Women with Infants

Women with infants should buy formula and store it--rotate it out if it is getting old with your newer formulas.  Keep distilled water in jugs as well.  It was awful to see Katrina babies sucking on orange soda in bottles.

I breastfed my second child but could not nurse my first baby.  If you are nursing, make sure you have an adequate supply of prenatals and clean water--you can't nurse well (without getting sick) if you are not taking in enough nutrients and water. If the pills make you sick, take them before bed.

If your child is old and does not take toddler formula, try storing juices (Gatorade) and water.  Dilute the juice with water.  This will make it last longer, or stock up on the water powders that include vitamins.  Stressed and thirsty children will drink things they do not ordinarily drink when resources are scarce and they are under stress.  Children will drink nasty water if their parents are unprepared, and this can cause serious infection.  

Keep some cups in a plastic bag in case of an emergency.

Also, have nonperishable snack and food options available.

Hydration is the most important thing in a disaster--stay hydrated.

Thick garbage bags can be used for human waste during an emergency.

I have OCD tendencies and worst thing in the world was dipping my basic training canteen in a garbage sack lined trashcan for water, but you can purify large amounts of water this way.  You can use purification tablets or chlorine.

I looked on Fema but was in a hurry and couldn't find info on purifying water, but maybe this from Wikipedia will be of help:

Chemical disinfection
Iodine is added to water as a solution, crystallized, or in tablets. The iodine kills many — but not all — of the most common pathogens present in natural fresh water sources. Carrying iodine for water purification is an imperfect but lightweight solution for those in need of field purification of drinking water. Kits are available in camping stores that include an iodine pill and a second pill (vitamin C or ascorbic acid) that will remove the iodine taste from the water after it has been disinfected.

Chlorine-based bleach may be used for emergency infection. Add 2 drops of 5% bleach per litre or quart of clear water, then let stand covered for 30 to 60 minutes. After this it may be left open to reduce the chlorine smell and taste. Guidelines are available online for dangerous and effective use of bleach. EPA, BC Health USAID is promoting a similar product (a sodium hypochlorite solution) which is sold in developing countries specifically for the purpose of drinking water infection.

Neither chlorine (e.g., bleach) nor iodine alone is considered effective against Cryptosporidium, and they are limited in effectiveness against human feces. Chlorine is slightly better than iodine against human feces.

[Skillful]

Thanks for your input chigirl29. It's much appreciated!