Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby Checklist

This shop featuring medicine cabinet essentials for baby checklist has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyLittleRemedies #CollectiveBias

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby

When you have 3 kids, you get very familiar with your medicine cabinet. And having it stocked up on all of the essentials is quite important. Because when something happens, you don’t want to have to drive to the store to take care of it. Over the years our medicine cabinet has mostly stayed the same. Save for a few new items from brands we’ve come to trust, you can find just about everything we stocked for baby #1 is still there for baby #3. It helps that I have a retired nurse for a mother-in-law! We’re sharing our list of medicine cabinet essentials for baby.

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby - Little Remedies line

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby Checklist

What to add to your medicine cabinet

Creams, Lotions & Gels

  • Diaper rash cream Diaper rash is inevitable for all babies. Look for a product that contains zinc oxide, which is best for soothing irritated skin. Now there’s even diaper rash spray so you don’t have to worry about a mess on your hands.
  • Hydrocortisone cream This anti-inflammatory salve is sold in pharmacies in 1/2- or 1-percent strengths. Both are mild enough for infants and are used mainly for eczema; dry, itchy skin; or to treat bug bites.
  • Triple antibiotic ointment Once your child is crawling and walking, he’s likely to get minor cuts or scrapes. This topical cream can be applied to scratches, cuts, or abrasions to prevent infection.
  • Petroleum jelly Besides working wonders on dry skin and eczema, this cheap, tried-and-true moisturizer can be applied to diaper rash to shield the skin from contact with irritating urine and stool. We’ve also had to use it when our children have constipation issues to help things along.

Tummy Troubles

  • Probiotics If your child has tummy troubles, or has been prescribed antibiotics, it’s a good idea to consider a probiotic for them to help rebuild their gut bacteria. Little Remedies® Probiotic Plus Electrolytes contains 5 billion active cultures of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which helps keep the digestive system in balance and supports immune function.* Little Remedies® Probiotic Plus Electrolytes also contains electrolytes to provide vital minerals and nutrients to help support hydration.* Plus, there are no artificial flavors, artificial dyes, or parabens and it is a great berry tasting dissolving powder. You can pick up some in the Digestive aisle at Target! 
  • Simethicone (Mylicon) drops This over-the-counter gas remedy stays in the gastrointestinal tract and is not absorbed into the body. It doesn’t always produce results, but it’s safe to try.
  • Gripe Water 

*This statement has not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Pain Relief

  • Acetaminophen We always have a bottle of infant Acetaminophen at the ready just in case our littles are experiencing pain or we’re trying to bring down a fever. And on our fridge is the exact dosage we can give to our child depending on their age and weight. Read the label to check the dosage, and use the dropper that comes with the product or another dosing instrument.
  • Ibuprofen As with acetaminophen, ibuprofen infant drops or liquid can relieve pain and fever. Never give it to a child younger than 4 months old without your doctor’s consent. We’ve used this when our littles were teething and inconsolable by alternating between Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as directed by our pediatrician.

Feel Better Essentials

  • Medicine syringe or dropper These little suckers will end up in just about every room of your home. But never when you need it. They are essential to ensure that you’re giving your child the right amount of medicine. Syringes, which are measured off in teaspoons and milliliters, are best. They don’t drip and are easy to direct into the mouth of a squirming baby. Make sure to clean it out after every use and put it away where you’ll find it to reduce the chance of a minor freak out occurring when its the middle of the night and you need it.
  • Nasal aspirator ditch the one they give you at the hospital! It isn’t as efficient and gets gross pretty quickly! We love the type that you physically suck on to get everything cleared out. Sure it sounds gross but it works 10 times as well. There are a few types out there and they even started selling them at major retailers like Target.
  • Saline nasal drops or spray Made from pure salt water, these drops help loosen and clear baby’s stuffy nose. They can be used alone or with a nasal aspirator (I highly suggest using these before using the nasal aspirator). A cool-mist humidifier will also soothe upper respiratory infections and loosen up the “gunk” in there.
  • Cotton swabs Use swabs to clean the folds of the outer ear. Never insert them into the inner canal of baby’s ear; you risk perforating the eardrum.
  • Bandages Don’t leave a child younger than 2 years old alone with a bandage on unless you’re sure it’s securely in place or that he can’t reach it. Bandages can become choking hazards!
  • Digital thermometer Now many experts and pediatricians claim that you should be taking your baby’s temperature rectally until they’re about 6 months of age. And I have to tell you… I’ve never done this. But neither has my pediatrician. We like to use the forehead thermometer that doesn’t even have to touch our kid and gives a reading instantly. Not only is it non-evasive but if you’ve ever had to comfort a sick child, it’s a lot less of a stressor on them as well!
  • Nail clippers Infants grow so quickly, they may need their nails trimmed every five to seven days. Use clippers designed specifically for babies, and be careful not to cut their fingertips. If your baby is resistant, try clipping her nails while she’s sleeping or otherwise occupied. I’ve also gotten away with using a small nail file.

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby - whats in our medicine cabinet

Don’t forget anything! make sure to take this Medicine Cabinet Checklist with you when you head to the store. That way you won’t have to run back for one last thing in the middle of the night. You can laminate it and keep it adhered to the inside of your medicine cabinet for quick reference. I’ve added a spot to include the expiration dates of the items you are using so there’s no risk of using an expired product. Make sure to check with your baby’s pediatrician before administering any medication.

Medicine Cabinet Essentials For Baby Checklist

(click to print)

Plus, the list can double as a packing checklist in case you and baby are travelling! We’re heading to a conference later this week so I packed everything I needed in a first aid kit so we’d have everything ready to go just in case.

Medicine Cabinet Essentials for Baby - on the go

Need to stock up on your medicine cabinet necessities? You can find everything you need at Target. Print this helpful checklist so you won’t forget anything!

And while you’re at it, take advantage of the Buy 1 Little Remedies product and get a $5 Target Gift Card offer starting 4/24 at your local Target store. This deal runs through 5/14 so stock up now!

Little Remedies at Target

What essentials do you keep on hand at all times?

DIY Baymax Upcycled Sock Rice Pack

review affiliate link disclaimer

DIY Baymax Upcycled Sock Rice Pack

Our family has a slight obsession right now. With Baymax. Do you know Baymax?

Have you seen Big Hero 6 yet? Since seeing it on the big screen when it first came out my kids have been asking when it would arrive on BluRay every week or so. And the time has finally come! Big Hero 6 is now on store shelves and available for purchase. As soon as we received our review copy in the mail the kids had it in the BluRay player and haven’t stopped watching it since!

In celebration of our little obsession I made some upcycled sock rice packs to look like Baymax. Now my kids have their own personal healthcare companions to soothe them when they bump their heads or scrape their knees and need a cold pack. Added bonus? I had everything on hand to make this craft at home in 10 minutes!

Want to make your own DIY Baymax Upcycled Sock Rice Pack? Here’s how!  [Read more…]

Anatomy for Kids: Teaching Our Children About Their Bodies

This post is sponsored by Anatomy for Kids.

Anatomy For Kids Teaching Our Children About Their Bodies

From when my children were a very young age I decided that we’d try and be as open and honest about our bodies as we could. So when I started to think about the words we would use to describe our bodies and body parts, as well as what we would share with our children when they asked, we decided to stick with the anatomically correct terminology.

As the kids are getting older it isn’t all about penises and vaginas anymore. These little inquisitive minds are coming up with some more difficult questions. And yes, they’ve already asked extensively where babies come from. My mother-in-law was always one to make sure the kids knew that a baby grew in a mom’s uterus and not in her belly.

But because they don’t always take what we say as the absolute truth, I’m glad I now have a new series of books to share with them. Anatomy for Kids, written by Dr. Shelley Metten (or Dr. M for short), is a book that focuses on what kids want to know in an age-appropriate language. [Read more…]

Ways to Explain Healthy Eating to Kids

Explain Healthy Eating to Kids

As many of my readers know, I’ve been trying to work on my weight for a long time. And that means watching what I eat, “dieting” with programs, and leading a healthy lifestyle. Since having my daughter that has brought up a lot of questions including one that has me questioning how to explain healthy eating to kids. Or the lack thereof.

Since being on Nutrisystem for 5 months my daughter now asks me, “Is that special?” whenever she sees me eating or drinking something. And I don’t want her to think that I can only eat or drink special things. I want her to know that because I didn’t eat that healthy when I was younger and made poor choices, I’m now making up for it in an attempt to get to a healthy weight. And that since she already eats healthy and is active she doesn’t need the “special” food that mommy eats.

But how in the world do I tell her that? She’s 2! And she sees me get on the scale every day checking in with myself. So much so that she’s decided to jump along with me and weighs herself as well. [Read more…]

5 Reasons to Drink Water For Kids

This article is sponsored by Nestlé® Pure Life® Purified Water

Growing up I always heard that if I drink enough water my skin would stay clear. So I drank water like crazy. Vanity will get you everywhere when you’re talking to a teenager, right?

As the mom of two young kids I’m constantly worrying if my children drinking enough water. From their constant requests for juice or milk to the fact that everywhere we go they have the option to choose sugary drinks over water I just hope that I’m doing the best I can when I push water first. Keeping kids hydrated is important.

My daughter is awesome at choosing water. She has no problem taking her bottle of water with her everywhere and drinking it when thirsty throughout the day. However my son prefers milk and always chooses it over water. So I’ve begun researching the importance of hydration.

What I’ve found has reaffirmed my belief that water should be their first choice in drink. And I really hope that as they grow up they’ll realize just how great water really is. And not just because it leaves you with fabulous skin.

5 Reasons to Drink Water For Kids

[Read more…]

Keeping Kids Healthy with Great Snack Options {Back to School Special}

Keeping Kids Healthy with Great Snack Options

Now that the kids are going back to school and the craziness of summer is coming to an end, it’s time to start talking healthy snack options!

One of my main concerns with my kids is the fact that they want to snack all.day.long. So I’ve tried my best to offer a variety of foods to not only keep them open minded about what they eat, but also keep them aware of the colors they eat and trying to make sure they get to every color of the rainbow!

If they’re going to snack, they’re going to snack the right way.  [Read more…]

Underweight and an Iron Deficiency?

Last Thursday my daughter had her follow up weight check. If you remember, she fell off the chart at her 15 month appointment and the pediatrician wanted to make sure she was staying on her own curve and not plateauing in weight. Height and head circumference were just fine.

So we beefed up the healthy calories and really focused on structured meals and snacks to make sure she had as many opportunities to eat healthy, caloric foods as possible to keep her on the right track.

And the results?

In six weeks she gained 11 ounces. Enough to keep her on her own curve and out of the ‘danger zone’ of plateauing on the curve.

But, and that’s a big but, the pediatrician wanted to see a bit more of a gain to get her back onto the charts. We’ll continue to make sure she’s offered a variety of nutritious meals and snacks as well as making sure the foods we feed her are higher in calories.

Now that we’ve gotten the weight issue taken care of we’re fine, right? Wrong.

At the 15 month check up my daughter’s iron levels were low. The pedi re-checked the numbers again this time and they’re still low. Now we have to  supplement with iron drops. Not easy for a girl who doesn’t eat much.

Not only am I now trying to offer lots of foods, I’m also trying to offer foods that I can hide the iron drops in. And this girl eats maybe 5 bites of one thing at a time. Not great when the metallic flavor of the iron supplement needs to be masked by the food or drink it’s in.

I still have yet to get a full dose in her. And she needs two doses a day, every day.

Luckily I have an awesome BFF who recommended a few products to try out. She currently uses Floradix Iron & Herbs and loves it. 

I actually first heard of this brand back at BlogHer’11 last year and have even received samples at a few events I’ve attended over the past few months. I’ve put a call in to the pediatrician to see if he approves of this alternative.

They even have a kids multivitamin I’ve heard great things about called Floradix Kinderlove Children’s Multiple Vitamin. I might get that as well to start Ethan on something in case he’s lacking in nutrition too.

We’re also making Green Monsters every day and are considering adding chlorella or spirulina. There isn’t a ton of iron in the chlorella or spirulina but it’s very easily assimilated. There’s also a chewable called Nature’s Plus Animal Parade Kid Greenz that I’m looking into as well.

And on top of the supplements I am also watching her Vitamin C consumption as well since it’s supposed to aid in absorption of iron. So along with the iron drops I’m also offering orange juice, melon, strawberries, apricots, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes and potatoes.

I’m going to try my best to get her iron levels up and decide on a course of action. If it’s not one thing it’s another! So is life…

A positive in this is the fact that my daughter is a smart, funny, and very personable 16 1/2 month old and we are blessed that our problems are ones we can address and resolve. I know that some families aren’t as lucky.

Have any suggestions for increasing iron? I’d love to hear them!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through to the sponsor’s website your are helping support the Simmworks Family Blog. 

Green Monster Smoothies {Breakfast Recipe}

Green Monster Smoothie

One of my favorite new ways to get greens into my kids is by blending them up into smoothie form. And this smoothie started it all. Now this is just your basic Green Monster. There are so many different variations of this smoothie and my kids and I love to experiment with what we put in it when we make it.

For some awesome ways to shake up the original recipe check out my friend CB’s Green Monster journey over on her blog See Cupcake Run. Just search for “green monster” since I’m not sure how to link to one of her categories.

Green Monster Smoothie

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 ripe, frozen banana, peeled
  • 3 handfuls organic spinach
  • 1 tablespoon ground flax
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or PB2)
  • 4-5 ice cubes

Add 1 cup of milk to the blender.

Now add in the chia or flax (if using) and nut butter.

Next, add in the spinach followed by the banana on top.

Blend until smooth.

Add in your ice cubes and blend some more.

Serves 2 | 4 WW pp+ with PB2 (not including banana)

Early Stages of Speech Development: Pointing and Gestures

No, we didn’t get another dog. My daughter has started pointing! And I am loving it. When my son started pointing I didn’t realize it was such a big deal until one of my friends (who happens to be a speech language pathologist) commented about it and let me know that it was a good sign that he was developing right on track.

I actually noticed it when I was playing Angry Birds on my smartphone and she kept reaching over from her seat on the couch to try and touch the screen with her little pointer finger. She saw me pointing at the screen (launching the birds) and wanted to do the same! Then on our most recent trip to Disneyland this past week she started pointing at things around her. So we took advantage of her interest and started telling her about everything she pointed at. She might have been overwhelmed just a bit…

It’s important for kids under 12 months of age to be watched for signs that they’re using their “voices” to relate to their environment. A few things to look for in your infant to make sure that they are on track are listed below. Knowing what’s “normal” and what’s not in speech and language development can help you figure out if you should be concerned or if your child is right on schedule. 

Early Stages of Speech Development
Birth to 3 Months

  • Respond to speech by looking at the speaker
  • Respond differently to the voice of a parent than to other voices
  • React to changes in a speaker’s tone, pitch, volume, and intonation
  • Respond differently to their home language and another language
  • Communicate with bodily movements, by crying, babbling, and laughing
  • Attempt to imitate sounds

3 Months to 6 Months

  • Exchange sounds, facial expressions, or gestures with a parent or caregiver
  • Listen to conversations
  • Repeat some vowel and consonant sounds

6 Months to 9 Months

  • Begin repetitive babbling (deaf children also start to babble with their hands)
  • Associate gestures with simple words and two-word phrases, like “hi” and “bye-bye”
  • Use vocal and non-vocal communication to express interest and influence others 
  • Saying words like “mama” and “dada” (without really understanding what those words mean)

9 Months to 12 Months

  • Understand the names of familiar people and objects (for example bottle, binky, etc.)
  • Show their understanding with responsive body language and facial expressions
  • Say a few words
  • Respond to a firm “no” by stopping what they are doing

There are certain milestones that children are evaluated for at their well-baby visits. For the 12 month visit, pointing, gesturing and waving good-bye along with a few spoken words are great signs that a baby is on track developmentally. Being able to communicate for an infant can be difficult at times because of the lack of a vocabulary. But if you watch your infant closely you can see that they’re constantly communicating with you in their own special way. And don’t worry if your child hasn’t met some or all of the developmental guides listed above. If you have any concerns about your child’s development please speak with your pediatrician.

Sources: PBS, Kids Health, ASHA



© A Crafty Spoonful - All Rights Reserved
It is OK to use one of my photos provided a link back and/or proper credit is given. It is NOT ok to copy and paste a whole post including instructions. Please do not remove watermarks or alter images in any way. Please contact me with any questions at danielle@acraftyspoonful.com

.