Key takeaways: A good baby first aid kit includes a digital thermometer, infant acetaminophen, saline drops, a nasal aspirator, bandages, and important phone numbers. Keep it out of reach of children and check expiration dates every few months.
A well-stocked kit means you’re not searching for a thermometer at 2 a.m. Here’s what to include.
Essentials
Thermometer and fever care:
- Digital thermometer (rectal for babies under 3 months).
- Petroleum jelly (for rectal temperatures and diaper care).
- Infant acetaminophen (160 mg per 5 mL), with its dosing syringe.
- Infant ibuprofen (for babies 6 months and older), with its dosing syringe.
- Your baby’s current weight written on a card for dosing.
Congestion care:
- Saline nasal drops or spray.
- Bulb syringe or nasal aspirator.
- Cool-mist humidifier (stored separately).
Skin care:
- Diaper cream with zinc oxide.
- Fragrance-free moisturizer.
- Mineral sunscreen (for babies 6 months and older).
- Hydrocortisone 1 percent cream (ask your doctor before using on a baby).
Wound care:
- Gauze pads and small adhesive bandages (supervise; bandages on fingers can be a choking hazard).
- Medical tape.
- Mild soap for cleaning cuts.
- Antibiotic ointment.
- Cold pack (keep in the freezer) or a clean washcloth to wet and chill.
Tools:
- Baby nail clippers or file.
- Tweezers.
- Medicine dropper or oral syringe.
- Flashlight.
- Disposable gloves.
Important information:
- Pediatrician’s phone number and after-hours line.
- Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
- Your baby’s insurance card copy.
- List of medicines, allergies, and medical conditions.
- Nearest urgent care and emergency room.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. My book covers common first-year illnesses and the warning signs that mean it’s time to call the doctor, explained the way I’d explain them at the bedside.
What to Leave Out
- Cough and cold medicines (not safe for young children).
- Benzocaine teething gels (risk of a serious blood condition).
- Homeopathic teething tablets.
- Aspirin (risk of Reye syndrome).
- Ipecac syrup (no longer recommended for poisoning).
- Adult medicines.
- Glass mercury thermometers.
Safety Tips
- Store the kit up high and locked, out of reach of children.
- Check expiration dates every 3 to 6 months.
- Never guess a dose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist, and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
- Take an infant CPR and first aid class.
A Travel Kit
Keep a smaller version in your diaper bag or car: thermometer, infant acetaminophen, saline, bandages, hand sanitizer, and emergency numbers.
Call 911 for trouble breathing, choking, seizures, unresponsiveness, serious injuries, or severe allergic reactions. Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) if your baby swallows something that might be harmful.
The Bottom Line
A simple, well-stocked kit and an infant CPR class are some of the best preparations you can make. Keep it organized, out of reach, and up to date.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- Colds in Babies: Safe Comfort Measures and Medicines to Avoid
- Helping a Sick Baby Sleep Safely
- How to Take a Baby’s Temperature (and Which Thermometers to Trust)
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Your child’s first aid kit; medicine cabinet. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
- American Red Cross. First aid kit contents. https://www.redcross.org
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA acts to stop the use of benzocaine teething products in children. Drug Safety Communication. May 2018. https://www.fda.gov
- US Food and Drug Administration. Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids. https://www.fda.gov
- Health Resources and Services Administration. Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222. https://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov
- American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. Poison treatment in the home. Pediatrics. 2003;112(5):1182-1185.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
