Essential first aid kit for kids

When you’re pregnant, you spend a lot of time focusing on all the ’stuff’ you’ll need for the baby.  From practical things like cots and prams to more frivolous items like designer nursery furniture and piles upon piles of pristine white baby clothes, that nesting instinct has a lot to answer for when it comes to pre-baby shopping sprees!  But how many of us remembered to put together a first aid kit prior to the arrival of our little ones?  And hands up those who only realised they didn’t own a thermometer the first time their child developed a fever?

A simple first aid kit is a must for all parents, from nervous newbies to experienced old hands; and you don’t need to fork out vast amounts of cash on a fancy box packed with so-called ‘essentials’.  You can use a large lunchbox in the kitchen or a drawer in the bathroom or nursery to keep your kit together, ready for a middle-of-the-night illness or an outdoor tumble – just make sure it’s got these basic items inside!

1.  Thermometer

There’s a reason why medical staff use digital, in-ear thermometers – they are faster and more accurate than any other kind.  However some parents still prefer under-arm thermometers as they are less invasive for a sick child whilst still being reasonably accurate, whilst others swear by the old faithful forehead strip – lacking somewhat in accuracy but reliable enough to let you know whether your child’s fever is anything to be worried about, and gentle enough to use even while they are asleep.  I recently reviewed the Brother Max 3-in-1 Thermometer
and thought it had some great features, while we also have a Braun in-ear thermometer that has fewer features but in my opinion is also an excellent choice.  Whatever you go for, make sure your thermometer always has batteries and probe covers if it needs them, and is kept in the same place so you can grab it at short notice.

2.  Paracetamol/Ibuprofen suspension

Few parents survive past their baby’s first vaccinations without purchasing a bottle of infant paracetamol and you should always keep some in the house for tackling fever, teething pain, sore throat and general illness!  Some parents find that a high fever responds better to ibuprofen-based products such as Nurofen or Calprofen and these have the added benefit of reducing inflammation so are particularly useful for teething and throat infections.  If your child has a history of asthma you should consult your doctor before giving him or her ibuprofen.  If your child has a temperature, dress him or her lightly, administer plenty of fluids and be aware of the symptoms of meningitis.

3.  Antihistamine syrup

An oral antihistamine syrup suitable for babies and children is another must-have.  Most are suitable from the age of one and can provide relief from bites and stings as well as allergic reactions – everything from hayfever to pet allergies and prickly heat – and even the itchy rash of chickenpox.  Some antihistamine products may cause drowsiness so always read the instructions carefully and if in doubt seek advice from your GP or pharmacist.

4.  Arnica cream

Once your little one starts to walk life is all about preventing accidents – but they happen even to the children of the most vigilant parents!  Arnica is brilliant for soothing bruised skin and helps those awful purple bumps to fade more quickly.  It also has the added benefit of being something you can actively do to ‘make it better’ when kisses just won’t suffice!

5.  Cold pack

It’s a good idea to keep a cold pack in the fridge or freezer for lumps and bumps, sprains and strains and you can get these in some pretty cool designs.  The gel filled ones stay quite soft even when chilled which makes them more comfortable for use on bumped heads and cut knees.  You can also use a cool pack on your child’s forehead to help bring down a fever.

6.  Saline, gauze pads and antiseptic cream

Cut knees, hands and elbows are a common feature of early childhood and will generally heal up fine provided the wound is well cleaned to clear out any debris that could harbour bacteria.  A bottle of saline solution with a squirty nozzle is ideal for flushing out dirt and small stones etc.  Pat dry with a non-fleecing cotton gauze pad and apply a dab of antiseptic cream to fight infection before covering the wound if required.  Sterile saline can also be used to flush foreign bodies such as sand particles out of the eye, and a gauze pad soaked in cold water can be applied to a minor burn to reduce pain.

7.  Plasters/surgical tape

Most kids with grazed knees love nothing more than a plaster to make it all better and there’s no shortage of novelty ones available – in fact you might find that even the most miniscule of injuries brings forth a request for a plaster if the cartoon variety are around!  Most of the time a plaster’s healing abilities are more psychological than anything else, but for cuts that are oozing or bleeding they do offer some protection for clothing as well as keeping germs out.  Surgical tape is great because it’s less adhesive so doesn’t sting when you peel it off and tends not to leave a sticky mark behind – use it to stick a small piece of gauze over a graze for a breathable, short term dressing.

8.  Sun cream

Might not sound like a ‘first aid’ item but the effects of sunburn on delicate young skin are an injury just like any other – in severe cases sunburn can cause scarring and can even be life-threatening.  In this case prevention is always better than cure and there’s no excuse for not smothering your children in a layer of high SPF sun lotion (at least factor 30) before letting them out to play on summer days – two tablespoons is roughly the right amount for a toddler.  Reapply regularly, especially after swimming.  Remember that sunburn can occur even in cloudy conditions in high summer, and sunstroke can happen even if your child doesn’t get burnt so make sure they wear wide-brimmed hats, have regular breaks in the shade and keeping drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

9.  Tweezers

Kids playing outdoors are prone to picking up splinters in their hands and even feet, and a pair of decent tweezers makes removing them quick and painless.  You can also use the flat edge of the tweezers to remove a bee stinger – be sure to scrape along the skin rather than pinching the stinger between the points of the tweezers, as this can force more venom into the skin.

10. Emergency phone numbers

If your child has a serious accident or becomes very ill at home the last thing you need is to waste time rushing around trying to find contact phone numbers.  Make up a small card including the important numbers you may need – for example, your local GP out-of-hours service, your normal doctor’s surgery, your partner’s work phone number in case you need to reach them and the number of a relative or friend who could step in to care for other children if you were called away unexpectedly.  Laminate the card if possible and either store it in your first aid kit or place it somewhere safe, close to the phone.  Make sure that older children or child carers are aware of its whereabouts in case an emergency occurs when you’re not at home.