There’s nothing quite like the magic and wonder of being a new parent, with your newborn child a complete bundle of joy in your life. Sure, there’s the lack of sleep and the crying, but you wouldn’t change it for the world. Nothing beats the feeling of holding them in your arms, so tiny and precious, with your paternal instincts truly kicking in.
And that’s why it makes sense to equip your first aid kits at home with everything required to care for a baby. Having a fully stocked first aid kit is an essential part of being a new parent, ready for any unexpected challenges that may pop up. But what exactly should go in a first aid kit for new parents?
This informative article will share a helpful checklist that you can cross off as stock up on your first aid supplies. Continue reading to learn more.
A Small Pair Of Nail Scissors
A small pair of scissors is a newborn baby first aid kit essential. Use these nifty tools to cut gauze dressings to the correct size in case of a wound, open all those packages and trim your baby’s fingernails and toenails. You can choose a pair of scissors that come with a file and a small magnifying glass, which will help you get a good look at those tiny nail beds when it comes to clipping time.
Sterile Cotton Wool Balls
A packet of sterile cotton wool balls is an absolute must for any new baby first aid kit. These can be used for a range of applications, from dabbing on antiseptic creams and liquids, to cleaning scrapes and cuts. These fluffy cotton balls are sure to come in handy. Pick up a packet at your local chemist or stock up on a bulk buy online.
A Thermometer
A fever (any temperature over 37.5 degrees Celsius) is often the first sign of illness in infant children, so it’s vital to have a trustworthy thermometer at home as part of your first aid kit. Some people recommend a contactless forehead device, but these can be inaccurate. An ear-reading thermometer is the best option, and you can even get one that can be set to read both adults’ and infants’ temperatures, so the whole family can use it.
A Dosing Syringe
If your baby ever needs to take medication, it will be given as a liquid. In order to accurately and effectively measure the medication, you can invest in a measuring dosing syringe that can also be used to administer the medication to bubs.
A Nasal Aspirator
Your baby can’t physically blow their nose, which means it’s the parent’s job to clear any stuffiness. Fortunately, a nifty nasal aspirator offers a safe and clean solution to this problem. The suction on this tool can be adjusted to suit your baby’s comfort level, and the mucus chamber, nose tip and mouthpiece attachments are all dishwasher safe to keep it clean after each use.
Saline Solution
If your baby has a cold or is stuffy and congested, a few drops of a saline solution can work to break up the mucus, used in conjunction with the aspirator. Invest in a small bottle to go into your new first aid kit for your baby.
Sudocrem
Nappy rash can and most likely will occur, causing an uncomfortable and painful sensation for your baby. A great fix for this common problem is the humble jar of Sudocrem, which can be purchased at your local chemist or online.
Gas Relief Drops
Gas and wind are a common and painful experience for newborn babies, who have less developed digestive systems and tend to swallow a lot of air whilst feeding. Some simethicone gas relief drops can be an excellent solution for this, and you can purchase variants of it at most pharmacies.
Infant Paracetamol
In case of a mild fever, paracetamol is the first-line treatment that is effective at reducing colds in infants. There are a few brands available on the market, and this medicine is perfect to administer with your new dosing syringe recommended above. When your child is old enough, make sure they’re vaccinated against the flu for free, which can have much more serious effects in younger bodies.
Vaseline
Your baby may deal with dry skin or lips, especially during the colder months. Vaseline is triple-purified petroleum jelly that is hypoallergenic and won’t clog pores, making it perfect for sensitive and newborn skin.
Tweezers
Finally, our last item is a handy tool that can be used to remove splinters from a baby’s skin. Grab some small tweezers online or at a local chemist and pop them in your new first aid kit.
In Summary
This helpful article has shared your first aid checklist for new parents, listing all the valuable medical and personal hygiene care items that may benefit your baby. Being prepared will help you feel more confident, and knowing where these items are at all times will enable you to deal with issues promptly. Follow this list to establish a healthy and safe first year for your newborn child.
