Power outage with a baby or toddler: formula, safe water, warmth and sleep

The short version for the first night

Many outages are short, but plan as if this one may not be. For a baby, the things to get right are feeding, clean water, a safe place to sleep and a comfortable temperature. This guide goes through each one using the CDC's emergency feeding pages and other official sources, and says where official advice stops.

For the rest of the house, see our power outage checklist and food safety in a power outage.

Formula: ready-to-feed first, powdered second

The CDC says: "For families who need infant formula during or after an emergency, ready-to-feed (RTF) infant formula is the safest option." RTF formula is sterile liquid that you can feed without adding water. It does not need to be refrigerated until it is opened.

Powdered formula is not sterile. The CDC says that if your baby is less than 2 months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system, it is especially important to use ready-to-feed formula in any emergency. For these babies, the CDC's "Infant Formula Preparation and Storage" page also says to boil the water for mixing and wait about 5 minutes before mixing it with powder, so it is hot enough to kill germs, then let the bottle cool before feeding.

If you do use powder, use the exact amount of water and formula on the container. The CDC says: "Do not dilute infant formula." Too much water may not meet a baby's nutritional needs, and too little can cause dehydration. The CDC also says not to make or feed homemade infant formula.

Safe water for mixing

In an emergency, the CDC says bottled water is the safest choice for mixing powdered formula, until local authorities say the tap water is safe to drink. If you have no bottled water, boil water for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet), let it cool, then mix; for the youngest or higher-risk babies, see the note on powder above. Disinfected water is the next choice. Our guide to making water safe has the steps.

The CDC adds that water contaminated with harmful chemicals cannot be made safe by boiling, disinfecting or filtering. In that case, use bottled water or ready-to-feed formula and follow local public health advice.

We did not find an official infant-specific water amount. Ready.gov's general rule is 1 gallon per person per day for several days, and it says that "children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water." See how much water to store.

Fresh bottles, and what to do about cleaning

The CDC's rule for prepared formula is to use it within 1 hour from the start of a feeding and within 2 hours of preparation. Throw out whatever is left after the feeding and do not refrigerate it to save for later. The CDC says that during a power outage you may not have a working refrigerator, so prepare fresh formula for every feeding.

Bottles and nipples are hard to clean without safe water. The CDC says that when you have no safe water or cleaning supplies, feed your baby from a disposable cup, used once and thrown away. This works for formula and for expressed breast milk. Boiled or disinfected water is fine for cleaning feeding items when you have it. For your own hands, the CDC says to use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if water is not safe for handwashing.

Never warm formula in a microwave. The CDC says it creates hot spots, and that formula does not need to be warmed at all.

Breast milk and pumping

The CDC says to plan to continue breastfeeding through emergencies and calls it the safest way to feed a child during one. If you use an electric pump, learn to hand express, or keep a manual pump, since both work without electricity.

For milk already stored, the CDC says a full freezer that stays closed keeps food safe for about 48 hours, and a half-full one about 24 hours. Milk with ice crystals in it is still considered frozen and can be refrozen. Milk that has completely thawed but still feels cold goes in the refrigerator and is used within the next day, or thrown away. The CDC's rule: "when in doubt, throw it out."

The CDC lists a free National Women's Health and Breastfeeding Helpline at 1-800-994-9662, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6 pm ET, with specialists in English or Spanish.

Keeping a baby warm, or cool, and sleep

The CDC and NIH's Safe to Sleep campaign give the same advice for cold nights: keep blankets, pillows and soft toys out of the sleep area, and dress baby in a wearable blanket or an extra layer of clothing. The CDC says a sleep sack is a safe alternative if you are worried about your baby getting cold. NIH also warns against overbundling and says to watch for sweating, red or hot skin, or a hot chest.

Sharing an adult bed or couch is not an official answer to a cold house. NIH says: "Room sharing by putting baby's sleep space near but not in your bed is safer than sharing your bed with baby." We found no official page that recommends bed-sharing for warmth.

In heat, the CDC says to dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing, to make sure they are drinking fluids, and never to leave them in a parked car, even with the windows open. The CDC says: "Don't rely solely on fans to keep you cool." It also says to seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter if conditions are too hot or too cold, and Ready.gov says to check with local officials about open heating and cooling locations. Our stay warm without power and extreme heat safety guides cover the rest.

Carbon monoxide, generators and candles

These lines are official wording, because this is where an outage becomes a real safety issue. CDC: "Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent." CDC: "Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper." Ready.gov: "Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home."

Ready.gov says: "Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home." CPSC says to install battery-operated alarms or alarms with battery backup on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. If anyone shows signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, CPSC says to get outside to fresh air and call 911. CDC lists Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. See our carbon monoxide guide and generator safety.

For light, the CDC says to use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns rather than candles. If you use candles, Ready.gov says to keep them at least 12 inches from anything that can burn and never leave children alone near them.

What to have on hand for a baby

Here are the main items from the CDC's two emergency lists for babies and toddlers; most are already in your house:

• Diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Ready-to-feed infant formula in single-serving cans or bottles, plus bottled water for mixing
• Disposable cups, dishes and feeding spoons
• A manual breast pump, if you pump
• A portable crib, an infant thermometer and extra baby clothes
• Age-appropriate nonperishable baby food and snacks; for toddlers, spare clothes, shoes and potty-training supplies