Stocking Your Medicine Cabinet for a Newborn

Congratulations!  Your first child is due any time now and you could not be more overjoyed… and panic-stricken at the same time.  Veteran moms will tell you that all babies need is food, dry diapers, a roof over their heads and a lot of love.  However, manufacturers of baby items lead you to believe that you will be utterly lost without their 200 items that are essential for your newborn’s survival. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with a helpful guide to aid new parents as they get ready to welcome their bundle of joy into the world.  What should you have stocked in your medicine cabinet before you bring home baby?

Take a look:

Rectal Thermometer.  Pediatricians agree that rectal thermometers give the most accurate readings.  However, most doctors also realize that many parents are weary of using one so they suggest taking your baby’s temperature in a way that you feel most comfortable.  Be warned, though, digital ear thermometers are notoriously inaccurate when used on infants.

Cotton Swabs.  The versatile tool is gentle enough to clean the outside of a baby’s ear canal and is also great for cleaning and drying the base of your newborn’s umbilical cord. 

Cotton Balls.  When dipped in warm water cotton balls are helpful to clear discharge from your baby’s eyes and nose. 
Vaseline.  Helpful when placed on a rectal thermometer.  In addition, petroleum jelly is useful for aftercare of healing circumcisions.

Nasal Bulb Syringe.  Most hospitals provide parents with a large nasal bulb syringe and nurses typically show them how to suck out saliva and secretions from a newborn’s mouth. A smaller variety with a flexible soft tip can be purchased and used to clear out a baby’s stuffy nose.

Sterile Saline Drops.  The drops can be used to loosen up mucus that might be obstructing your newborn’s nostril and disrupting the flow of breathing.

Baby Nail Clippers.  Most new parents are frightened to death of using them for the first time, but a newborn’s nails grow quickly and need frequent trimming.  The good news is that infant nails are very soft so it’s easy just to clip the edge of the nail and peel the remainder off.

See Also:

Summer Safety Information for Parents
Treating Swimmer’s Ear
What You Need to Know About Swimmer’s Ear