BABYS'MEDICINE CHEST
BE SURE TO GET INFANT CPR TRAINING
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS - keep these in an obvious place (refrigerator, inside cover of your phonebook, kitchen cupboard door etc.). This information is then available in one place for anyone tending baby. Laminate (or cover with clear contact) to keep it readable and make it last. Include your regular caregiver [ MD, DO, Naturopath etc.] and a backup. Also for 911 Calls - include your address and cross street - as well as your Hospital Emergency Number. Record any insurance data; also fire and police/sheriff numbers and your drugstore (including after hours) phone number. Also include a couple of neighbors' and/or close family members' numbers.
THERMOMETER - purchasing the digital style is a better choice. The common glass types are worrisome because of the potential for breakage and possible injury (or mercury poisoning). The "temp tape" types can be troublesome to read or difficult to hold in place on an infant. The "in ear" models are not always accurate and comparatively expensive.
LIQUIDS MEASURING DEVICE - there are several types you will find in any large drugstore. One, useful for infants, has a small measured container with a nipple attached. There are also the spoons with a hollow measuring handle - handy for older children. Use it to get the required amount of liquid remedy and then poor it into any nipple for an infant to drink.
ACETOMENOPHEN LIQUID - a generic liquid brand is equally effective and frequently less costly than the popular brand " Tylenol." As with any remedy, be careful not to use it frequently - liver damage has been documented with its chronic use. * Remember use no Aspirin containing product if your child has symptoms of a viral infection!
ALOE VERA - a wonderful source of a healing gel for all the family. Keep a plant, or two, around your home for decoration as well as healing. You can also purchase a container of the gel in many larger pharmacies - or health stores. It is used to comfort and cool minor burns (very effective on sunburn), and soothes many skin irritations & rashes.
SILVADENE - a very effective burn ointment. It has antibacterial constituents and is remarkably useful in reducing the pain of a bad sunburn as well as healing them and severe small tissue burns as well. It is only available by prescription so, you need to ask your health care professional to provide this for you to have on hand for your firstaid cupboard. *Any MD, Physician's Assistant [PA], or Nurse Practitioner [ARNP] can do this for you.
BAG BALM - this is a sulfa-based veterinarian all purpose healing ointment. It sounds strange, but for decades it has been the unsung vanquisher of infected wounds for rural America. Great for many diaper rash problems and effective on some eczema out breaks. You could also keep this as an all-purpose antibacterial salve for cuts and scrapes. It is available in most large pharmacy chains.
SALINE NOSE DROPS - [mix when needed.] Bring 1 cup cold tap water to a boil. Add ¼ tsp. salt and let it dissolve. Allow the liquid to cool then store in a clean, covered jar - discard after 4-5 days as it can spoil. Use this for a congested nose.
Place 3-4 drops in each nostril - if you don't have a dropper handy, a small spoon will work to dribble a little into each nostril. Then take a small bit of cotton and pull it out (with a twisting motion) into a point [an inch (or so) in length]. Next, push it gently up one nostril. It can go up inside a 1/2 inch or so - then wiggle it around. You are trying to get baby to sneeze - and it will. Be ready to wipe a wad of mucus off its face. This process is much less traumatic than trying to suck out the nose with one of those bulb syringes that are often recommended but which babies dislike.
The saline thins the mucus, which makes it easier to get it out. It also reduces congestion in the nasal passages. The effect usually provides about 20-40 minutes of a nose clear enough so baby can feed well. Because a baby is a nose breather, a snotty nose can make for a
very fussy and irritable baby when it tries to nurse or be fed a bottle. This solution is an easy remedy, and the ingredients are always available in most households - even in the middle of the night on a weekend. This mixture can also be used by anyone to clear a stuffy nose.
MEASURING DROPPER - keep a couple for use with nose drops. You will find additional use for these as your child grows - they make great newborn kitten feeders & are useful for mixing colors for art projects.
COUGH SYRUP - mix ¼ cup corn (or maple) syrup with 1 drop oil of cloves and 1Tbsp 40% (80 proof) liquor (vodka has the least flavor - you can get a tiny bottle from the liquor store). This small amount of alcohol is less than what is found in many childrens' cough syrups. It relaxes smooth muscles as well as supresses the cough reflex. When your child is over one year of age - substitute honey for the syrup. It is actually more soothing. Dosage for infants under 3 months (or 10 pounds) is not recommended. Do not try to stop a cough that is bringing up thick secretions - you want that junk out. But, if the child's cough is preventing sleep or is continuous - then you want to try something to provide relief. * If baby sounds like a barking seal when coughing; or chokes with the cough or also has a fever or is acting "different - sleepier etc." CONSULT YOUR BABY-CARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY to evaluate the situation!
You might also loosen secretions and soothe a cough with mist.
LIQUID DECONGESTANT - there are several to choose from but select a product that is alcohol free. You don't need the alcohol component in this instance. "Triaminic" orange, or a generic substitute, works well. In older children (2 & up) you may want to use a little more (1/4 - 1/2 tsp. more) than the advised dose if the child has a really snotty nose. Try to use it sparingly - like before a nap or bedtime. A shower can help loosen secretions too.
MENTHOLTATUM / TIGER BALM - eucalyptus oil, menthol crystals etc. Something aromatic in a lanolin or petrolatum base to rub on the back, chest or sides of the rib cage in conditions of chest congestion. These can also be melted in a bowl of hot water and the steam inhaled to open up congested lungs.
GENTIAN VIOLET - excellent for yeast/fungal infections: oral thrush [ or thrush on a breast] responds well to this. It is inexpensive and more effective compared to the commonly prescribed "Nystatin" remedy. It is available at most drug stores - try the 2% solution. It does stain things purple - even skin. On the skin the cells will wear off eventually, but any cloth etc. is permanently purple.
COTTONBALLS - make sure they are 100% cotton - not rayon. They are found at lower cost in places like Kmart, ShopKo etc. The rayon balls are fine for some purposes but the cotton ones are more absorbent.
PEDIALYTE - keep a couple bottles on hand for fluid replacement. Use if your baby has had diarrhea or has been vomiting its feedings. It can be found in most larger supermarkets. Older children and adults can also use it - but "Power Ade" or "Recharge" are more palatable. "Gatorade" really has more sodium than you need, but can work too.
These are also good if anyone has been playing or working in excessive heat.
HOT WATER BOTTLE - works anywhere and you don't have a problem with the electrical cord of a heating pad. There are a variety of reasons for you to keep a heat therapy aid in your home health cabinet. "Instant on" disposable pads are also available in larger and some discount store pharmacies. They are great for ear aches.
HUMIDIFIER - purchase a cold mist humidifier - avoid those that are heated to assure there is no potential for a burn accident. This is useful for colds and "croup"
PEROXIDE - mixed with water 1/2 & 1/2. Makes a good mouth rinse for canker sores. Good for pouring over cuts and abrasions to remove dirt and provide some bacterial cleansing of wounds. Pour over fresh (not dried) blood stains in any type of cloth to prevent a permanent stain - then wash.
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