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This is an updated guide on emergency baby formula that we first wrote several years ago. We are not medical providers and none of the below is professional medical advice. Many medical professionals and the FDA advise against making homemade baby formula‚ so keep that in mind and do not use homemade formula if you have store-bought formula available. An emergency can be a stressful time‚ especially with a newborn. Running out of baby formula or breast milk can make it even more stressful. Luckily‚ there is an easy way to make emergency baby formula with pantry items that have a long shelf life. As a dad‚ having my infant prepared for emergencies was a priority. Luckily‚ Mom was around and provided breast milk whenever he was hungry. That is not always the case for everyone and some moms are forced to rely on formula. If there is a disruption in our food supply and the supermarket cannot stock enough formula‚ or if parents cannot reach the supermarket to get formula- what happens to the hungry babies? There may be some hope in the pantry… Contents (Jump to a Section) Evaporated Milk Baby Formula Recipe What Can I Substitute for Baby Formula? Don’t Substitute These for Baby Formula Can I Stock Up on Baby Formula? Baby Formula Shortages Sources and References Evaporated Milk Baby Formula Recipe Baby formula is made in high-tech labs and can’t be reproduced‚ right? Wrong. Widely available baby formula was not available until the 1950s. Baby formula has been used since the 1920s. So what did everyone do for those 30 years in between? They made their own emergency baby formula. The baby formula has a basic three-ingredient recipe: 12 OZ evaporated milk 18 OZ boiled water 2 TBSP corn syrup (or sugar) The ingredients are widely available‚ and you can even stock up on evaporated milk online. Both evaporated milk and sugar can last in the pantry for at least six months‚ which should carry you through all but the worst-case emergencies. The corn syrup was meant to stave off constipation. These days‚ health services suggest using sugar instead (Alaska DHSS) in homemade baby formulas. You can also tweak the amount of sugar based on your child’s needs. To follow the recipe‚ you simply combine the ingredients and thoroughly mix. If your infant is larger‚ you will want to proportionally increase the ingredients‚ making sure the ratios stay the same. This recipe helps babies gain weight but does miss out on some of the vitamins and nutrients store-bought formula provides. Vitamin supplements can always be added to the recipe to make up for any deficits. Because of the vitamin deficiencies in the homemade formula‚ some professionals advise that homemade formula should not be given to babies at all. This is an absurd blanket statement since you will obviously need to feed your baby if there are no other options. The concern about vitamin deficiencies should be emphasized that homemade baby formula is only a temporary solution for when it is absolutely needed. What Can I Substitute For Baby Formula? If find yourself really in a bind without formula or evaporated milk‚ a few other options could help you out. Breast milk‚ whole milk‚ and even goat’s milk can get the job done if life depends on it. Breast Milk – You may be thinking‚ “Well if I could provide breast milk I would”- but that is not the only source. Sure‚ you should consider inducing lactation if you are not completely sure that you cannot provide milk. If you are pregnant or have breastfed before‚ it can take between one and six weeks for milk to start producing. If it doesn’t work for Mom‚ you don’t necessarily need to give up. Any woman with mammary glands could make breast milk. It is‚ after all‚ what the glands are meant to do. If a woman has been pregnant in the past it is much easier‚ but almost any woman can create milk with some work. Having an infant nurse in regular intervals (even if it is not producing) can help draw the milk in. Whole Milk – Whole milk alone can cause some digestion issues‚ but for older babies‚ you can start phasing it in. Diluting whole milk with equal parts of water allows it to be substituted for the evaporated milk in the emergency baby formula recipe. Once your baby hits one year old‚ it is generally safe to switch them to undiluted whole milk anyway. Goat Milk – Goats have been a homesteading favorite due to their versatility and ruggedness. Milk from a goat can be used in an emergency. It isn’t recommended for long-term use (it is low in vitamins B12 and folic acid)‚ but it can get your baby much-needed sustenance if there is a disaster. These options may be tougher to come across during an emergency or disaster. Milk and formula are usually a few of the first things to sell out at a grocery store‚ goats are not exactly found everywhere‚ and it may be difficult to talk somebody into breastfeeding your baby. Stashing some evaporated milk in the pantry is definitely a good route to go when it comes to being prepared with your little one. Don’t Substitute These for Baby Formula When professionals talk about NOT using homemade baby formula‚ they often refer to other solutions- some of which aren’t even homemade. Either way‚ you should avoid using: Expired Baby Formula – Baby formula has a shelf life‚ and you should not keep or use formula past its shelf life since it can become dangerous to babies. Goat’s Milk w/ Honey – Adding honey to goat’s milk is a common recipe‚ but this can actually cause botulism poisoning. Diluted Formula – It can be tempting to cut the formula with water to make it last longer‚ but it’s not a good idea. Babies need milk and/or formula for a reason‚ and substituting this with too much water can quickly cause problems. Counterfeit Baby Formula – Yes‚ this is actually a thing. It is more common overseas‚ where the FDA does not have oversight. Make sure your baby formula is from a reputable manufacturer. There are plenty of other things you shouldn’t give your baby- but the ones above are the more common mistakes. Here are The Doctors talking about a lot of these alternatives and their risks‚ the FDA warnings‚ and what people should try to do in shortages: Can I Stock Up On Baby Formula? Of course you can‚ and that’s your best thought of the day! As we mentioned before‚ baby formula has a shelf life‚ but this shelf life can be up to 18 months- which should be more than enough to make it to the solid food stage. It is an excellent idea to have an emergency supply of baby food as a part of your emergency food supply. Even if the baby is being breastfed and you have extra breastmilk supply in the freezer you will want a shelf-stable option for an emergency. Cans of powder formula typically are the easiest to store with your long-term food storage. My kids are now both grown out of the breastmilk stage‚ but we stored Similac 30 oz cans in addition to keeping our freezer fully stocked with breastmilk. Baby Formula Shortages Baby formula shortages are not uncommon and have been an issue recently. The FDA is actively working with manufacturers to solve and prevent shortages in the formula supply chain. When we specify the recipe for emergencies‚ a temporary shortage isn’t what we have in mind. The emergency formula recipe should be your last resort when your baby is hungry and there are no other options‚ not just a choice of convenience. Even during widespread baby formulas‚ dialing 2-1-1 (in the US) can connect you to a community resource specialist to get you what you need. They are liaisons to: Food pantries Charities Food banks Many of these options supply infant formula and baby food specifically for these events and should be sought out well ahead of a homemade recipe. Sources and References Here are the sources I relied on while researching emergency baby formula for my kids and updates since then. Anderson‚ E.‚ et al. (2022). Special Edition – Homemade Infant Formula. Michigan State University; Center for Research on Ingredient Safety. (Source) American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Why Do Infants Need Baby Formula Instead of Cow’s Milk? Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. (Source) Chen‚ A. (2024). Comparison of Human Breast Milk Nutrition to Goat’s Milk &; Cow’s Milk. LiveStrong. (Source) The Final Word Prepping by storing evaporated milk for emergency baby formula is not a topic I thought I would cover when I created this blog‚ but fatherhood and understanding risks can change things. Other parents should be able to relate to how you want to protect and provide for your children- no matter the situation or disaster. It took some research for me to understand the importance of emergency baby formula‚ but I appreciated the chance to keep learning about prepping while improving my sons’ preparedness. You may also want to check out how prepared you are for other emergencies with your baby in tow: Kids’ Bug Out Bag | Gear List with Pro Tips How Being a New Father Shaped Me as a Prepper Survival Food List | Pantry Stockpile Plan and Checklist Keep exploring‚ stay prepared‚ and be safe. You’ve Been Missing Out Join the 2+ million preppers that rely on our prepping advice by subscribing to TruePrepper. Practical guides and tips Useful survival giveaways Free‚ forever <; 0.4% of people unsubscribe Thanks for subscribing‚ reading‚ and welcome to the club. The post How to Make Emergency Baby Formula appeared first on TruePrepper.

By the author of Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City and The Ultimate Survival Gear Handbook Streets and public spaces in large cities present a vast set of dangers and threats‚ even in more civilized and safer countries. That’s because criminals‚ predators‚ and deranged and evil people are present in greater numbers in urban agglomerations; the higher density of people and infrastructure means more opportunities for lawbreakers. That’s becoming more evident today with the masses of “cultural enrichers” invading North America‚ the UK‚ and mainland Europe. But that’s not all: people everywhere are also losing their minds‚ thanks to the crisis and instability‚ causing friction and violence to rise. I believe this mass insanity will get worse as time passes. This time‚ I wanted to go beyond the typical “situational awareness” advice and provide more practical and direct actions to improve personal safety‚ navigate big city streets‚ and deal with various situations and unwanted players. #1 – USEFUL LIES It’s perfectly fine to lie and create distractions and misdirections when dealing with strangers. When staying silent isn’t an option‚ use as few words as necessary. The more we talk‚ the more we give away or complicate ourselves‚ so keep it short so as not to get trapped in complex stories or contradict yourself. – Don’t reveal your address.  When an app or taxi driver asks if you “live here‚” say‚ “No‚ I’m just visiting a friend.” If possible‚ ask them to stop a few meters before or after your destination‚ maybe walk a block or two if your sixth sense tells you something’s off. – You’re never alone. This is great for women who are approached by a stranger or group‚ but it also works for men‚ depending on the situation. When someone tries to start a conversation by asking if you are accompanied (or whatever)‚ just reply‚ “Yes‚ my husband/father/friend is here with me.” – Never provide personal information. When someone asks‚ “Do you work here?” “What’s your profession?” or inquires about personal information‚ casually give vague replies such as “I work in commerce.” Another appropriate reply I’ve used successfully is‚ “I just got fired and am looking for a job.” – Never reveal your personal status and financial condition. It’s silly to try and pass as dispossessed‚ but if a stranger starts probing (inquiring about your stuff)‚ for instance‚ if your watch‚ purse‚ or piece of jewelry is genuine‚ tell them it’s a cheap knock-off in a nonchalant tone. – You’re a savvy local. If someone asks you‚ “Is this your first time here?” you can just say‚ “No‚ I’m from here‚” and go on your way. If they insist‚ tell them you’re expecting someone and want to be alone to cut the conversation. Try not to look like a tourist. Search places and get directions beforehand to avoid browsing a smartphone in public areas. – Be vague‚ play dumb‚ and ask questions. People are afraid to pass for fools‚ and some street folks know how to take advantage of that. Acting a little loony can be useful in some situations. Shooting back with questions is another great way to deflect and uncover information simultaneously without sounding menacing or intrusive. When it comes to delivery‚ be playful and relaxed or firm and decided‚ depending on how you choose to act. Here’s more advice on how not to give out personal information. #2 – ASSERT A BOUNDARY A boundary is for your protection‚ so forget about someone else’s feelings. Get comfortable making people uncomfortable once they cross your boundaries. Be assertive: Don’t ask‚ don’t wait for further advancements‚ and be direct (“I need you to take a step away‚” “I need to leave now”)‚ firmly but without sounding nervous or raising your voice. Daisy wrote more about this here. #3 – BE PATIENT We live in an era of instant gratification and short attention spans. But some things can be rushed in the streets‚ and many others cannot. The situation has a vote: It dictates what we can (or should) and cannot (or shouldn’t) do. When I’m out there as a homeless person‚ I have to bide my time and wait for the right opportunity to do something I want or need all the time. It’s a good exercise‚ so much so that I talk about it in my street survival training book. #4 – BE OBSERVANT Most people walking in public spaces or riding in buses and trains might be somewhat aware of their surroundings and not with their heads in the clouds‚ but that’s different from being actively observant. Paying close attention to details and the environment can be a superpower‚ improving our safety and other aspects of our lives. It requires focus‚ commitment‚ and being fully 100% in the moment. It’s a skill that can be developed and improved with practice. For instance‚ when riding in a taxi‚ memorize the color‚ license plate‚ and any outstanding details. It’s OK to take a picture if that helps or you cannot memorize everything at the moment‚ but keep paying attention: How is the car inside and outside? Does the driver have tattoos? Are they tidy and well-presented? Does he or she look intoxicated? Calm‚ nervous‚ or agitated? Another example: when riding a bus or train‚ take a look before grabbing a handle or taking a seat. Does it look stained or wet? Is there something under the seat‚ a backpack‚ a paper bag‚ or any suspicious object? #5 – USE EMPATHY TECHNIQUES In the streets‚ it’s not uncommon to negotiate something or persuade someone to settle or find a solution to a problem‚ dispute‚ contentious matter‚ or even get out of trouble. Advanced empathy techniques can work well for that and lots more. They can be imperceptible and highly effective if applied properly and subtly to come out naturally. Some say that’s manipulation‚ but if your safety and well-being are at risk then who cares‚ anything is acceptable. Consider this an introduction. Advanced social engineering techniques are a complex and extensive subject‚ but it is worth reading a few books and practicing to improve these valuable skills. – Mirroring The act of unconsciously copying another person’s gesture‚ speech pattern‚ or attitude is known as mirroring‚ and it can help someone establish a connection with others. Another name for it is the chameleon effect. Mirroring can help build rapport with the person being mirrored by making them feel more connected to the person displaying the mirrored behavior. The two people in the scenario may think they have comparable attitudes and beliefs because they use similar nonverbal cues. Individuals experience a stronger sense of engagement and belonging as a result. – Reading people I’ve already gone over the importance of street reading for urban survival here on The Organic Prepper for city dwellers. People-reading is another valuable skill‚ as we inevitably encounter situations where we must deal with another person or even a group of persons. Some people are natural-born “people readers.” It’s a talent‚ a very useful one. Good sales and businesspeople are two examples (politicians are another‚ unfortunately). But it’s perfectly possible to train and develop this ability. Sales and business courses‚ as well as police academies‚ usually teach techniques of what to look for and listen to when interacting with others. But it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. It’s possible to become a good people reader just by observing people with attention and open mind. Humans are overly self-centered‚ which keeps us from becoming good at listening and reading others. Once we let our ego aside and dedicate ourselves to understanding and seeing others for what they are – without judgment‚ bias‚ prejudice‚ etc. – it starts coming. – Reverse psychology Reverse psychology is a persuasion tactic that involves advocating or pushing for a behavior different from the desired outcome. In other words‚ we say the opposite of what we want to encourage the other person to do what we actually want. It works based on a psychological phenomenon known as reactance‚ which is having a strong negative reaction to someone attempting to persuade us. As a result‚ we do the opposite of what they are trying to persuade us to do in an unconscious effort to assert our independence and autonomy. Parents‚ lovers‚ and marketers might know this well—or not. We use this strategy on others all the time and fall for it‚ too‚ often without even realizing it. Usually‚ the target of this strategy is unaware of what is going on and may not be completely aware of the other person’s true intentions. #6 – BONUS: 15 Short rules to survive in the big city Nothing in the streets is personal‚ so don’t take anything personally. If someone bumps‚ attacks‚ or shouts at you‚ it’s because the attacker is either (a) having a bad day‚ (b) mentally ill (or on drugs)‚ or (c) wants something from you (a robber‚ beggar‚ solicitor‚ etc). Ignoring and moving away is the best strategy. Step back in avoidable danger. Step up in unavoidable danger. Stereotyping can keep you safer than a firearm: be wary of suspicious types‚ but don’t neglect or make things easier for anyone‚ regardless of sex‚ age‚ size‚ appearance‚ uniform‚ or whatever. Ignore all PC bullsh*t if you want to stay alive. Trust your instincts and always err on the safe side. Decaying infrastructure can be a hazard. Keep your head on a swivel‚ but scan ahead and pay attention to where you’re going. In the streets‚ we command things by the way we conduct ourselves. Opt for non-verbal language to communicate your intentions. You don’t have to respond‚ argue‚ justify‚ or pontificate. When in doubt‚ remember that silence can’t be misquoted. Stay in control of yourself. When having a conversation‚ keep your voice low and delivery calm‚ paced. If you start feeling nervous‚ pause and‚ slow down‚ pay attention to your breathing. Nodding is a way to let someone know you notice their presence. If you must acknowledge a stranger (for whatever reason)‚ nod down. It’s more formal and doesn’t look defiant. If you know the person‚ it’s OK to raise your chin and nod up. This works in most Western cultures and places. Never stop moving. If you must stop to browse your phone or take a call or whatever‚ turn your back to a building or wall facing the sidewalk‚ give a 360 look‚ and be quick. Or enter a safe place. Jaywalking is OK if it’s safer than standing still waiting to crosswalk. Don’t look at anyone. Eye contact means you acknowledge the other person. The exception is when you want to let someone know you noticed them for some reason‚ for instance‚ to disarm a surprise attack you see coming (see “nod up vs. nod down” above). Stay alert for situations in which every second counts. These are the exceptions but matter the most. The rest‚ not so much‚ so chill. To keep strangers from getting close‚ extend an arm with the hand open in their direction and say “can’t stop now” in a firm tone and go your way. Wear shoes you can run in. If you must wear high heels or formal shoes for work or an event‚ arrive and leave in sneakers. Keep your head down when riding the subway or bus. Don’t stare. If you must look at something or someone without being noticed‚ use reflective surfaces (e.g.‚ windows‚ storefronts‚ your smartphone‚ etc.).  Get more advice on public transit safety here. What are your thoughts? Do you have any tips or suggestions to add to this? If you must be in the city‚ do you have any personal rules you abide by? What advice would you give to someone who was going to some type of event or appointment in the city? Are you an urban dweller yourself? Do you disagree with any of Fabian’s advice? Let’s discuss it in the comments section. About Fabian Fabian Ommar is a 50-year-old middle-class worker living in São Paulo‚ Brazil. Far from being the super-tactical or highly trained military survivor type‚ he is the average joe who since his youth has been involved with self-reliance and outdoor activities and the practical side of balancing life between a big city and rural/wilderness settings. Since the 2008 world economic crisis‚ he has been training and helping others in his area to become better prepared for the “constant‚ slow-burning SHTF” of living in a 3rd world country. Fabian’s ebook‚ Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City ‚ is a practical training method for common city dwellers based on the lifestyle of the homeless (real-life survivors) to be more psychologically‚ mentally‚ and physically prepared to deal with the harsh reality of the streets during normal or difficult times. He’s also the author of The Ultimate Survival Gear Handbook. You can follow Fabian on Instagram @stoicsurvivor The post Advanced Urban Survival Skills EVERYONE Should Have appeared first on The Organic Prepper.

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