Stocking your medicine cabinet will give you some extra peace of mind that you are well prepared to tend to whatever you may be faced with—from tiny toenails to first fevers and stuffy noses. While there are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes a well-stocked medicine cabinet, here’s our streamlined list of suggested staples.
- Baby nail clippers. Adult-sized clippers are not advised.
- Cotton balls and/or swabs. We can think of numerous uses.
- Thermometer. And yes, we mean the rectal kind.
- Fever reducers. Not to be given lightly, but definitely good to be prepared with acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol) on hand for first fevers.
- Medicine syringe. Useful but not mandatory, since infant medications come with measuring devices.
- Bulb suction and saline drops. It’s best to avoid overuse, but when used appropriately, stuffy noses don’t need to leave you feeling helpless.
- Diaper cream. Can wait, but certainly convenient to have on hand and likely to get used.
- Petroleum jelly. Multipurpose, safe, and bound to be used on various occasions.