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Sick season comes without warning. One minute you’re admiring your baby’s soft skin, and the next, you’re dealing with a midnight fever, a stuffy nose, and an unhappy baby.
Whether you’re about to give birth when you’re very sick or you’re just too cold for your baby, having a dedicated supply kit is a game-changer. Put these essentials in the basket ahead of time so you don’t have an emergency 2 am pharmacy rush or stress when your child needs exercise.
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The non-negotiables for congestion and fever
Key Features of Genexa Baby’s Clean Start: It will open a new windowWhen a fever strikes or a cough wakes your child up, you want relief as soon as possible without too much fuss. This kit contains clean, dye-free alternatives to traditional medicine, including infant acetaminophen for fever and pain, baby cough medicine, and vitamin D drops. It’s an all-in-one pack for your medicine cabinet.
Frida Medicine Pacifier Syringe:It will open a new window Getting a squirmy baby to swallow liquid medicine is a special kind of battle. This clever device uses an applicator that sends a medicine into your child’s cheek, making them less likely to spit up. Bonus: The pacifier piece detaches so you can put it in a regular medicine cabinet.
Vicks SpeedRead Digital ThermometerIt will open a new window: When you suspect fever, speed and accuracy are everything. This thermometer gives you a reading in eight seconds, and the color-coded screen instantly lets you know where things are. The soft, flexible tip makes it ideal for reading bowel movements (the gold standard for babies under 3 months). Pro tip: Write “rectal only” with a sharpie before putting it in your kit!
Gel Cold PacksIt will open a new window: Ice packs are often too much for a child. Small reusable gel packs are also made with small bodies and have a very soft coating so that the cold plastic does not come into direct contact with the skin. They provide restful relief for fevers, minor sores, or days after vaccinations.
Remove the fresh air and refresh the skin
Levoit Top-Fill HumidifierIt will open a new window: Adding moisture to the air helps loosen mucus so stuffy babies can breathe and sleep more easily. While any cooler will do, this one wins points for being super compact and easy to clean. Humidifiers can get moldy if not cleaned regularly, so making them easy to clean is a huge win for busy parents.
Frida Baby Saline KitIt will open a new window: Children can’t blow their noses, which means that cleaning up the mess falls on you. Skip the old bulb injections that hide the mold and go for the SnotSucker combined with a gentle saline spray. A quick mist softens the dry mucus, and the suction clears their nose in seconds.
Boogie WipesIt will open a new window: Wiping 30 noses a day with regular pads will leave your baby’s skin red and raw. These gentle mineral wipes dissolve dry snot on contact while aloe, chamomile, and vitamin E soothe skin. Keep a packet in your sick day kit and another in your diaper bag.
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Supplements for comfort and relaxation
Aquaphor Baby Healing OilIt will open a new window: Colds and dry skin often go hand in hand, especially when you’re constantly wiping away snot. Applying a thin layer of petrolatum to the base of your baby’s nose creates a protective barrier that protects the skin before it gets raw. It is also good for drool rashes and sore cheeks.
Zarbee’s Soothing Chest RubIt will open a new window: When a nighttime cough keeps everyone awake, a gentle chest massage can provide comfort. Made with beeswax and shea butter, this petroleum-free oil uses lavender and eucalyptus oils to help your baby get the nutrients they need to heal.