Babies and toddlers rely on their caregivers during emergencies, and just like adults, they can show stress in different ways. It can be hard to manage your own heightened stress during an emergency while also taking care of babies and toddlers.
To make things easier on you and your children, include them in your bushfire plan. Find out what to pack for your children during a bushfire and how to help them feel safe and comfortable in a scary situation.
Key Points
- Bushfire planning is different when you have babies and toddlers at home. You need to take more time to prepare.
- Make a plan to leave early and pack an emergency kit for everyone in your family. Remember to update it as your children grow.
- Go to a friend or family member's home instead of a relief centre, if you can. Relief centres can be crowded, loud, and stressful.
- Regularly check and practise your plan to make sure it works well.
- Stress might change how babies and toddlers eat, but it doesn’t affect milk production for breastfeeding mothers.
- A flexible bushfire plan will help you remember what to do during an emergency.
A guide for families with babies and toddlers
In emergencies, babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable because they have special nutritional needs, weak immune systems, and are more likely to get hot, dehydrated, or cold.
They also rely completely on others for care. This can make things harder for their caregivers, particularly mothers who may be pregnant, have just had a baby, or are breastfeeding.
Be ready to act fast in bushfire season
Make a list of what you'll need to pack if you need to leave your home quickly. Getting ready ahead of time will make it less stressful. Pack what you can ahead of bushfire season and keep a list of other things to grab when you need to leave in your phone.
Babies and toddlers grow fast, so update your list of what to take and the contents of your emergency bags often. Fires can start and spread on any day during the fire season, even if it's not a day of higher fire risk.
When the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early is always the safest option. Plan to leave the night before or early in the morning of a high fire risk day.
Make your plan ahead of time
Make your bushfire plan before bushfire season starts. During summer, be ready to put your plan into action and leave early if a fire starts nearby or if it gets very hot, dry, and windy. Without a plan, it might be hard to get ready to go or to make safe choices. If you're already tired from taking care of your babies and toddlers, or if you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or breastfeeding, having a plan will help.
Know what to expect in an emergency
During bushfires, it can be hard to access things like clean water, electricity, gas, medicine, healthcare, transportation, and phone service. Having a clear bushfire plan will help you think clearly and stay focused, even when things get stressful and supplies are running low.
Bushfire planning tips from the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) has helpful videos and resources for parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers. In this video, learn six simple steps to help you prepare your family for bushfires and other natural disasters.
Six steps to prepare for bushfires with babies and toddlers
1. Plan to leave early
Plan to leave early, before a fire arrives. Leaving early means less interruption to your routine and more control over your choices. It also helps you avoid heavy traffic and closed roads, making it safer and less stressful for you and your children. Never wait for an official warning to leave. Learn how to stay informed of fires across your area. Know your trigger to leave and take action straight away.
2. Pack an emergency kit
Pack an emergency kit for everyone in your home. Check out the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)'s evacuation kit lists to see what to pack for:
Parents and caregivers of young children, ages 0 to 4, who shared their experiences during the 2019–20 bushfires said it would have been helpful to make a plan before the fire season started and to prepare emergency kits for their families ahead of time.
Pack enough food and supplies to care for your children for at least three days. At a relief centre, there might not be access to shops, power or clean water. It's better to pack too much than not have enough.
3. Decide where to go
If you can, go to a friend or family member's home in a low fire risk area instead of a relief centre. Children usually cope better in emergencies if they can have some routine, and this is often easier in a quiet and familiar place.
Relief centres can be uncomfortable places for babies and toddlers, as they can be loud and crowded. They usually don't have special areas for younger children to feed, sleep, and settle.
If you can't go to a friend or family member's home, a relief centre is still the safest choice since it keeps you away from any fires. Just remember that it might be stressful there, and it can be hard to keep an eye on a toddler who might wander off while you’re also looking after a baby, especially if you’re by yourself.
4. Know how you'll get there
Think about how you will get to your first choice of destination and what you will do if your normal route is blocked or unsafe. Look for alternative roads you can take, and make sure your car has enough fuel (or is charged, if you have an electric vehicle) during bushfire season. This way, you can leave quickly in an emergency.
5. Tell people your plans
Decide who you will tell if you have to leave your home because of a bushfire. Also, think about who you will let know that you are safe once you get to where you're going. It’s a good idea to share your bushfire plan with the most important people in your life. This way, they won’t worry, try to frantically reach you, or put themselves in danger if a fire happens in your area.
6. Make backup plans
Always have backup plans in case your first plan doesn't work out. Think about other ways to get around and places you can be safe. Talk to your neighbours, friends, or family to see if they can help you if you can't drive, or if the place you want to go is no longer an option.
Caring for babies and toddlers away from home
Babies and toddlers may not understand the danger of a bushfire, but they can sense their caregivers' stress. They may become clingier than usual or act out because their routine is not normal.
Feeding babies and toddlers on the go
Feeding babies and toddlers can be challenging in an unfamiliar environment. ABA has fact sheets that give helpful tips on how to feed and care for your baby safely if you need to leave your home in a hurry.
Changes in feeding and behaviour
You may see changes in how much your baby or toddler wants to eat or be comforted. Depending on how old they are and how they are fed, they may want to eat more often, be held more, or wake up more at night.
These changes usually happen because of stress in their surroundings, and they will get better once things settle down. If you have any worries or need help, you can talk to a counsellor at the National Breastfeeding Helpline, no matter how you are feeding your child.
Breastfeeding during an emergency
Breastfeeding can help your baby or toddler feel safe and comforted during an emergency. However, you might notice changes in their behaviour before and after the event.
Stress won't reduce your milk supply
For breastfeeding mothers, it can be stressful when babies or toddlers change their feeding or sleeping habits. If this happens, keep offering breastfeeds. Stress won't affect your milk production, but it may slow down how quickly the milk comes out, which can make babies fussy. Focus on your baby and think about how much you love them. This connection can help you relax and may make it easier for your milk to flow.
How to help babies and toddlers cope
Try to stay calm and reassure them. Children look to adults for comfort. Focus on the small positives and let them know everything will be okay. You could say things like, “We have a plan to stay together” or “We are all safe.”
Encourage older toddlers to say how they feel. Ask them if they are “worried,” “scared,” “angry,” or “sad.” Remind them that things may be different for a while, but it’s important to be hopeful.
Explore free online storybooks, videos and resources from Children's Health Queensland to help young children and their families cope with bushfires.
Update your plan as babies and toddlers get bigger
Update your plan whenever your life changes. Young children grow fast. Review the emergency kit for each child in your home as they get bigger, at least every six months. Make sure the clothes in their emergency kit will fit them and go through your bushfire plan together as a family.
Following your plan on high risk days
On days when there is a high risk of fire near you, take these steps to keep yourself and your children safe:
- Check the Fire Danger Rating and the weather forecast for the next few days. You can see Fire Danger Ratings up to four days ahead. Remember, hot, dry, and windy weather can be very dangerous.
- Check the fire restrictions for your area. CFA will declare a Total Fire Ban on days when fires can spread quickly and may be hard to control.
- Set up a watch zone for your location in the VicEmergency app. It will let you know about any fire warnings or incidents near where you are.
- Put your plan to leave early into action when the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic.
Looking after babies and toddlers when you return home
Caring for babies and toddlers after a bushfire can be challenging. They may need extra attention and support during this time. When you get back home, you may notice they want to be fed more often, wake up more at night, or want to stay close to you. These behaviours usually get better as things return to normal.
Where to get mental health and wellbeing support
You may find it hard to care for your baby or toddler or struggle with your own feelings during or after a bushfire. Talk to your maternal health nurse or doctor. It's okay to ask family and friends for extra help. Give yourself time to feel better.
If you feel constantly nervous or ‘on edge,’ or if you are feeling low and crying more than usual, help can come from your doctor, a psychologist, or the free support services listed in the table below.
| Organisation |
Services |
Contact |
| Lifeline |
For 24 hour counselling and emotional support service and referral. |
13 11 14 |
| National Breastfeeding Helpline |
For 24 hour counselling and emotional support service and referral. |
1800 686 268 (1800 MUM 2 MUM) |
| PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) National Helpline |
For mental health and wellbeing support during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. |
1300 726 306 |
| Maternal and Child Health Line |
For 24 hour confidential support and advice about the care and health of you and your child/ren (from birth to school age). |
13 22 29 |
Page last updated: Monday, 8 December 2025 3:05:50 PM