Guest post by Dr. Alexis Banducci
As a parent, one of your top priorities is ensuring your child’s health and well-being. A well-stocked medicine cabinet can be a lifesaver during those inevitable moments when your little one isn’t feeling their best. From common ailments to unexpected accidents, having the right supplies on hand can make all the difference while you are waiting to get in with your doctor. In this blog post, we’ll explore some children’s medicine cabinet essential items every parent should have on hand, ensuring you’re prepared for anything that comes your way. Inevitably, if something comes along, it’ll be when the doctor’s office is closed, so let’s dive into the must-haves that will keep your little ones healthy and happy before that time arrives!
Herbs & Supplements:
- Calendula salve or cream: Great for rashes, eczema, or itchy skin.
- Hyland Oral Pain tablets or Hyland’s Camilia ampoules: Great to use for teething pain during the day or at night.
- Belladonna 30c: Great for sudden high fever. Even for infants you can place a few pellets in the side of their cheeks. For kids, 3 pellets under the tongue.
- Garlic mullein ear oil: A great preventative for ear infections.
- Magnesium in some form: Great for older kiddos to support sleep, also helpful with constipation.
- Elderberry syrup**: Elderberry contains a high amount of anthocyanins, and has been shown to have prebiotic, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects. THis is easily consumed by kids, and good for them!
- Teas: Marshmallow root, chamomile, lemon balm, and catnip. Teas are wonderful options for kids/babies of all ages. Can be frozen into popsicles for sore throats or helping to maintain hydration. Dosing is based on age. These are my top four herbs to have on hand and cover tummy aches, colds/viruses and sleep (and more!).
- Tummy/colic tincture: We have a tincture formula in our office that is a combo of fennel, catnip, chamomile and lemon balm.
- Probiotics: There’s no need to continuously dose if there are no concerns, but great for stomach viruses, immune support and digestive concerns.
- Honey**: Only safe for over age 1, but very effective for soothing coughs. Use honey in herbal teas for added benefit!
Over-the-Counter Medicines:
- Ibuprofen/Tylenol: Be sure to check dose and form. Dosing based on weight is ideal.
- Zyrtec: Recommended over Benadryl for allergic reactions, just as effective but with less side effects.
Other Items:
- Wool socks: Need these for the Magic Warming socks treatment, which is great for fevers or congestion.
- Nasal saline (drops, spray, rinse) and suction (bulb or aspirator): Used for allergies, colds, chronic coughs to break up congestion. Suction can be done with a bulb, NoseFrida, or aspirator machine.
- Humidifier: For any colds, a humidifier will help loosen up congestion and can soothe nighttime coughing.
*There is some variation in forms or dosing of everything listed based on age. Please confirm with your medical provider before initiating treatment.
**Be careful of medicines made with honey for babies under 1 year old.