What to include
Bandages, tools & more
- Digital thermometer with flexible tip
- Nasal aspirator to clear a stuffy little nose
- Alcohol-free disinfectant for cleaning wounds
- Tick remover (tweezers or card)
- Small cool packs for insect bites, bumps, and blunt injuries (store in the freezer)
- Tweezers for splinters, etc.
- Disposable gloves for treating open wounds
- Waterproof plasters in various sizes
- Bandaging materials: adhesive tape and sterile gauze bandages and compresses in various sizes for large and small wounds; burn dressing; triangular bandage to secure dressings or as an arm sling; bandage scissors; linen cloth for compresses
- Flashlight, e.g., to look at the throat when there’s a sore throat
Medications for baby’s cabinet
Very important: adult medications are not for children—not even at a lower dose! Only include medicines that are truly suitable for babies. It’s best to have your pediatrician advise you when assembling your “growing” home medicine cabinet.
- Physiological saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) as nasal drops; decongestant nasal drops for colds (for short-term use only)
- Ointment for caring for red or sore bottoms
- Caraway suppositories; wind or tummy balm for gas and constipation
- Electrolyte solution for children for diarrhea
- Teething aids
- Fever-reducing suppositories or syrup
- Cough tea or cough syrup (ideally herbal, e.g., ivy, thyme, or plantain)
- Wound-healing ointment for grazes and minor injuries
If your baby needs special medications regularly or at certain intervals, you should always keep an adequate supply on hand. Again, ask your pediatrician which specific medications they recommend.
Check expiration dates regularly
It’s sensible to review all medicines and supplies twice a year to ensure they’re still within date. When opening a medication, note the opening date on the package right away.
Where to dispose of expired medicines
By law, old medicines may be disposed of in household trash, but never down the toilet or sink, as that burdens our precious water cycle. Some pharmacies voluntarily accept returns of old medicines, but they are not obliged to. Some cities and municipalities also offer disposal options.
When to see a doctor?
Many parents are unsure about this. As a rule of thumb: if you have a bad feeling, it’s better to visit the pediatrician once too often than too rarely. Don’t hesitate—you’re not “bothering” anyone.
Call emergency services (112) immediately for:
- Severe symptoms such as high fever, pain, or difficulty breathing
- Persistent diarrhea and vomiting
- Pale/ashen skin color
- Lethargy
- Insect stings in the mouth and throat area or the eye
- Burns and injuries
- Serious underlying conditions
- Unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Stiff neck and severe headache (suspected meningitis)
- When the baby drinks less than usual
- When the child has swallowed household chemicals, poisonous plants, or an adult’s medication by accident. Call the poison control center immediately and follow their instructions.
Very important: stay calm!
Emergency phone numbers
- Emergency services: 112
Works from landlines and mobile phones. Try to stay calm on the phone and answer the following:Where did it happen? (address)What happened?Who is affected?What injuries does the child have?Wait for further questions—don’t hang up immediately!
- Regional poison control center
- Your pediatrician
- Children’s hospital near you
- Out-of-hours medical service for adults or children near you: 116117.de – Find urgent care practices
If your pediatric practice is closed, procedures vary by location. Some cities have a pediatric on-call service where practices rotate weekends and holidays. Or the nearest hospital has a pediatric emergency department (there will always be a general ER), which is then the right place to go. It’s best to ask your pediatrician during your first visits how it’s organized in your area.
Infections train the immune system
Of course, we hope you won’t need the baby medicine cabinet often. And if you do, that you can quickly relieve symptoms yourself and avoid serious issues requiring a doctor or hospital visit. Always remember: every infection your baby gets through strengthens their immune system for the future!
