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Medicine Chest

Your Baby Today: Pregnancy: Checklists Medicine Chest From the Editors of Your Baby Today

For a new parent, the first time your baby gets sick can be a very scary experience. That said, it's helpful to have a list of items on-hand so that you're prepared to handle any health-related situation that you may come in contact with. However, be certain to call your pediatrician before giving medications to a newborn and for medical issues that you are unsure of. Have a list of phone numbers (including your pediatrician and local emergency contacts) posted around your home, as well as stored in your cell phone for easy access. General Health cotton balls (to clean ears) cotton-tipped swabs (to clean umbilical-cord area, not ears) bandages, in assorted shapes and sizes sterile gauze pads and bandage rolls (1-inch and 2-inch varieties) adhesive tape sharp scissors with rounded ends ice pack hot-water bottles tweezers and a small packet of needles (for removing splinters) Allergy and Congestion nasal aspirator saline nose drops cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier (to help clear stuffy noses) Thermometers thermometer--rectal (with short round bulb) thermometer--digital rectal (easy to use on squirming bottoms) thermometer--tympanic (for use in the ear; faster but more expensive) thermometer--auxillary (underarm; faster but more expensive) rubbing alcohol (to clean thermometers) Creams and Ointments petroleum jelly bacitracin ointment diaper rash ointment OTC Meds acetaminophen ibuprofen (for use in infants 6 months and older) decongestant drops syrup of ipecac glycerin suppositories diarrhea medicine

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