Baby First Aid Kit — 8 Medicines and Essentials Every Parent Should Keep at Home

Dr. Sandip Gupta

Many parents ask which medicines they should always keep at home so they can give some relief to the child before reaching a doctor, since problems like fever, falls, injuries or sudden cold-cough can happen anytime. This video lists what to keep at home — with two ground rules stated upfront: always confirm the dose with your doctor before using any of these, and always check the expiry date before using a medicine that has been stored for a while; and keep all medicines locked and out of children's reach. 1. Paracetamol – the number one fever medicine worldwide (Calpol, Crocin, Dolo etc.). Comes as a drop (100 mg/ml), and syrups of two strengths — 120 mg/5ml and 250 mg/5ml — so know which preparation you have. Dose: 10–15 mg/kg per dose, every 6–8 hours. Used when armpit temperature is above 99°F, and also for mild pain. If there's no relief after paracetamol, or you need to repeat it before 6 hours are up, consult your pediatrician. A useful trick: if your child's current weight is about the same as at their last vaccination visit, you can use the same paracetamol dose the doctor prescribed then for post-vaccination fever. (A separate detailed video on fever care and sponging is referenced.) 2. Nasoclear (saline nasal) drops – used when a small child's nose is blocked, causing breathing difficulty, refusal to feed, or irritability. Give 1–2 drops in each nostril, waiting at least 5 minutes between nostrils. (Separate video on how to clean the nose referenced.) 3. ORS powder – important for rehydrating a child during diarrhoea or vomiting, and also useful during fever to keep the child hydrated with a little energy. Comes in a small sachet (4.4–4.5 g, dissolved in 200 ml water) and a large sachet (22 g, dissolved in 1 litre water). Always use clean, boiled water to prepare it, and use the prepared solution within 24 hours, discarding any leftover after that. (Age-wise ORS dose shown on screen; separate detailed ORS video referenced.) 4. Ibuprofen syrup (brand name Ibugesic) – used for high fever that doesn't come down easily with paracetamol/Calpol, or for significant pain or swelling. Only use this after contacting your pediatrician, since there are several things to understand before using it — get the correct dose from your doctor. 5. Colic drops (Colicaid or Gastrica) – contain simethicone and fennel seed oil, important especially for babies under 1 year with colic pain from cramping or gas. General dosing: children under 6 months, 5–10 drops, 3–4 times a day; children 6–12 months, 10–20 drops. For children above 1 year with cramping stomach pain, cyclopam medicine can be used. If pain is significant, see a doctor, and confirm dosing with your pediatrician before use. 6. Ondem or Emeset syrup (ondansetron) – used for sudden vomiting, whether from food poisoning, indigestion, or something the child ate. Effective for vomiting; also available as a mouth-dissolving tablet/strip, which can be easier to use than syrup since a vomiting child may not keep syrup down — use only on your pediatrician's recommendation. 7. Diaper rash cream – for the sudden red rash that can appear in the potty area, causing irritation and crying, sometimes even at night. The doctor mentions two he uses often in his practice — a "B4 Nappy" diaper rash cream and a Sebamed diaper rash cream — clarifying this is not a promotion, just what he generally recommends when parents ask. If there's no improvement within three to five days of using it, see your pediatrician, since it could be a fungal infection needing proper diagnosis. 8. Vitamin D3 drops (Ultra D3, Justy Vitamin D3, etc.) – generally 400 international units per 1 ml, given daily from birth to 1 year, important for bone and brain development. (Separate detailed video on vitamin D3 referenced.) First aid box essentials, beyond medicines: A digital thermometer (around ₹200–300 for a good one, one year warranty) — check in the armpit; above 99°F is fever. Avoid mercury thermometers (glass breakage injury risk, mercury fume risk) and infrared thermometers (not accurate enough). Band-aids for minor cuts and scrapes, and Neosporin antibiotic cream to prevent infection on cuts. Betadine solution for washing wounds, and cotton gauze. Clean medicine caps or droppers for giving liquid medicine accurately. Relevant for: parents wanting to build a baby/child first aid kit at home; parents asking which paracetamol strength and dose to use; parents asking about saline nasal drops for a blocked nose; parents wanting to know how to prepare and store ORS at home; parents asking when ibuprofen syrup is used instead of paracetamol; parents dealing with baby colic and gas pain; parents whose child suddenly vomits and need an anti-emetic; parents keeping a diaper rash cream on hand; parents asking about daily vitamin D3 drops; and parents choosing between digital, mercury and infrared thermometers. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Product mentions reflect the doctor's own clinical preference and are not endorsements. Every child is different — please confirm the exact dose for every medicine mentioned with your pediatrician before use, always check expiry dates, and keep all medicines locked and out of children's reach.