Mumbai, 18th June 2025: Parenting is a beautiful mess equal parts chaos, cuddles, and curveballs. Whether you are headed for a day out, managing the daily routine, or facing the unpredictable pace of parenting life, a little planning can go a long way. While diapers and snacks are obvious, some items quietly become lifesavers without ever making it to the traditional checklist.

Here are five underrated yet essential items every parent should have on standby:

1. A Kid Friendly First Aid Kit

From playground scrapes to surprise wounds, kids have a knack for the unexpected. A mini first aid kit with the basics such as bandages, antiseptic, gauze, tweezers, and child-safe medication can turn a crisis into a quick fix. Parents must keep it stocked and within easy reach at all times.

2. Wet Wipes

If there is one thing that never goes out of style in parenting, it is wet wipes. Use them for spills, sticky fingers, bathroom emergencies, or even to freshen up after a long day out. Parents must have this in bulk as it is one of the most used items as a parent.

3. A set of batteries

Eveready’s Ultima Alkaline Battery range delivers 400% longer-lasting power, making it ideal for high-drain devices like toys, remotes, and learning gadgets. Especially for parents, it ensures kids’ essentials stay powered without any surprise tantrums from sudden battery drain. Built with advanced Alkaline technology and Anti-Leak Turbolock protection, it offers reliable performance and device safety. Priced at just ₹22 per battery i.e. ₹220 for a pack of 10 AA batteries, with a 10-year shelf life, Ultima combines power, protection, and value, perfect for devices that have higher power needs.

4. Baby Oil

Baby oil is one of those simple but useful things every parent should have around. It’s super gentle on a child’s skin and helps keep it soft and moisturised, especially after bath time. Many parents also use it for gentle massages, which can be calming for the child and a great bonding moment. It can come in handy for small things too, like dealing with dry patches, taming messy hair, or cleaning off sticky bits during diaper changes. Just a small amount does the trick, making it a practical, everyday essential.

5. Emergency Contact Card

In crowded places or new environments, having a physical emergency card with the parent’s contact information, child’s name, and any other relevant health info can be crucial. Slipping it into their pocket, shoe, or backpack as an added safety layer ensures their well-being especially when the kids are with parents in unfamiliar settings.