Why do kids always throw up in the car? Out of all the times that my little one has gotten sick, about 90% of those times have been in the carseat. It makes me that much more thankful that I am not driving a nice, new car. I think I will hang onto my trusty old car until we make it through these young and vomit filled years! After this last incident, I have stocked my car vomit clean up bag with everything needed to get rid of those yucky messes.
We were literally pulling into the school parking lot recently and she tells me her stomach hurts. I did not even have a minute before I heard that dreaded sound. You see it coming but there is no way to stop it. You just have to let it happen. All over the carseat and floor. Even her little stuffed cat was subjected to the horror of car vomiting.
I proceeded to try and clean up the best that I could until we got home. I go to my trunk and discover I have not one baby wipe, towel or napkin in my car (I have a newborn ya’ll! I should have a baby wipe on me at all times). My poor girl had to ride home covered in a horrible mess. I rotated between holding my breath and spraying Lysol in the car (because every respectable mom would have Lysol, just no baby basics like wipes). After the 20 minute ride home in this condition, I vowed a solemn vow to myself to never leave home without a well stocked car vomit clean up kit.
So after my disaster of an experience I decided to create a little kit that I could keep in my car all the time to help in a time of tummy crisis. Here is what you need in order to create your own car vomit clean up bag. Trust me, do it before you need it or you will find yourself on your front lawn with a water hose, vomit soaked clothes and a carseat fit for the trash can.
Car Vomit Clean Up Bag Contents:
- Vinyl Gloves: These are a must for me. I literally could not even unbuckle my child from her seat without being exposed to bodily fluid. The gloves keep things sanitary and will help prevent the spreading of germs. Heck – put in 2 pair.
- Store shopping bags or Garbage bag: You want a bag or two depending on the size to help you in your disposal process to keep things as clean as possible. You may be pulled over on the side of a road and not have access to a trash can. I like to bundle up all the trash into the bag, tied it & throw it in the trunk. You can also use an extra store bag to give to the child until you get to your destination in case they feel sick again.
- Roll of Paper Towels: This is for the first round of clean up to get rid of the bulk of the mess.
- Clorox Wipes: These are the 2nd round of clean up for me to help with sanitation but just as importantly the smell. You are going to have to do more cleaning at home but this will help you be more comfortable on your drive home.
- Lysol Spray: I like to have this on hand too. Helps with germs and smell. Win Win. Remember that this and the wipes should not be sprayed or used on your carseat because it could disturb the integrity of the seat. Refer to your user manual.
- Anti-bacterial Soap: My daughter calls this magic soap and I have to agree. It is a little magical to smell the burning smell of alcohol after you get finished cleaning up a mess like this.
- Change of Clothes: Depending on the age of your child, you might be able to get away with a change of underwear and a big T-shirt. If you have an older child or live somewhere with extreme temperatures, you may be better off rotating a full set of clothes seasonally. Something inexpensive or even something that was ruined with a little stain or hole are great options to throw in the bag.
Throw all of that into your kit and feel better that you are now prepared to handle most messes that come your way! How do you prepare for childhood messes?
