As humans, our health sometimes fail us and remedies are needed to help us feel better again. Accidents may happen anytime too, without warning. Ideally, there should be a medicine cabinet and a first aid kit in every home. If you have a baby or small child in the house, there should be no excuse not to be well-stocked on medical and emergency aid supplies, for with little children, anything can happen!

What’s the big deal anyway?

Anyone with a young child would be able to tell you that a medicine cabinet is a must in their home, and so is a first aid kit. After all, the last thing you want is to be in a scenario when your little one is sick or has acquired an injury and you’re out of medicine or first aid supplies.

If you happen to already have them, chances are that this little cupboard, cabinet or box would be either very well stocked or in need of fresh supplies. Having said that, supplies can sometimes be very tricky to maintain, for the contents need to be monitored in terms of expiry dates, spoilage, leakages and so on, even for items that have not yet been used.

A well-stocked medicine cabinet and first-aid kit, located or kept within easy reach, are necessities in every home to help deal with emergencies at a moment’s notice. When it comes to first-aid kits, keep one at home and one in each car. Also, do bring one along on family vacations. You can purchase a first aid kit at a pharmacy, or alternatively, you may make your own using roomy, durable, easy to carry, and easy to open containers.

Medical supplies to stock up on:

• Digital thermometer (separate ones for armpit and rectal use).
• Babies’ non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen, and if
• 6 months or older, ibuprofen).
• Topical cream for cuts, bruises and wounds. BabyOrganix Nature’s First Aid Cream is good example.
• Rubbing alcohol to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors.
• Water-soluble lubricant such as petroleum jelly (for rectal thermometers).
• An oral syringe for administering medicines that don’t come with a measuring dropper.
• Electrolyte solution for hydration after vomiting (must be refrigerated after opening).
• A heating pad for minor aches and pains.
• An instant cold compress to reduce swelling that comes with minor bumps and bruises.
• A small flashlight for easier checking of baby’s nose, ears, and mouth.
• Tweezers for removing splinters.
• Nasal aspirator or bulb syringe for drawing mucus out of a stuffy nose.
• Saline drops to loosen mucus before suction.
• Dressings and bandages for first aid kits:
• Mild liquid soap for cleaning cuts and scrapes.
• Antibacterial ointment for cuts and scrapes.
• Adhesive bandage strips in various sizes and shapes.
• Gauze rolls for making bandages.
• Gauze pads for making bandages or applying pressure to cuts to stop bleeding.
• Adhesive tape for making bandages.
• A pair of sharp scissors for cutting gauze and tape.
• Cotton balls for applying liquids (like calamine lotion) and for cleaning supplies with alcohol.
• A blanket for emergency use.

Additional supplies

• Gas relievers such as Gripe water, or colic drops.
• A pair of baby nail clippers or a small nail file for trimming your baby’s nails.
• Baby-safe sunscreen lotion.
• Baby-safe insect repellent. Try Moogoo Tail Swat.
• Topical pain relief gel for teething.