Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:09 pm
When welcoming a new little one in to your home it can be overwhelming. One of the things I knew nothing about was how to stock my baby medicine cabinet for all the essentials I could need.
Everything about the newborn phase is so blissful and happy. You spend a lot of time together at home, you develop a routine and a schedule, and look forward to all the first milestones. But unfortunately, those first include the first time your baby is unwell. This could be a fever, a rash, congestion, and many other things.
I remember when my son got his first cold at about 6 weeks old. I felt helpless!
When this happens to you, you want to be able to snuggle your sweet little one and take the pain away. The last thing you want to do is rush around from store to store looking for ways to ease your child’s symptoms. Having a stocked baby medicine cabinet ready to go can help relieve a bit of stress during these times.
But how do you know what to have on hand?
I’ve got a list of all the essentials for you.
Let’s go through them!
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Baby Medicine Cabinet Necessities
Here is a list of medicine cabinet items you should always have on hand for one of those “just in case” times.
Baby Tylenol
Baby pain relievers are good to have on hand in case of fever or teething. Motrin is not recommended until at least six months so having Tylenol in your medicine cabinet is important. Always check with your pediatrician to make sure you are giving the correct dose as Tylenol is measured based off of weight, not age.
If your child has a fever and is under the age of 3 months, you should always take them straight to the pediatrician rather than treating at home. If you ever have questions about whether an in-person visit is appropriate, call your pediatricians nurse advice hotline.
Humidifier
This was an absolute life saver when my son was sick. Congested babies are so hard! Luckily humidifiers work so well to help clear up some of the congestion. It adds moisture back into the air which can help loosen clogged nostrils and prevent future congestion due to dryness.
I personally love this humidifier because it was easy to operate and one fill lasted through the night and into the morning, but there are several great ones out there. This is a definite must have when getting your home ready for baby!
Heat can also strip moisture out of the air. If you live in a dry climate or your baby is sensitive to dry air, a humidifier is a must! This will add moisture back into the air and can help relieve dry skin even if your baby is not sick. We personally run ours at night in the winter to combat the cold, dry air.
Vapor Rub
Another congestion must is this organic vapor rub. You just rub a small amount on their chest and feed before bed and it helps soothe their nose all night long. It so simple and doesn’t have as strong of a smell as the adult version.
Thermometers
There are several different types of thermometers you can get, and all have different uses.
Rectal Thermometer
A rectal thermometer is the most accurate for measuring a baby’s temperature. They must be inserted carefully into the rectum and held until the temperature is read. This means as the child ages it will become harder and harder to use this one safely. While I definitely recommend having one of these on hand, you should also have one of the other two types of thermometers on hand in case of an unruly child.
Digital Ear Thermometer
Ear thermometers work just like they sound, by placing the thermometer in the ear. This reads quite quickly and can give you a great, accurate result. These may not fit tiny newborn ears so check for size when you purchase one.
Temporal Thermometer
And finally the temporal thermometer works by scanning the forehead of the baby, especially in the temporal region. While this on is the most user friendly, the nurse in me believes that is the most likely one for user error. It must be placed just so in order to get an accurate reading. If it is held too far away from the child’s head, the temperature will be too low. Make sure to read all the instructions prior to using.
I know having multiple thermometers may seem silly, but I personally recommend grabbing one of each of these. That way depending on the circumstances you should always be able to take your baby’s temperature. I also like to use a different type if I personally feel like their forehead is warm but the reading doesn’t reflect that just to double check.
Baby Sunscreen
Depending on where you live and what time of year your little one is born, baby sunscreen could be very helpful sooner rather than later. Plus getting some sunshine is a great source of Vitamin D.
With your baby’s delicate skin, it is very important to protect them from the harmful sunrays. This is our favorite! It is safe for baby’s sensitive skin and smells great too!
Gripe Water
In the hospital, our postpartum nurse heard my son hiccupping all the time and told us gripe water would be our best friend. And boy was she right!
Gripe water works great to help sooth an upset stomach, colic, fussiness, or hiccups. This is a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and herbs and is generally considered safe for babies. It worked wonders for my son, especially during his first six months.
Teething Gel
The teeth phase always makes my heart hurt! Nothing is worse than a fussy baby who is hurting and you can’t do much to help them. One thing that has had great success for us is this teething gel. You can put a little on your finger and apply it directly to their gums or put some on a favorite teething toy. In no time my baby felt so much better!
Diaper Cream
Diaper cream or a diaper balm is a must have to both treat and prevent a diaper rash when they happen. My son rarely had a rash, but when he did I was glad to have it on hand. I preferred this over using baby powder but they both accomplish the same thing. Just slather some on generously (you can use this awesome diaper cream spatula to help contain the mess) and it should clear up in no time!
Saline Drops
Another personal favorite of mine on this list, nasal saline drops are a must! Babies aren’t capable of blowing their noses and really can’t get mucus out of them very effectively. They also breath primarily out of their noses, so congestion can be very serious.
Saline drops help loosen built up mucus and thin it out so baby can clear it more effectively on their own. These drops also work great in combination with a Nasal aspirator!
Nasal Aspirator
Speaking of congestion, I am convinced that the NoseFrida is quite literally one of the best inventions ever created. It is so simple yet works so well! It works by you manually sucking the built-up mucus out of your baby’s nose with your mouth. But don’t worry! There is a valve and filter that prevents anything from getting all the way to your mouth.
Ok yes, it is gross, but don’t knock it until you try it! It is a miracle worker and saved us from so many sleepless nights in the winter months.
Have I mentioned I love this thing??? K I think you get the point!
If you aren’t down for sucking the snot out of your baby’s nose isn’t for you, there an electric option that also accomplish the same thing.
Just make sure you either options according to instructions so you don’t dry out your baby’s nose.
Nail File
Clipping my baby’s nails always stressed me out. One time I accidently cut my son’s finger and that was it for me! My pediatrician suggested we could just bite his nails but I found that really difficult and honestly not the most sanitary.
My friend recommended this electric nail file, and I was sold. It has a bunch of different gentle pads that file your baby’s nails nice and smooth. No more jagged corners! And it is gentle on their skin so you don’t end up with sharp corners.
I used to have to trim my son’s nails when he was asleep, but with this he just lays there and watches me. It is so easy!
I love this tool so much I have given it as a baby shower gift to so many different friends. It really is a must have baby essential to have in your medicine cabinet.
FridaWindi
Another favorite FridaBaby tool of mine is the FridaWindi. It might seem a little strange, but this tool is another miracle worker. When used as directed, it can help relieve newborn gassiness in seconds.
Just don’t be like me and make sure you put a large towel or plastic bag down underneath your baby’s bum before inserting. You could end up with a big mess!
Vaseline
You may already have this in your medicine cabinet, but Vaseline is a must! It works great to soothe skin irritation and help with excessive dryness. You can use it in place of diaper cream if you are in a pinch, or to moisturize their scalp and treat cradle cap.
If you have a boy and you choose circumcision, this is a great thing to have on hand. The pediatrician will likely send you some with some, but I always like to have plenty on hand just in case. Vaseline will help soothe and prevent the wound from sticking to his diaper.
Well, there you have it! Those are all of my essentials to keep stocked in your medicine cabinet. I hope these medicine cabinet must-haves help treat your sick little one and get them back to normal in no time!
Thank you so much for sharing this informative and helpful blog post on baby medicine cabinet essentials! As a parent, I know how overwhelming it can be to prepare for a new addition to the family. Your recommendations have taken a lot of the stress out of the equation for me.Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication in helping new parents like myself.
I totally agree about the multiple thermometers. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has several! Great list with really practical things that everyone needs for baby!