The Baby Ventures of Xing Mom

Things we parents should know and should have available in our house at all times.

Print this checklist of supplies you'll need for dealing with minor medical problems at home or while traveling.

Essential items:

Prescription medications
Also bring a copy of the prescriptions and your doctor's phone number, just in case, but bear in mind that some pharmacies accept only local prescriptions. Include a medicine dropper or oral syringe as well.

Thermometer
You'll probably want a digital rectal thermometer for an infant and a digital oral thermometer for an older child.

Baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen
For lowering fever and easing pain

Liquid soap
Get the gel kind that doesn't require water. Useful for cleaning up scrapes as well as messy diaper changes when your child has diarrhea.

Antibiotic ointment
To help heal cuts and scrapes and keep them from becoming infected

Sterile bandages
You may also include sterile gauze pads to clean up scrapes and staunch bleeding.

Tweezers
For removing splinters or ticks

Sunscreen and lip protection with SPF 15 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection
For use on babies six months and older, and in small amounts (on the face and back of the hands) in babies under 6 months.

Insect repellent
Use 5-10% DEET for babies, 25% for adults.

Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream
To soothe insect bites, rashes, and sunburn.

Cold pack
To reduce swelling from bumps, bites, and minor burns. Get the kind you just squeeze to start the cooling reaction.

First aid pocket guide
Try Janet Zand's Parent's Guide to Medical Emergencies.


Optional items:

Electrolyte replacement solution
Helps prevent diarrhea-related dehydration; some brands are made just for babies