When DD was a baby I had no idea what to stock in my medicine cupboard so DH and I bought all kinds of things- many of which have never been used - or which could have been improvised.
Just thought id share the items we consider 'essential' and
which I try to never be without.
Panadol (or Paracetamol) ; This is great stuff- make sure you have it appropriate to the age of your child. At one stage we had three bottles of the stuff in the cupboard. "baby", then the next one- up to 5 and then 5 to 12. it is brilliant- it deals with pain, inflammation and high temperature and it works quickly.
The only time Panadol failed us was when DD first had her braces on - only
Nurofen would deal with that pain. We alwasy have a packet of Nurofen and Panadol on hand for Mum and Dad too.
Band-aids boxes of the things! Littlies feel much better if they get a band-aid (even when there is no blood). They also keep the wound clean and it stops hurting quicker.
Disinfectant We use
Betadine or Dettol- but whatever you like- just have it! You will need it if they have their ears pierced to keep the piercing clean and to sterilise new earrings. Also use if for any cuts on the feet as they tend to be pretty grubby (so do hands , lol) Personally i use it for all wounds - just a quick dab on a cotton ball (yes they might squall but it makes a huge difference to the healing to kill as many germs as possible,
Savlon (or other antiseptic cream) this stuff is super - it soothes and also cleans- sometimes it may sting a little at first but as soon as the band aid goes on its all good, not nice on the nappy area though.
Canestan Cream For Mum if you get Thrush - for nappy rash and other fungal infections- great stuff.
Vicks Vapour rub at the first hint of a cold- rub a little on chest and back just before bed - then snuggle into the warmth (helps them breathe at night). we call this "all better" in our house cos it makes you all better ;-)
Deep Heat 'regular rub' (have tried others and i think this is the best ) All our kids suffered from 'growing pains' DS6 still does occasionally. Rub this on the aching legs then cover with pj trouser legs and into bed with a hot water bottle. With DS8 DH and I often had to rub a leg each (when he was about 5 or 6 i think it was) - he never gets pain in his legs now. Its also good for sporting strains and aching backs (for mum and Dad.) Just dont get it near eyes or mouth or nappy area (it stings! same with the Vicks)
Eurax cream for itches Great stuff - works really well on itchy insect bites or a rash from touching some kinds of plants etc.
Cotton buds - great for getting things out of eyes and for putting dettol on a small scratch and keeping ears clean (just dont shove it into the ear canal- clean gently at the entrance and around the external ear)
Cotton balls perfect for gently dabbing disinfectant on a wound (and makeup removal!).
Wartner This is fairly new and I cannot recommend it highly enough. All our kids got warts on their feet from the local swimming pool (yes i am a BIG advocate of thongs and wont let them go in the toilet block or showers without them on their feet- BUT they still have to climb in and out the pool with bare feet and they all got them. We tried a multitude of treatments (many are messy smelly, take ages and HURT - including treatment at the doctor,) This is by FAR the best. It is quick and easy and VERY effective. (just follow the directions to the letter).
Headlice comb and shampoo (also teatree or eucalypt or lavander/geranium essential oil - few drops in a spray bottle of water) Prevention is better than cure - spray their hair lightly before school- comb through weekly and if others at school are getting lice USE the shampoo!!!!!!!! Yes before you think you need to.
Decongestant cough medicine (dont wait until its sunday night and the kids are coughing and cant sleep- have a bottle on hand!
Antihistamine. We use Claratyne Syrup - works very well for us - it does hayfever and allergic conditions- also can be good for insect bites if there is a bit of a reaction (red itchy lump)
Tweezers - essential item! - removes thorns, splinters and so on. Remember dont grab bee stings with them- flick the sting out (easy to do)
Vaseline or PawPAw or such like for those LICK marks. We have a kid that does this and Its very common (licking their lips and around lips so the area ends up dry and sore)
Bandages - My mum used to bandage my sore legs or arms cos it made me feel better - lol . I keep them for sprained ankles and so on. DS8 bent his thumb back and it was sore to write - the bandage around his thumb and wrist held it stiff enough and gave him enough support so he could do his school work. We also have very long 'snake bite' bandages which we have in the house and car at all times.
Saline eye drops (You can rinse eyes out with a home made solution but these are handy to have on hand -you generally need them in a hurry. they come in little vials or a larger container. I like the vials because they are sterile and one use. very simple)
Salt. MAke up a brilliant sore throat cure (just salty water - it is fantastic- I use it myself) Also a weaker solution for rinsing eyes. To make these you boil water then let it cool. For eyes 1.5 teaspoons to 500 ml of cooled boiled water. For throats I make it stronger. The kids hate it and dont use it - DD13 does though and so do DH and I. I very rarely so anything with eyes as if YOU DONT RUB them they will generally wash out the foriegn object (just tell the child to blink slowly and maybe hold a warm wet cloth over the eye.) However a rinse is the next step and is very good.
If I thinkof others i will add them- but these are the staples- if i had NOTHING else I would have Bandaids, Savlon, Panadol, Vicks and Deep Heat !
Oh- and ALWAYS have an ice pack in the freezer - yep a packet of frozen homebrand peas is perfect..........
Any one else have favourite
Must HAve remedies?
(November 2006) (
