Building a medicine/first aid kit for baby

[sookie]

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.

It is not recommended to give sedating antihistamines such as benadryl before age 5 unless recommended by a physician who is monitoring their response. Usually any exception is given between ages 2-5 years, but a very lengthy talk with your primary doctor would need to happen because there are other options available. But NEVER on a baby this young. This is a newborn we are talking about.

No Tylenol either. If your newborn is running a fever, get them to the ER - it can be a big deal.


OP, get normal saline drops so you can suck boogers with the bulb syringe. I do recommend the nose freda. http://www.amazon.com/Nosefrida-The...s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1372817966&sr=1-1

It is easier to clean than the bulb syringe and you control the amount of suction you create while suctioning the nose.

 

[sookie]

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!!!

1) Triple paste is great, and so is aquaphor.
2) The ear thermometers are not accurate in newborns. Either use a temporal one, check it under the arm, or do a rectal check. Make sure to just tell the doctor to the actual value you got and how you got the temp - no adding or subtracting degrees based on how you obtained the temp. The doctor will know what to do based upon the information you provide (ie: baby was 100.4 under the arm).

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.

We recommend vitamin D infant supplements for those who are breastfeeding as well, so check with your doc. Cold packs are good to have on hand for mom and baby. I would be careful about clipping as well - I accidentally cut both my babies with clippers and it is safer to just file the nails.

 

[amylevan]

It is not recommended to give sedating antihistamines such as benadryl before age 5 unless recommended by a physician who is monitoring their response. Usually any exception is given between ages 2-5 years, but a very lengthy talk with your primary doctor would need to happen because there are other options available. But NEVER on a baby this young. This is a newborn we are talking about.

Considering I have dosing recommendations from CHOP for my 6 month old, I stand by my earlier statement, children's Benadryl is one that I add to the first aid list. Trust me, I'd rather never have to use it.

 

[WDWAurora]

Someone gave us a bunch of things we would need later on as a gift, like rice cereal, baby food, and pedialyte. The pedialyte wasn't needed until 8mos, but I was so glad to have it! We all 3 had a stomach bug and it was so great to already have it!

 

[UncannySquirrel]

Babies R Us sells starter first aid kits. Last time I looked at them a few years ago they had 2 different sized ones and the exp. dates were printed on the back of the packageing.