Building a medicine/first aid kit for baby

[branv]

We will be having our first in a few months, and I'm trying to put together a list of the things we should have on hand in case he gets sick or injured. Right now all I've got is a bulb syringe, a medicine dropper, thermometer and humidifier...phht, that's it. My concern is that while I can call my pedi's line 24/7, there isn't a 24-hour store in a 15 mile radius. And one of the few things I do know is how those munchkins have an innate ability to get sick/hurt in the middle of the night. So, I want some essentials/basics for "just in case."

I've been reading, etc, but goodness -- sometimes you suspect those lists of "must haves" are sponsored, KWIM. And a trip to the store to peruse the aisles gets even more confusing as to what is the best and what you should avoid (and what is a huge waste of money). I mean, I saw tons of teething gel, despite the warnings that have been issued against them. It's enough to make your brain melt.

So, BTDT parents...what are the "must haves" in your medicine cabinet for babies?

 

[LaurLaur04]

Right now that's all you really need plus I would get some gas drops and some infant Tylenol. An infant isn't going to get hurt....and the only otc med you can give is Tylenol. Stop stressing....it will be ok!!

 

[Comeundone87]

Congrats on your upcoming bundle of joy!

Tylenol is all you need.

With all 3 of my kids I got a bulb syringe and a thermometer from the hospital after they were born. I too had bought a bulb syringe before #1 was born and it didn't work. The one from the hospital was all I needed. Never used gas drops, although I bought them with #1. Oh and ALL medicines come with a way to dispense and measure the medicine. With many meds you are only to use the dropper that comes with the medicine for accurate dosing.

With most things it's a wait and see if you need it. There are very few things that can happen in the middle of the night that can't wait until morning. Things expire. I wouldn't buy things until you need them.

 

[Mama Who]

They make small "ice packs" that get cold enough to soothe but not too cold. I'd get one of those once the kid is mobile, but that's about it.

 

[LJSquishy]

Instead of using a bulb syringe, look into getting a Nosefrida. They are leaps and bounds better.

 

[wiigirl]

Instead of using a bulb syringe, look into getting a Nosefrida. They are leaps and bounds better.

 

[MSSANDRA]

With a new born, you are going to call the doctor, even before giving Tylenol. Pretty much no other meds unless you choose to do gas drops and I would even run that by the dr before you leave the hospital.

Be sure you have baby nail clippers, and with DS6, we even used those little mitten things on his hands. Babies can have some long fast growing nails!!!

Best things are to take a infant CPR class before he is born, know the nearest hospital with a children's unit, have a plan in case something goes wrong (what neighbor could get there, written instructions to your home etc), and follow all the proven safety rules; back to sleep, never leave even a newborn on a raised surface ect.

Invest in a really good infant care book....I like...."what to expect the first year".

RELAX.....babies are a lot sturdier than they look and you will be fine!!

 

[Lilliputian]

I wouldn't buy any actual medicines ahead of time. You can't use Tylenol for several months, and it could expire or be close to it by the time you finally open it.

Nail clippers are good. A thermometer is important. Saline drops (I like the Little Noses brand) are cheap and will last practically forever unopened, so you may want to get those. After that, you're set.

 

[Fire14]

I'd have Tylenol, baby nail clippers, gas drops.

 

[amylevan]

After having a DD with food allergies, children's Benadryl is one that I add to the first aid list. Better to have it on hand in the event of a reaction than not.

Our other "must haves" for babies: Tylenol, gas drops, nail clippers and nose frieda.

In my experience, the hospitals always give you a thermometer and a bulb syringe.

 

[PrincessDot10k]

I would agree with the above: hospitals usually give bulb syringes, I would have a thermometer, nail clippers and possibly Infant Tylenol. Although they don't recommend giving it to infants, but your doctor can advise you to give an appropriate dose for your infant if needed. But if you don't need it, it could expire. I would also know the nearest hospital with a childrens unit, possibly a night pediatric clinic. Depends on what's available in your area. I was such a worrier with my kids! But really RELAX, babies usually do just fine. Congrats on your upcoming bundle!!

 

[scdak]

Ask your doctor's office if they have a fever control sheet on your first visit, it will tell you what to for fever in addition to the doses of Tylenol and Motrin based on weight, that way you have it to know the dose in case you need it while you are waiting for the doctor to call you back - depending on the MD it sometimes takes a while. Motrin should not be given until the baby is a certain weight/age - your MD can tell you when he/she allows it.

 

[rebeccalb10]

Diaper rash cream or triple-paste. Maybe have some neosoprin (triple antibiotic ointment) for those scratches when you didn't clip the nails fast enough.

 

[minushka72]

All the other suggestions are great. Definitely have Tylenol, diaper rash cream, etc...

From your post, I believe you are having a boy. If you will be having him circumcised, have petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and plenty of 2x2 or 3x3 guaze pads. They give them to you at the hospital and we thought we brought plenty home but our 2nd night home DH had to go to the 24 hour walgreens to buy more!

 

[branv]

Thanks so much everyone! It's amazing how much smaller the list of must haves are among real world parents. I knew all those nursery shopping lists seemed over the top!

 

[letsgoreds]

In regards to thermometers. When my LO felt warm, I used the Exergen Temporal thermometer. If it showed a fever, I used the rectal thermometer to make sure I was getting an absolutely accurate temperature. Now, all we use is the Exergen (kids are 3 and 7).

LOVE the Exergen temporal thermometers...have 2. We originally purchased an ear thermometer, but found it to be terribly inaccurate and inconsistent.

I will second the triple paste (FAR superior diaper rash creme) and vaseline...but we prefer Aqauaphor, which is essentially the same. Great for healing skin, like the aforementioned scratches from fingernails.

I will also say that I prefer Pampers swaddlers (for diapers), but Huggies wipes are way better than Pampers. Target is a great place for buying diapers (use coupons!). We also have kiddos with sensitive skin, so a big fan of California Baby shampoo/wash.

Best wishes!!!

 

[kjpotter]

I recommend a bottle of Gripe Water. It's available at most stores. It's an all natural stomach soother that my ped recommended when DD had colic. It was a lifesaver. We started giving it to DD when she was a month old and it was like night and day.

 

[mickeyboat]

It was a long time ago, and my memory is a little fuzzy, but it seemed like we cleaned the umbilical cord area with an alcohol swab until the stump dried up and fell off.

 

[bear74]

My Hospital has not given a thermometer out in over 9 years. I work on the maternity floor so I know first hand. Instead of nail clippers I would use emery boards for the first couple of months and just file the nails. The humidifier and bulb syringe are good to have on hand. I would not buy Tylenol until about a month before you are due so that you get the farthest expiration date. Gas tablets or drops was a must with my oldest and with one of the twins. I would wait till the child is close to 3 months old before buying one of the teething gels. Also Vitamin D is being recommend by the pedis here. You can get it from the pharmacy at Target. I would have diaper rash cream on hand but not powder. I second the little ice pack also a cold teething ring.

Congrats on your little one.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I came home from the hospital with three thermometers and three bulb syringes so the one's I bought are still sitting in their packages. I did like the humidifier, aquaphor and triple paste as others have recommended.

I'd have infant Tylenol (you can check the expiration date before you buy, mine have always been good at least 6 more months) and pedialyte just in case. I would of course speak to the pediatrician if your newborn has diarrhea and/or vomiting (dehydration can be an emergency situation in a newborn), but when my ds was an infant and was sick the one and only time, the pedialyte clearly helped him.

Also be on the watch for yourself, I had mastitis with fever and chills and started antibiotics in the middle of the night.