Mom’s Sick Kid Kit for the Car

I don’t know why this particular problem has hit us with a vengeance over the last year, but both of our kids have thrown up in the car more than once…I think we’re at a total of at least five vomit incidents since last Fall. Sometimes, it was thanks to a tummy bug or virus, other times, it was baby spit up, and once it was just a mysterious coughing-fit-turned-vomit mishap. And for some reason, I’ve been alone and in the middle nowhere 75% of the time when it happened.

There’s just nothing like pulling over to tend to your sick kids while attempting to clean your disgusting vehicle. Here’s what I did to make it easier for any future issues, and I have to say it’s a huge comfort having this in the car! You know what they say about carrying an umbrella? Let’s hope after I make this I never see vomit again. (Sorry for repeating that word over and over.)

Of course, when you are on the road with a sick little one, you won’t be able to completely clean up any messes…you’ll just need to get the worst of it taken care of so you can focus on helping out your child while also getting home. Here’s how I created a kit to do just that.

The Supplies

In my kit, I have:

Swaddlers

I changed how I use swaddlers once I had a baby with acid reflux. Gone are the days when I used them to make my newborn snug and sleepy. Now, they are a great part of this kit because they have proven themselves to be excellent at wiping up big messes (again and again). You can also use a swaddler as a giant bib, to cover up your kiddo in case of future issues. Plus, they are just comforting and can act as a blankie even in the summer, because they are light.

Cheap Kids’ Clothes

You’ll want some clean clothes that you don’t care about as a backup for your kids. You can grab something you already have, or get something from Goodwill or Walmart if need be. Look for clothes that are comfy.

A Diaper and Pull-Up

Pull-Ups could come in handy for kids of any age who are having diarrhea. Sorry, but I had to say it. At least one backup diaper is great for little ones who aren’t potty trained yet in any situation.

Powerade, Pedialyte, and/or a Water Bottle

It’s all about hydration and replacing electrolytes when it comes to tummy troubles, so throw one of these in your bag as well to really cover your bases.

Kleenex, Paper Towels, and Baby Wipes

A small travel pack of Kleenex can really come in handy with all kinds of sickness. I also threw in a few paper towels for bigger messes.

I always have baby wipes with me in my diaper bag, but this is just in case I’m low, don’t have my bag, or for any other unforeseeable reason. Baby wipes come in handy for everything–not just bottoms, but wiping up hands, clothes, car upholstery, and, well, you get the idea. I plan on having baby wipes in my car at all times for basically the rest of my life.

Children’s Acetaminophen

For fevers, aches, and pains, of course! There have been several times when I wished I had some with me. I try not to overdo it, but when my daughter is teething I give her a dose before bedtime, and I don’t always remember to have this on hand.

Essential Oil Spray

Last fall, I threw these pretty, tiny glass spray bottles in my cart on Amazon, and I’m so glad I did. I was able to create little travel sprays that work wonders for disinfecting the air, soothing upset kiddos, and adding a nice scent where there once was something unmentionable. Here’s a quick recipe if you’re interested in making these too.

Simple Essential Oil Spray for Travel

10 oz. water (these bottles hold 10 oz.)

7 drops lavender

3 drops peppermint

Just shake and spray in the front air vents of the car so it carries to the back where your kiddos are. Do not spray directly on your child, of course. 🙂

A Wet Bag and Trash Bag

You’ll need a wet bag for storing clothes to be washed, and a trash bag for throwing away used wipes, Kleenex, and paper towels. You can see I got real technical here with my “wet bag”.

Extras

Bonus points for throwing in all the extras you can think of…like Tums, band-aids, or hand sanitizer.

Choose Your Container

You might like to store fragile or small things in a little container within your kit. I used a small container (confession: a plastic take-out container that’s surprisingly sturdy and comes with a lid) for the essential oil spray (wrapped in a paper towel), Kleenex, medicine, and extra paper towels. They fit in there perfectly!

Gather everything you have and then decide what you’d like to put it in. I could tell my things would fit pretty easily in a good ol’ cloth shopping bag. If you prefer a plastic bin, go for it!

And, if you’re worried about extreme temperatures affecting medications, just check that handy old label. Using a bag like this means I can grab it quickly to move it out of the car on insanely hot or cold days.

Once you’ve made this kit, you should be ready to handle almost anything your kids can throw at you…figuratively speaking, of course. I’ve got mine ready for our day trips and I hope I never have to use it.

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