🩹 Baby first aid kit checklist

None of this replaces a doctor. It buys safe time between something happening and getting seen, and covers which fever or rash genuinely can't wait.

19 items

1. Infant digital thermometerA normal baby temperature runs higher than an adult's — check the range before you need it.
2. When a temperature needs a doctor, written on the boxUnder three months, any fever needs same-day medical advice. Between three and six months, 39°C or above does too — call your GP or 111.
3. Infant paracetamol or ibuprofen, kept in stockFollow the packet or a pharmacist for the dose by weight and age — never a guess, and never an adult's medicine in a smaller amount.
4. Saline nasal drops
5. Nasal aspirator
6. Plasters, round ones for tiny fingers
7. Non-adherent dressings and a bandage
8. Round-ended scissors
9. Tweezers, for a splinter or a tick
10. Cooled boiled water for cleaning a graze
11. Teething gel or a cold teether
12. Cream for nappy rash and a mild skin cream
13. Calamine or aftersun, for a sting or too much time in the sun
14. Torch, for checking a rash under pressurePress a glass against it — a rash that doesn't fade under the glass needs urgent medical attention, day or night.
15. Disposable gloves
16. GP, health visitor and out-of-hours or 111 number, written on the boxNot just saved in a phone that might be the one thing not to hand at 2am.
17. A note of allergies and any regular medication
18. Emergency changing kit — nappy, wipes, a spare outfitFor the dash to A&E that doesn't wait for a bag to be packed properly.
19. Knowing the choking technique before you need itA face-to-face baby first aid course teaches this properly in an hour — reading about it isn't the same as having practised it.