We recommend having these items “on hand” prior to needing them. This will cut down on any middle of the night trips to the pharmacy after you speak to the pediatrician’s office and prevent having to get out of the house to run to the grocery store with a sick baby.
Babies 0-6 Months Old
**Always consult with your pediatrician before giving your child any medicine.**
- Locked Medicine Kit
- 2-3 bottles of Infant Tylenol (Acetaminophen) – I like to have 2 bottles in my medicine cabinet and 1 in my diaper bag. Click here for Tylenol administration guidelines. Make sure to call your pediatrician because dosage is also based on weight, not just age. Your pediatrician can give you the most accurate dose based on your baby’s weight.
- Digital Thermometer – I like to have 2 at home and 1 in my diaper bag. My favorite thermometer is by Vicks.
- Alcohol Pads– I like to be able to clean the thermometer after each use. Plus I use them to clean my phone and headphones.
- Aquaphor – great for dry skin or minor scrapes and can also be used as a lubricant for a rectal temp. Click here for a video demonstration on how to take a rectal temp.
- Bulb Syringe – I prefer the bulb syringe until around 3/4 months old because their noses are still so tiny. Always use in combination with normal saline nose drops. Click here for a video demonstration on how to appropriate use normal saline nose drops and bulb syringe. You can suction their nose 3-4 times a day.
- Nose Frida – great for older babies. Always use in combination with normal saline nose drops. You can suction their nose 3-4 times a day.
- Normal Saline Nose Drops – this will help loosen thick secretions, which is so important when they have a runny noses and/or nasal congestion. If they can breathe better then they can eat and sleep better. You can use 4-5 times per day.
- Humidifier – I love this one! I have tried a few different ones. This one has a big tank, so you don’t have to keep filling it up and it is easy to clean.
- Infant Gas Drops – my favorite brands are Little Remedies and Mylicon. I do NOT recommend using the Natural Gripe Water.
- Probiotics – this is good to have on hand if baby has to be on antibiotics.
- Glycerin Suppositories for infants – inserted rectally for constipation, which will help with their gas pains and help them poop. Check out the Moms on Call 0-6 Months Book (linked below) for tips on how to help your baby feel better and relieve gas pains when it comes to constipation and babies who are infrequent stoolers (there is a difference between the two).
- Medicine Dosage Syringes – make sure to have 1-2 in your diaper bag with the Tylenol and thermometer.
- Moms on Call 0-6 Months Book – it is written by two pediatric nurses with over 20 years of experience and moms. They include a common illness sections – what to do when baby gets sick during the day verses night, when to call the pediatrician, and so much more!
- Moms on Call Basic Baby Care Videos – They also have online parenting courses. Click here to learn more!
- Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Cough Syrup + Mucus – 2 months old plus. Always consult with your pediatrician before giving your baby any medicine or homeopathic cough syrup.
- Desitin and Aquaphor – this is my favorite remedy for a diaper rash. Layer Desitin on their bottom, like you are frosting a cake. We want a very thick barrier (1/4 inch thick). It is a lot more than what most parents think. Next, apply Aquaphor (again, like you are frosting a cake) on top of the Desitin this creates a barrier to protect their bottom, so it can heal. When you change the next diaper, there should still be a good amount of visible diaper cream on the skin. You can clean the genital area very well at the changing station before bath time with a warm wash cloth or baby wipe. We do not use soap on the genital area. Throughout the day you want to keep the diaper ointment lathered on well to create the barrier to help their bottom heal.
Babies 6-12 Months Old
You will need everything in the section above, “Babies 0-6 Months Old” + the items listed below.
- 2 liquid bottles of Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) – I would make sure to have this on hand when you begin to introduce baby food, but they can also have allergic reactions to pets, insects, etc. I like to keep 1 at home and 1 in the diaper bag. This is an antihistamine to mild allergic reactions. If your child ever has an allergic reaction, call your pediatrician right away. If your child has a severe reaction that impacts their breathing, call 911 right away.
- 2 liquid bottles of Infant Motrin (Ibuprofen) – this can be given to babies who are 6 months old and older. I like to keep 1 at home and 1 in the diaper bag. The concentration of Infant and Children Motrin are different, so make sure to check the label. Click here for Motrin administration guidelines. Make sure to call your pediatrician because dosage is also based on weight, not just age. Your pediatrician can give you the most accurate dose based on your baby’s weight.
- Tylenol + Motrin Tip: You can alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours in babies who are 6 months old or older (so the same medication is given every 6 hours) if needed.
- Tylenol Suppositories for children 6-36 months old – if you can’t get them to take their medicine orally then your pediatrician can approve Tylenol suppositories.
- Pedialyte – if under 12 months old, must get permission from your pediatrician before offering Pedialyte in a bottle or a sippy cup. This will rehydrate and replenish electrolytes.
- Vomit Bags
- Moms on Call 6-15 Months Book – it is different than their 0-6 months book because as babies grow, the illnesses and what to do when they get sick does change. This book is written by two pediatric nurses with over 20 years of experience and moms. They include a common illness sections – what to do when baby gets sick during the day verses night, when to call the pediatrician, and so much more!