Your little one always deserves the best!
And while there are tons of great options and medical products out there, nothing beats going back to basics with natural ingredients and remedies for your baby’s everyday needs.
Check out our checklist below to find out what natural products you need to stock in your baby’s medicine cabinet so you’re prepared for most situations!
Natural Medicine Cabinet Checklist
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you’re expecting. But you can overcome this if you know you’re prepared for most situations, including emergencies.
You see, infants are susceptible to getting sick… A LOT.
Most times, it’s not something to worry about too much.
For these instances, you just need to keep a cool head, not panic, and have everything you need ready inside your trusty baby medical supplies kit!
1. Baby Grooming and Cleaning
Infants need grooming and cleaning, just like us.
Some items need to be made specifically for them to be safe. Make sure you have the following natural products with you.
Baby Nail Files and Nail Clippers
If cutting a pet’s nails is terrifying, imagine what it’s like when it’s your little one!
This can be a traumatic experience for both the child and his or her newborn parents if it goes badly.
In fact, many parents will try to just use mittens as long as possible before they finally admit to themselves it’s time to deal with that hand.
But have no fear!
With the right method and baby care products, you and your little one will have a good time. So, make sure you have the following tools in your natural medicine cabinet.
Nail Clippers
You’d think that baby nail clippers are just tiny versions of what you use for your nails.
However, products have come a looong way from when we were kids.
For example, the First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper has an ergonomic shape and even includes a magnifying glass.
You can see the baby’s tiny fingers WITHOUT straining or having a hard time keeping them in place.
Nail File
Whether your baby’s hand is freshly trimmed or not, you need to have a nail file on hand in your cabinet.
This little guy lets you keep the baby’s nails from getting too sharp so you can prevent them from scratching their face.
Find nail files that are made from tempered glass, are non-porous, and won’t absorb most bacteria or germs. They’re also SOFTER than normal nail files we’d use, so they’re much safer for your little one.
Nail Scissors
You may belong to the group of parents who prefer to use nail scissors instead of clippers.
Most who like scissors swear that their slight curve makes it easier to cut baby’s nails. Plus, they’re said to be safer and more baby-friendly, so you’re LESS LIKELY to cut the baby’s dry skin.
Baby Cotton Swabs
No family can live without a set of cotton swabs.
And since children have smaller ears and ear canals, they naturally need a smaller cotton swab.
The Baby-safe cotton swab should be sued to only clean the OUTER area of your baby’s ears.
You can also use a thin washcloth, but we find that a cotton swab can get those tight corners more easily.
Your medicine cabinet should have safety swabs from a reliable company. If you’re looking for an organic baby brand, try Sky Organics.
These are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, natural alternative that are excellent for infants with sensitive skin and ears!
2. Medicines
You must do your research before buying the medicine you’ll be administering to your infant.
Below, you’ll find advice some books won’t tell you!
Probiotics
These are great multivitamins for both babies and adults.
A newborn body is completely sterile. They need to build up more good bacteria in their system to make them MORE RESISTANT to illnesses.
Probiotics include these good bacteria that will have a hand in preventing infections and illnesses in the future.
Make sure to check the ingredients and look for multi-strain probiotics that have high-quality strains, like B infantis, B lactis, L rhamnosus GG, and L rhamnosus HN001.
To be safe, make sure you consult with your pediatrician, too.
Tylenol/Acetaminophen
Always check the ingredient list. If something doesn’t seem right, read and ask for recommendations on natural alternatives you can try out.
For Tylenol, AVOID ANYTHING that has propylene glycol as it can be carcinogenic.
Companies should work on developing better medicines without any of the issues the content of currently available ones has.
Before administering medicine, you can try a warm bathtime and dress your baby in cool clothing to let heat escape. Then, give him or her tons of fluids.
For those who are 9 months or older, you can try giving chicken or vegetable broth with plenty of healthy ingredients.
Motrin/Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is only good for infants who are above 6 months old.
They act as both a pain receiver and fever reducer and can easily be administered through a syringe, so they’re good to have on hand.
We recommend you only get something from a dye-free brand.
Antihistamine
Allergies are no joke.
Severe reactions can even lead to breathing issues. That’s why if your baby has an allergic reaction, seek help immediately!
You wouldn’t want an allergic reaction and be unprepared for it, which is why it’s essential to have antihistamine medicine on hand (yes, even in your baby bag)!
Talk to your pediatrician about what you can use and the right dosage for your baby so that in case an emergency happens, you’re prepared.
Note that they’re not advisable for those under 6 months since they help a baby sleep deeper.
We recommend dye-free Benadryl for kids. Like any other antihistamine, it can also help your baby sleep when taken in the right dose.
3. Nose and Colds Baby Care Products
Mom must deal with babies’ colds, the flu, and any kind of congestion immediately.
This can make your little one extremely uncomfortable and angry, just like how you feel when you can’t comfortably breathe.
Nasal Aspirator
A nasal aspirator is one of the must-haves in your cabinet, and all parents should know how to use nasal aspirators the RIGHT way.
Not only does a nasal aspirator relieve a clogged nose, but also helps clean up any soft or hard boogers that could be stuck in there while taking care not to hurt your child.
Snot-sucking is the ultimate gesture for parents to show their love! Doing it with a good nasal aspirator will easily unclog your baby’s nasal passages.
These have disposable filters that prevent the snotsucker from getting any mucus or bacteria in it.
They’re also gentle enough to care for the baby’s sensitive nostrils. Plus, you can clean them up in the dishwasher after a tiring day of taking care of your sick babies!
Saline Nasal Spray
A saline nasal solution is another thing you need to have on hand for emergencies or even just for daily cleaning. One small drop can a LIFE SAVER for loosening or softening boogers.
We recommend the Boogie Mist Natural Saline Nasal Saline Spray. How natural is it, you ask?
It’s just made of 2 ingredients: purified water and sodium chloride.
If you want a DIY version for your family to ensure there are 0 preservatives, artificial flavors, or harsh chemicals:
- Mix 12 oz. of warm purified water with 1/8 tsp. pf sea salt
- Make sure the salt is fully melted.
- Apply some on the nostril with a cotton swab!
4. Gripe Water
Gripe water is another thing you need on hand, especially for sick babies who typically experience gas, colic, upset stomach, and other tummy troubles.
We recommend the Wellements’ Organic Gripe Water for Tummy.
Their water is completely made of natural and organic baby ingredients, is GMO-free, has no dairy or soy, and doesn’t use parabens, alcohol, or any preservative.
The taste is also subtle enough that babies won’t mind the taste. Make sure to keep this refrigerated once you’ve opened it.
You can also try asking your doctor if your baby can try some organic chamomile tea if they have a gassy or upset tummy.
5. Baby Thermometer
Babies are prone to getting sick, and when they do you need a way of measuring their temperature as easily and accurately as possible.
Now you have 3 options for this: rectal, forehead, or sublingual thermometers.
- Rectal thermometers are best because they can read your baby’s internal body temperature more accurately than others. To prevent you from hurting your little one because you put it in too far, look for a rectal thermometer that has a short probe.
- If you’re uncomfortable with using that, a regular thermometer in your baby’s armpit can do the trick. Just make sure to add 1 degree to this reading because it will record your baby’s external temperature.
- If you want a thermometer that can easily give you an estimate of your children’s temperature, a forehead thermometer is a good alternative. Just note that they’re not very accurate. So if you suspect a fever, we recommend going with the others we mentioned here.
PRO TIP: Have 2 to 3 thermometers handy. Keep 1 in your medicine cabinet, another in your baby bag, and a spare in case they break or get lost. You never know when you might need this.
6. Natural Multipurpose Ointment
When it comes to ointments for your baby’s hand and body, CHECK THE INGREDIENTS list and look for natural options that are paraben-free and don’t contain petrochemicals to avoid contamination issues.
Some household names like petroleum jelly, mentholated rubs, and even vaporized menthol-like Vick’s Vapopads aren’t always safe for babies.
So look for a brand like Burt’s Bees Baby’s Natural Multipurpose Ointment. For irritated skin, cuts, and scratches, try a small amount of healing balm after disinfecting the wound of germs.
For baby rash ointments, get a diaper rash cream with soothing ingredients like aloe, zinc oxide, and calendula.
You check out our guide to applying diaper rash cream to help you out.
7. Medicine Dispensers
Before anything, you need to know that many people recommend you use the medicine dropper that comes with what you purchased.
You see, while measurements are standardized as much as possible, there may be incremental differences from one dispenser to another.
To ensure you subscribe to the EXACT DOSAGE the pharmaceutical company-prescribed for your baby, it’s best to use the dropper they give you.
That’s why some vitamins for babies, like vitamin D drops, come with their own dropper.
However, it’s always handy to have your dispenser in case you accidentally lose it or your baby prefers other baby products.
Eye Dropper
Eye droppers are always fantastic to have on hand and are considered a must-have in any parent’s arsenal.
Try EZY droppers that are made for easy application.
Just remember to STERILIZE everything before using these products on your baby. You can throw them in some boiling water to do this.
Pacifier Medicine Syringe
Let’s face it. You’re irritable when you’re sick, too.
So when your baby refuses to cooperate because they’re not feeling good, a traditional medicine dropper may not work.
We’ve been on the receiving end of crying, angry babies who refuse to have anything dropped into their mouth and swat at the dropper anytime it comes near them.
So what do you do then?
We looked through all the baby care products available and found the perfect one for this very situation.
Well, try using a pacifier medicine syringe.
As the name suggests, these come with a pacifier attached to them to give your baby an incentive to put it in their mouth.
Again, you can also throw this into boiling water to cleanse and sterilize it.
Our Picks
We love the Medi-Pals Children’s Ladybug Oral Medicine Pacifier Syringe.
This is BPA-free and made in the USA. It also features an adorable frog design to interest your baby and makes them WANT to put it in their mouth.
Plus, this syringe is designed with a diverter which helps DIRECT the medicine toward your baby’s cheek.
This means it’s less likely to choke them or go straight to their throat and taste buds, so they won’t gag and spit it out.
8. For the Nursery
Nursery Humidifier
Now for the nursery or baby room, you must have a humidifier. They’re great for when your baby isn’t feeling well.
If the air in the room is too dry, your baby can feel some discomfort.
Some react badly that it can even TRIGGER THEIR ALLERGIES. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and mimic some home remedies for decongestion if your baby has a cold or sore throat.
The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier comes in an adorable elephant design.
Here’s what you’ll love about it:
You can keep this on overnight because it doesn’t take up that much energy, doesn’t need a filter, and runs silently so your baby can recover their health in peace!
Air Purifier
If your little one is extra sensitive and/or has a lot of allergies that can easily be triggered by pollen or dust, an air purifier is one of the must-haves for you.
They’re also great for removing pet dander, viruses, and bacteria in the air that can get your baby sick.
When it comes to these kinds of products, look for reliable brands. Levoit is an example of such a company, as it specializes in these kinds of things.
We love their air purifier that can clean your air in as short as 12 minutes.
Trust us when we say that this can make a big impact on their comfort level!
Final Words
Motherhood is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging experiences anyone can have. In fact, many would argue it’s more difficult than being the CEO and founder of your own company!
If you’re expecting or are deciding whether this is for you, there are tons of books out there that you can refer to.
We hope this guide gave you a helping hand so you know what content you need to have in your baby cabinet and baby bag.
Now, you’ll be prepared for whatever your newborn may need and you can be relaxed and comfortable when spending time with them, knowing that you’re ready.
