As the due date draws closer and you have all the baby equipment, you will certainly also be thinking about the baby's medicine cabinet. There are a few important aids that can effectively support you and your baby with minor aches and pains and the first infections.
For babies with their small and sensitive organisms, it is advisable to start with herbal and gentle remedies. However, please always ask your midwife or pediatrician what is best for your baby.
Why is a home medicine cabinet important?
In the first few weeks, digestion is still unfamiliar to many newborns, and they often suffer from flatulence and other digestive problems. Effective recommendations include caraway oil and wind ointment for rubbing and massaging the tummy. Caraway suppositories can also help a lot. If the sensitive areas on the bottom are sore, high-dose zinc ointments and plenty of diaper-free time and fresh air can help. A piece of sheep's wool fleece with a high lanolin content helps naturally: the lanolin is absorbed into the skin and relieves soreness and pain. And if the baby's nose is running and the first cold is coming on, then marjoram butter can help. Your pharmacist will be happy to mix this fresh for you. A small dab of it under the nose - and breathing and sucking will be easier again. The tried and tested cold ointment for rubbing on the chest for coughs and colds also relaxes and soothes with rosemary and lavender. You should only use a decongestant nasal spray in very acute cases and after consulting your doctor so that the sensitive mucous membranes are not attacked — here too, please only use the baby version.
For feverish infections, cold compresses on the calf (calf wraps) or fever suppositories help. You should also have a thermometer in the house. These are available as contactless, ear thermometers or with a flexible tip so that a gentle temperature measurement is possible. If your baby is teething, a teething oil with calming chamomile, soothing lavender and pain-relieving clove also helps.
Our Top 10 for the Baby Medicine Cabinet
- caraway oil
- Caraway suppositories, e.g. Carum Carvi comp. Infant suppositories
- wind ointment
- zinc ointment, e.g. Multilind
- marjoram butter
- nasal spray, e.g. Otriven Baby
- cold ointment, e.g. WICK Baby Balm
- fever suppositories
- thermometer with flexible tip
- Teething oil, e.g. from medesign
Always remember that your closeness and warmth can also help your baby to cope with pain. Breastfeeding or cuddling with you works wonders. Lots of sleep and fresh air while walking have a healing effect that you can supplement with your medicine cabinet. You can also find more tips for young parents on our blog!
