First Aid Basics

You are probably familiar with the aspirator and the dreaded rectal thermometer, but is your baby’s first aid kit fully stocked with all she needs?

Prepackaged first aid kits are a great baby shower gift but often need supplementing with more items that match your personal needs. Here is our checklist of what to prepare in your baby’s first aid kit:

  • A rectal thermometer. (Ear or forehead thermometers are great, but your pediatrician will likely ask for the rectal temperature if you call.)
  • Children’s Tylenol or Motrin and medicine dropper.
  • Rubbing alcohol towelettes
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Saline for stuffy noses
  • Aspirator
  • Sunscreen
  • Assorted sizes of band-aids
  • A back up dose of any prescription medications for your child, kept in a secure child-proof container
  • Ice pack
  • Orajel or teething tablets to soothe gums
  • Gauze and medical tape
  • Tweezers
  • Extra blanket
  • Infant CPR and Heimlich Maneuver guide (You can download one at www.redcross.org)
  • Pedialyte or other rehydration fluids
  • A note card listing phone numbers for the pediatrician, local hospital, Poison Control and emergency contacts
  • A note card listing your child’s allergies to any foods or drugs

You own child’s needs may vary and your list can include an Epinephrine pen, asthma inhaler, etc. These are just the basics to get started and help you be for an emergency situation.