When I was becoming a parent, one of the things I wanted to have stocked and on hand was a first Essential First Aid Kits filled with all the necessary items that I might possibly need with a newborn or toddler.
I quickly learned that you don’t need ALL the things, only a few items to really be prepared for times baby is not feeling well. Below are the items we keep stocked and on hand in our first aid kit in our house.
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6 Essential First Aid Kits
1. Thermometer
As much as we would like to believe we can tell the temperature of our babies by just feeling their head, it is not always accurate. Having a good thermometer on hand is ALWAYS helpful.
I keep them in our first aid kits in our house, cars, and travel with one just in case!
My favorite thermometer is the Vick’s SpeedRead Digital Thermometer. It can be used as an oral, under arm, or rectal thermometer. I love that it has a color-coded, easy to read display.
Any thermometer works just fine though! I also have some I just grabbed from CVS in a pinch that work great.
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2. Nasal Aspirator
Babies breath primarily through their noses, and it takes them a bit to figure out how to mouth breath in the event of a stuffy nose. They are also not able to blow their noses to help clear it out to aid in recovery. That is why nasal aspirators are so great to have on hand!
A Bulb syringe would work just fine, but they don’t always get all of it out.
I personally love the GROWNSY Electric Nasal Aspirator or the Momcozy Electric Nasal Aspirator! It has been a game changer for their stuffy noses!
Saline Rinse
Saline Rinses can help break up the mucous and allow the nasal aspirator to work better at getting all the mucous out! Only need a 1-2 drops in each nostril needed.
Oogiebear
The Oogiebear is a thing I grabbed randomly at the checkout counter that I didn’t think I would actually use much, but I was SO WRONG. It is so great at getting those stuck on boogers and ear wax that is right there on these little babies! I liked that it has a stopped so you can’t go too deep!
3. Medications
Having medication on hand can help when you wake up at 2am with a baby with a fever who is acting cranky or in pain! Always recommended to reach out to your pediatrician before giving any medication to your baby!
I am a big fan of not giving medication unless it is truly needed. If we have a fever, it is our body’s natural response to help heal out body. Taking medication to lower this fever could interfere with the body’s fight against the illness.
My philosophy is, if they are not bothered by the temperature and aren’t acting different then i do not give them anything for the temperature. If they are acting like they are in pain, or extra fussy, then I will likely treat them!
Acetaminophen "Tylenol"
This is the medication that is recommended to be safe for infants and up. This comes in multiple forms, oral liquid, chewable, and suppository. This usually lasts around 4 hours for pain and fever relief. Speak with pediatrician on dosage and daily limits.
Oral is easiest to find but can be tricky to give if your baby spits it up or refuses to drink it (like mine do)
Chewable is more for older children!
Suppositories are a great alternative to those who wont drink the liquid version, or is too sick to be able to drink the liquid version.
Ibuprofen "Motrin"
This medication is not recommended until baby is at least 6 months old. I have only found this in a liquid form or pill form.
I find the effects of ibuprofen lasts longer for fever and pain relief.
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Benadryl
Relief for any possibility of an allergic reaction. Not recommended for babies under 2 years old! Available in a liquid version for kids.
Syringe
Having a syringe for medication administration has 2 benefits.
- Accurate dosage
- Easy administration to baby versus the cup
Miscellaneous
Every family has the magic cure all that they have. If you have seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” Windex was the cure all for all things.
Growing up in my family, that was aloe vera gel. We had bottles in every room and all through the house, and that has not changed when we grew up. Your family might have something else it uses, so putting that in your first aid kit can be helpful.
4. "Wound" Care
An Infant wont need these, so you don’t need to add these in immediately. Adding them in once you have a mobile baby is what I recommend!
Bandaids/Bandages
Having bandaids on hand for all “boo boos”, or even pretend “boo boos” as my daughter likes to say, can be helpful for those cuts and scrapes to make them feel a little better. Especially if they are their favorite character. My daughters currently favorite are the spiderman and star wars bandaids.
Wound ointments
Wound ointments such as Neosporin or an “Owie” essential oil blend can be great to have on hand to help aid in wound healing. I use the aloe vera that’s listed above but also have Neosporin on hand just in case.
Ice packs
5. Nail Clippers
Nail Clippers or nail files are always great to have on hand, because those kids nails grow FAST!! They can cut themselves with their nails or even cut you!
There are few things I hate more than cutting my kids nails though! If you really don’t like clipping your little’s nails, you can check out electric nail files, like this one from Momcozy.
6. Lifevac/Dechoker
This is one that I will recommend to everyone! I am not sure for infants, but for kids for sure! They put EVERYTHING in their mouths.
When our daughter had her choking event, we had not yet purchased one of these. I wish we had though! It would have been so helpful!
The Lifevac is what we have in our house, they have a portable version we have in our car and then the home version for both children and adults. It comes in a combo package here.
The Dechoker is another brand similar to lifevac, but they sell each size separately for each age.
I then put all the items above in a tote and first aid bag in a location that is easily accessible.
Being prepared for anything and everything is one of the first things we can do to help our babies and kids be as safe as possible! What is something you have in your first aid kit that I didn’t list above? Share with us below!