by Les Scammell

Created on: December 27, 2007   Last Updated: November 05, 2011

A first aid kit for babies should be a tw- part kit. The first part is a general purpose kit. You can put one of these together for the car, have another in the bathroom and a third in the kitchen or close handy in the child's playroom (always up out of reach).

The general purpose kit is just that. It contains the usual assortment of band aids, bandages, cotton wool balls and swabs, alcohol swabs, tweezers, small scissors and an assortment of safety pins and bandage hooks.

Your second first aid kit needs to be designed for baby, specifically. It can be a plastic container or a small bag. This should travel everywhere baby goes; in the car, in the home, or when out walking. What you are looking for is something that is easy to pick up and take with you, not a full blown pharmacy.

The contents of this kit needs to include baby specific items such as insect repellent, sunscreen, baby lotion, spare nappies (diapers), nappy cream, calamine lotion, emergency supply of medication (if your baby has prescribed medications) and a small quantity of pain relief medication that you use. For liquid medications you will also need a dispenser. It is also an good idea to keep a small lightweight sheet or bunny rug in the kit as well.

You should check the contents of this kit at regular intervals. It is a good idea to check the kit before going out and again on the return home. Check use by dates on medications, check that baby has not grown out of the nappy (diaper) sizes that you use and check that you have adequate supplies of everything.

The key to a good first aid kit is to keep it simple. Babies do not need a lot of the items that adults would use, for example, slings. The kit need not be expensive either. Keep it simple and let commonsense rule.

Learn more about this author, Les Scammell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.