Parenting Checklists

Medicine Chest

Digital thermometer

• Infants' non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

• Topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (1/2 percent) for insect bites and rashes

• Rubbing alcohol to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors

• Petroleum jelly to lubricate thermometer

• Antibacterial ointment for cuts and scrapes

• Tweezers for splinters and ticks

• A pair of sharp scissors

• A pair of safety manicure scissors

• Child-safe sunscreen lotion (click here for details on baby sun safety and sunscreen guidelines)

• Child-safe insect repellent

• Pediatrician-approved children's-strength liquid decongestant

• Nasal aspirator bulb syringe for drawing mucus out of a stuffy nose (not the pointy-ended ear syringe)

• An assortment of adhesive bandage strips in various sizes and shapes.

• Gauze rolls (1/2 to 2 inches wide)

• Gauze pads (2x2 and 4x4 inches)

• Adhesive tape

• Sterilized cotton balls

• Cotton-tipped swabs

• Mild liquid soap (antibacterial and deodorant soaps may be too strong for babies' sensitive skin)

• Baby shampoo

• Baby moisturizing cream to help soothe your baby's skin

• A medicine dropper, oral syringe, or calibrated cup or spoon for administering medicines

• A package of tongue depressors to check sore throats

• A heating pad

• A hot-water bottle and ice pack

• A small flashlight to check ears, nose, throat, and eyes

• First-Aid manual. The American Red Cross's Standard First Aid & Personal Safety gives detailed advice for handling both minor and major emergencies.

Additional item to include only if recommended by your pediatrician:

• Rehydration fluids, such as Pedialyte, to treat infant diarrhea.

FYI: If your child is allergic to bee stings, peanuts, or shellfish, or if he has some other type of life-threatening allergy, carry an epinephrine kit with you and keep another one in your first-aid kit.