Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves

Every mom wants to make sure that she has everything she needs to make sure her baby is safe and healthy.

We’ve put together our must-have list of items for your medicine cabinet that you should have in stock before baby is born so you don’t have to frantically run out in the middle of the night should you need something.

Here’s what you should be prepared with for the first year of your baby’s life:

• An accurate and reliable thermometer, like Braun or Vicks – Ear thermometers generally give the most accurate reading as temperatures are reflected quickest in the ear. There are also non invasive options now like the No touch + forehead that let you take  a temperature without touching or disturbing your child. If using a digital thermometer, using it orally or rectally will give you the most accurate reading.
• Infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen – for pain and/or fever reduction.
• An oral syringe for giving medication.
• Diaper rash cream.
• Rubbing alcohol – for cleaning items like tweezers/scissors, not for cuts or scrapes, water works just fine or;
• An antiseptic wash.
• Antibiotic ointment.
• Adhesive bandage strips.
• Bulb syringe or similar product and saline drops to help clear a stuffy nose.
• Petroleum or non-petroleaum jelly – can be used on baby’s bottom and to help soothe chaffed skin.
• Topical pain relief gel.
• Teething gel.
• Baby brush – soft bristled to help remove cradle cap
• Baby-safe sunscreen – only to be used on a baby six months or older.
• Electrolyte solution.
• Cold compress.
• Tweezers.
• Baby nail clippers or nail file.

Avoid buying a standard “safety kit” that includes all or most of these items. You’ll likely not use all of the items in the kit and chances are, you will have better luck with a few, good quality products — like a thermometer and nail clippers —  than the ones that come in a standard kit.

It’s always a great idea to bring most of these items when travelling. You never know when your little one will run a fever or fall and cut himself, and it’s not fun to be in an unfamiliar place looking for items that are sitting at home in your medicine cabinet!

Please be sure that you keep all of these items away from the reach of children for their safety and your sanity.