How to Stock Your Baby’s Medicine Cabinent
The Wise Baby
The Wise Baby - The Definitive Baby Blog
I can tell you from first hand experience, you do not want to run out in search of a certain type of medicine for your little one when you need it. Unfortunately, this has happened to me one too many times (usually while traveling, nonetheless!) and I’ve decided it’s high time to fully stock the medicine cabinet. You’ve always got just the thing to deal with your indigestion or migraine, but obviously adult medications are far too strong for children and babies. Here is our comprehensive list of medical cabinet necessities to ensure you’re well equipped to handle any malady, should it arise.
Before giving your child any medication, please check with your health care provider. They can recommend the right over the counter medication as well as the correct dosage for your little one.
1. Infant Acetaminophen: Tylenol or similar. To help your child deal with the aches and pains that accompany teething, shots, and flu-like symptoms, this non-asprin, anti-inflammatory is a must for any medicine cabinet. As with any of these medicines, make sure to check with your doctor for dosage information.
2. Infant Ibuprofen: To help sooth a fever in your little one, you’ll want an infant ibuprofen like Motrin. Again, check with your doctor for correct dosage (and remember, ibuprofen shouldn’t be given to babies under six months).
3. Rectal thermometer: It’s the most accurate way to check if your baby has a temperature, and when calling a doctor, it’s the temp they’ll most likely request. Make sure to get a fast reading thermometer.
4. A nasal aspirator nasal spray: Your little one can’t blow his own nose, so you’ll want an aspirator to assist in clearing out the nasal passage, and a nasal spray to break down the mucus. We love the Nosefrida.
5. Diaper rash cream: Rashes are going to happen from time to time, so you’ll definitely want to have a cream on hand to sooth little bums.
6. Rehydration fluid: Something like Pedialyte or Drip Drop is important to have on hand when your baby is throwing up to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes.
7. A cough syrup: We love Zarbee’s Baby Cough Syrup Mucus Reducer and Zarbee’s Children’ss All-Natural Cough Syrup for a more natural medication. (Note the later is for children 12 months due to the honey in the syrup).
8. Vicks Babyrub: Like the adult Vaporub, this can help soothe a congested baby by rubbing on the chest and feet.
9. Infant Benadryl: To help with any sort of allergies, hives, etc. Benadryl can do just the trick. We absolutely recommend checking with your doctor before administering Benadryl, and as a fair warning, a small percentage of children react with hyperactivity, instead of sleepiness, after taking Benadryl (Harry!).
Believe me, you’ll want to stock your medicine cabinet with baby-safe medications ASAP. You don’t want to be caught without this stuff. And in case you’re wondering how to survive a cold or how to survive a stomach bug with babies and toddlers, check out those links!
