You've got a baby on the way and you've never been more excited!
Along with all of the excitement comes all of the worry... how can you be prepared?
One of the things that all parents have to be ready for when when expecting a baby is medicine. After all, you must be prepared for anything!
Keep reading to learn about what you may want to have in your infant medicine kit.
When Should You Create an Infant Medicine Kit?
We all want to protect our babies from illness, sickness, or injury.
The question is how early do we need to start preparing for the reality that something might happen and we need to have a medicine kit ready to handle a problem?
The answer is that it depends on what you feel most comfortable with! Not all parents want to do this before the baby is born, but many do because it helps them feel more prepared.
Some parents will wait until after the baby is born and they can talk with their doctor about what they specifically will want to get before the baby goes home. This can be stressful, however, since you already are so busy with everything else.
Having a new baby is hard, so being ready to go can make it a little easier. It's also one less thing to worry about when you get it done while still pregnant.
What Types of Medicine Should You Buy?
One thing that many parents are inclined to do is purchase a kit that is prepackaged and already has a lot of items in it. This can be a great start, but you always will want to add your own things to it to make sure that you are prepared for any situation.
Another way to do it is to just build your own kit from scratch entirely! By doing it this way, you will have the chance of hand selecting each item that goes into the kit.
Some people even make more than one so that they have one for home, one for the car, or one for travel. It really depends on your lifestyle, so consider this when purchasing your items.
A few of the must have items in your kit should be:
- Infant thermometer
- Children's pain reliever
- Saline nose drops
- Calamine lotion
- Aloe gel
- Gauze rolls and pads
- Antihistamines
- Mild liquid soap
- Oral syringe
- Assorted adhesive bandages
There are other things as well to consider, but this list should be a good start for you. Feel free to consult with the family doctor to get some more ideas for what you would want in this kit.
Another good thing to add may be a first-aid manual. Having this handy can be a really positive way to use all of the materials and supplies you buy most efficiently when they are needed.
You should also consider adding in the names and phone numbers of important people that you would want to contact in an emergency. This may be your doctor, your baby's doctor, or the local hospital.
Tips for a Baby Medicine Kit
A big tip is to keep an inventory of everything in your medicine kit, especially if it is a really big kit. This will help you keep track of the items and replace items as needed.
Talk with your doctors about any questions you might have. They will know better than the internet or your friends what your baby needs, especially if there are medical conditions to be aware of.
Measure out any medicine you give the baby very carefully. This is important because it can be very easy to overdose as a baby as their bodies are so small.
Know which types of medicine or tools are not okay to use with a baby. For instance, aspirin is not something that you should give to a child because it can cause problems in the brain. You also should be sure to use a rectal thermometer for your baby until the baby is 6 months old.
When giving your infant or child medicine, be sure never to refer to it as candy and keep it away from the child until it is time to give it to them.
It can be very unsafe to have medicine out, so always err on the side of caution.
In conclusion, remember that the items in an adult medicine kit are different than that of your child's medicine kit. You need to be more aware and more cautious as you create your child's kit.
Get Started and Create Your Kit Today
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can go into the thought and process of making an infant medicine kit. Not only are there many things you will need to purchase, but there are other aspects to consider as well.
Make sure to think about what your baby needs and what you need to have most accessible in the case that something is needed. Not all babies are going to need the same types of items, especially if there is a preexisting condition at hand.
Also remember that your doctor will be able to help you add to or create your kit to be sure that it is perfect for your little one.
If you would like to learn more about creating the perfect medicine kit, be sure to look at what we have to offer and determine if we can help you create a safer home with our products.
Further Reading
Common Infant and Newborn Problems
