Skip to main content

The 7 items parents should have in a baby medicine kit

Parents try their best to prepare for their baby’s arrival. One way to ensure that you’re ready is to gather items for a baby medicine kit.

Any parent wants to protect their children from any ailments or injuries. However, accidents and illnesses happen. Thus, having the right equipment on hand is important. So what are some essentials of baby first-aid kits? Find out!

Thermometers

Fevers are scary, especially when you have a baby who is just a few weeks old. Parents can probably tell just by holding the baby if he or she feels warmer than usual, but the sense of touch can’t give an exact measurement.
This is where thermometers are vital. Here are some of the most common types:

  • Rectal
  • Ear
  • Forehead
  • Contactless
Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Also, oral and underarm digital thermometers are options for older infants and toddlers who can be held still.

In the event you question the accuracy of any type of thermometer, your pediatrician would be the best source of information.

Baby nail clippers and tiny emery boards

Keeping a set of nail clippers and fine-grain emery boards that are specifically made for babies is imperative. During the first month, babies can’t control fine or gross motor skills, which leave their tiny faces vulnerable to scratches from their fingernails. So for proper hygiene and for safety’s sake, finger and toenails both need to be trimmed two or three times a week.

During the first three weeks, emery boards come in handy if you’re still a bit nervous about using a nail clipper on such tiny fingers and toes. You run less risk of trimming your baby’s nails too short; plus, filing might be easier than clipping, especially when your newborn is asleep, winding down, or pleasantly distracted by the crib mobile.

Once you graduate to nail clippers, you can still trim their nails while they’re asleep or in a calm state if this has worked out best so far. Also, another alternative to consider is to trim their nails shortly after their bath since nails tend to be softer after having been immersed in water for a while.

Nasal aspirator and saline nasal drops

Another important item for your baby’s medicine kit is the nasal aspirator. Very few maladies are more miserable than a stuffy nose. To top it off, not being able to breathe properly cuts into eating and sleeping time, making baby even more miserable.

This is where the aspirator and saline nasal drops come in handy. Better yet, your baby won’t have the side effects of over-the-counter cold medicine. By gently spraying the saline solution inside of your baby’s nose, you’ll clear out the sinus congestion in no time at all.

Gas drops

Aside from the stuffy nose, another alarming scenario involves gas that can also keep your baby from sleeping and eating properly.

Gas drops work effectively if burping and gently rubbing your baby’s back hasn’t helped. The main ingredient, simethicone, breaks up gas bubbles, making them easier to pass. Also, gas drops can be mixed with formula, breast milk, or administered directly to the baby.

Pain reliever/fever reducer

In the event you actually need over-the-counter medication, an infant formula of acetaminophen or ibuprofen would do the trick. Either medication effectively brings down your baby’s fever long enough to get to a pediatrician’s office or an urgent-care clinic where your doctor will give you more detailed instructions for dosage and frequency.

 Diaper rash cream

Diaper rash cream is really a miracle worker, especially since babies have such sensitive skin. Other benefits of diaper rash cream (also known as zinc oxide) include:

  • Soothing skin irritation and chapped skin
  • Forms a protective layer between the skin and the diaper
  • Treats redness and itching

Cotton balls

Finally, don’t forget the cotton balls, which involve multiple purposes. A safer alternative to swabs, you can use them to clean tiny ears and noses. They’re also used to apply creams and topical medications.

As you can see, a well-stocked baby medicine kit is highly important yet easy to put together. Once you have your supplies gathered in a handy container or bag, don’t forget the emergency-contact card with important phone numbers in case of a medical emergency. Now you and your baby are all set.

Editors' Recommendations

Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
Why brushing your baby’s hair should be part of your daily routine
Here's why brushing baby hair is an everyday must
Brushing baby's hair

As an adult, brushing your hair is part of your morning routine. It's probably part of your nighttime routine too, especially if you shower before bed. Brushing your hair is more than a part of your daily routine. It helps to keep your hair healthy. What about brushing baby hair? Should you brush your baby's adorable hair every day as well? Believe it or not, brushing a baby's hair isn't solely about detangling. Although your teeny tot may not have much hair yet, it's still a good idea to incorporate brushing into baby's routine.

It takes just a few minutes per day, and you'll notice the benefits long after hair brushing time is over. Yes, there are perks for you and your bundle of joy when it comes to daily hair care. Let's take a look at the top reasons why brushing baby hair is a must.

Read more
5 reasons why a rocking chair for the nursery is an important must-have for both parents and babies
Do you need a rocking chair for nursing? Yes!
Mom sitting in a rocking chair holding a smiling baby

The rocking chair is a piece of American history. From the front porches across the nation to living rooms to nurseries, the rocker is an iconic piece of furniture that never goes out of style. So, if you're on the fence about a rocking chair for nursery, it's actually a no-brainer. Adding a rocking chair to your nursery has functional and aesthetic benefits. Functionally, a rocking chair can help you put your baby to sleep, and it offers you a comfortable space to nap alongside. Aesthetically, it adds to the room's decor.

Besides diapers, a changing table, a crib, and baby clothes, a rocking chair for the nursery is a must-have on any baby shower wish list. If you're considering a stationary armchair, rather than a rocking chair, take a look at these top reasons why a rocking chair is the cornerstone for your nursery.

Read more
When should a baby sleep in their own room? The best time to make the switch
How to tell if your baby is ready to sleep in their own room
Baby sleeping on their back.

Babies grow and develop so much during the first year of their life and with that comes a constantly evolving sleep schedule. Many parents choose to either co-sleep or have a bassinet near their bed to provide as little sleep disruption as possible, especially for newborns. But as the baby gets a little older and begins to sleep longer, many parents find themselves wondering when to move their baby to their own room. From official recommendations to your own gut instinct, we'll take you through how to make these choices.

When to move from a bassinet to a crib
You should move your baby out of their bassinet once they reach its weight limit, which will likely be between 10 and 20 pounds. Additionally, if your baby begins to roll over or sit up, you should move them to a crib. Even if neither of these factors applies, and if you see your baby becoming cramped with its head touching the wall of the bassinet, it's time to move to a crib. You don't have to move from a bassinet to a crib and from your room to their own room at the same time, but it is most convenient for many.

Read more