Prepping isn’t just for the crazy mountain man who lives alone in a bunker. The average suburban mother should become a prepper – especially if she is the mother of a newborn. If you’re like most people, prepping with a newborn baby can seem overwhelming.
You might not know where to start or what to stock up on. Lucky for you, in this article, you will learn the benefits of and reasons for prepping, how to prep, and staying the course of prepping, all without living by yourself in a bunker! (Well, actually, after having kids, that alone time might not sound like such a bad idea!)
What is Prepping?
Let’s start with what it isn’t, shall we? Prepping isn’t about waiting for the zombie apocalypse to occur. To be a prepper, you don’t have to own a bunker full of guns, ammo, food, and water. Being a prepper simply means you are preparing for inevitable negative events.
Most of these events can seem minor and are likely to be something we all face at least once in our lives. They don’t have to be the world-ending nuclear war we see in the movies.
Parents of newborns should practice prepping to face the stresses that come with having children. When you have life’s basic necessities on hand, that is just one less thing with which to be concerned.
5 Benefits Of Prepping as a Parent
As a parent we all worry about our kids. This worry is magnified when they are newborns unable to do anything for themselves. Prepping won’t eliminate your worries but it will help lessen them because of the following benefits.
You’re Prepared for Most Situations
Knowing that you are prepared for common scenarios and likely disasters will help you sleep at night. Not that you’ll be getting much sleep with a newborn, but you can take advantage of it when you get the chance!
You Will Save Money
When prepping you will purchase multiple discounted items in order to stock up on the essentials. Some items you might be able to resale and make money. You can use the extra money to save up for your child’s college fund.
You Will Waste Less
As a society, we waste an unimaginable amount of food and other necessities. You can give your children a positive example to follow and contribute less to the wastefulness so prevalent today by prepping.
You Can Reconnect With Your Spouse
Prepping will force you to communicate with your spouse in ways you may never have before or have forgotten. You will need to be intentional about connecting with your spouse with a newborn in the house. Prepping can help you be an example of a healthy relationship for your children.
You Will Model Responsibility
If you want your kids to be responsible when they grow up, modeling what responsible adults look like is the perfect start. As they age, you can then give them some prepping responsibilities to continue to develop their responsibleness.
READ MORE: The Importance Of Planning For An Emergency
5 Reasons To Become a Prepper as a Newborn Parent
If you’re still not convinced you should start prepping with a newborn, here are five of the many reasons to begin today.
Natural Disasters
Even if you’re confident the zombie apocalypse will never happen, you will probably have to face a natural disaster in your life because of climate change. Whether it is a flood, fire, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or blizzard, it’s best to have supplies on hand to help ease the stress of these events.
Protect Against the Effects of Job Loss
As much as we all pretend our jobs are secure, there is always a possibility of losing our jobs for several reasons. While prepping won’t keep you from losing your job, it will help you keep food on the table and diapers on your baby until you can find another job.
Protect Against Financial Insecurity
You might think this is a little redundant, but job loss isn’t the only event that could cause financial insecurity. The stock market could crash, or you might have to replace a car. Having a stockpile of the necessities for your family will help ease the stress when those events happen.
Protection from Basic Medical Emergencies
Prepping is not a substitute for going to a medical professional. Having a first aid kit available and knowing how to properly use it will help the injured person survive the emergency.
Protection against Violent Criminals
Prepping not only consists of stockpiling food and medical supplies, but you should also develop the skills needed to defend yourself and your family. This might mean purchasing a firearm and taking a class on using it properly, or you might take self-defense classes.
READ MORE: Packing a 72-Hour Emergency Bag for Your Family
How to Prep With A Newborn Baby
Prepping requires a lot of meticulous planning. With a baby, you will need to be even more detailed with your plans and purchase items that preppers without a newborn don’t. However, it’s not so different that it’s unrecognizable.
The items your baby needs:
- The correct size of diapers.
- Baby wipes, baby shampoo, and other baby-friendly cleaning products
- Food, whether that is breast milk, formula, or baby food
- Bottles
- Bibs
- Burp cloths
- Hand sanitizer
- Clothes
- Blankets
- Toys
- Baby first aid kit (yes, it will be different from a first aid kit for you)
You will need multiples of many of these items. Often you will receive multiples of each item at a baby shower, so you might not have to purchase all of them.
Prepping on a Tight Budget
For the average parent of a newborn, your budget becomes exponentially smaller the moment your baby is born. So how in the world are you supposed to afford extra items on top of the basic groceries costs? Begin with making a budget. You will know how much you should spend, so you don’t overspend on things you don’t desperately need. Planning is where prepping always begins.
Start With The Basics
You will always need food and water, no matter what situation you face. Don’t waste your hard-earned money on foods you won’t eat or that don’t have a long shelf life. A nuclear bomb-proof bunker is not a basic necessity either.
Determine the Most Important Non-essentials
These are things that make life easier, but you don’t need them to survive. Ask each family member to contribute. Obviously, you can’t ask a baby what they want. However, you can easily think of a few items that make life easier for you and your child.
READ MORE: Create A Self Care Kit & Prepare to Pamper Yourself With These 25 Essentials
Maintaining the Prepper Lifestyle With a Baby
Prepping will not benefit you unless you make it a way of life. You certainly don’t have to become a hoarder of everything to be prepared for likely adverse events. Keeping your eye out for good deals on the items you use most and stocking up on those items when you can will do wonders for your preps.
We’re in this for the long haul, so you don’t have to have an enormous stockpile by tomorrow. Take your time, build up your preps with the things you need most, and then move on to the less critical items on your prep list.
Once you’ve built up your preps, you can resupply as you use them or as you come across deals you simply can’t pass up. As your baby grows, their needs will change. Your prepping will have to mature as your child matures.
It’s never a bad idea to be thinking ahead and begin stocking up on items your baby will need shortly but doesn’t need at their current age. Practicing your plans and newly developed skills is the best way to maintain the prepper lifestyle. Plan, prepare, practice the plan, and repeat!
Many parents are naturally preppers. We want what is best for our kids, so we prepare to set them up for success no matter the situation. However, a true prepper takes it a few steps further. They plan, prepare, and practice the plan.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Once you’ve read this article and made your list, it’s time to start prepping! Here’s another step you can take to ensure your family is ready if an emergency arises. Read Vial Of L.I.F.E. (Lifesaving Information For Emergencies).
💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖
Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be!
GET MORE FROM DAILY MOM, PARENTS PORTAL
Newsletter: Daily Mom delivered to you
Facebook: @DailyMomOfficial
Instagram: @DailyMomOfficial | @DailyMomTravel | @BestProductsClub
YouTube: @DailyMomVideos
Pinterest: @DailyMomOfficial
📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌
