Parenting in a Power Outage: Hacks to Help you Prepare

Here in southern Manitoba, we're prepping for what they're forecasting as "the worst storm in decades".

Considering it was only a few years ago that I was holed up at my parents house with an 8 month old and no power for 4 days, I've learnt that it's much easier to prepare beforehand! 

Get your sound machines ready

Just like loud sounds can wake someone up, so can the sudden absence of sound. So if the power goes out in the middle of the night, it can startle your little one awake and nobody wants that! I recommend charging up your sound machines, spare devices that have white noise apps, or adding batteries to your devices' battery backup. My favorite hack for if you're stressed and your sound machine doesn't have that capability is to get a clock radio (they often have battery backup) and set it between AM stations for white noise!

This is actually the reason I use portable sound machines over "home" versions, they're usually less expensive, just as loud (or as loud as you'd ever need them to go), and have battery backup! My favorite is the Dreamegg D11, it's the one I use for my kiddos and I have a code for you to save on yours too! SLEEPYBUNNY10 will save you 10% off any Dreamegg product (not just sound machines!). *FYI this is an affiliate link 

Ensure your kids will be warm 

If the power goes out and you don't have any heat, it may start to get chilly in your kids room at night. A few things that you can do are have a sleepover so the whole family is in one room, use a pack-n-play if you don't bedshare and your little one is in a crib or make a floor bed for everyone. Ensure you're always following safe sleep guidelines. 

Most importantly, ensure you're dressing your kiddos for a cooler sleep. On these nights I put Jack in his Ry and Pen sleep sack, their merino wool blends are just perfect at keeping kiddos warm without overheating them! If you want to check them out for yourself (their bamboo blend is amazing for summer also!), use code SLEEPYBUNNY to save 20% off of any Ry and Pen sleepsacks, pj's, blankets or sheets. *This is another affiliate code 

If your child is less than 1 year old, add an extra layer (ie. a onesie underneath their footed jammies) and/or putting them in a warmer sleep sack (with a higher TOG). 

If your child is over 12 months, you can add layers and a warmer sleep sack as well as adding an extra blanket for them to snuggle with. 

Prep your Freezer

Freeze some water in any type of container and place a penny or small rock on top (anything that'll sink) to help you if the power does go out and comes back on. If the penny sinks, you'll have an idea how warm the freezer got even if it's already frozen again because if it did get warm, the penny will have sunk and now be lower than the top. Also, try not to open the freezer any more than you need to!

This is especially helpful if you have frozen breastmilk. According to Lynette Beard of @theuntiedlatch, as long as your breastmilk still has ice crystals in it, it's re-freezable!

Prepare your kids

Especially for toddlers and young children, let them know that the power might go out and what that might mean. Their toddler clock might not work, they might not get to watch Bluey in the morning, might not be able to have a full, warm bath before bed at night, they might not go to daycare and see their friends. Letting them be emotionally prepared can really help minimize meltdowns. 

Charge up your lights

Now's the time to pull out your solar patio lights and unfortunately not because it's time for a deck party. They're a great way to ensure you've got some light when the sun goes down. Putting batteries in flashlights and getting a small, flashlight to help your child get to the bathroom in the middle of the night is another good idea. Make sure your kids flashlights are light enough that they can carry them easily in their small hands and practice getting them to turn it on on their own in the light and when it's dark so they will know how to do it when they need it. 

I hope this helps you prepare for life with babies, toddlers or children in the event of a power outage. 

Stay warm and sleep well!

Jessica 

Your Sleep Coach