There are a few things babies under six months of age should not have, which can make it a little stressful when trying to build a medicine cabinet that is both safe and effective for those early germs. Below, we'll break down some safe essentials and some ones to skip.
Essentials:
Thermometer
Infant acetaminophen
Nasal aspirator
Saline nasal drops
Baby nail clippers
Gauze and adhesive tape
Diaper cream / multipurpose ointment
Clotrimazole antifungal cream (yeast diaper rash)
Baby-safe insect repellent (2 months+)
Skip:
Ibuprofen - not safe until after 6 months old
Mentholated chest rubs - not safe under the age of 2
Neosporin - not advised under the age of 2
Sunscreen - not safe until 6 months+
Amber necklace - these can pose a strangulation risk
Cough syrup - many over-the-counter cough syrups are generally not recommended for babies and young children and come with limited evidence of effectiveness. Pediatricians generally advise giving a teaspoon of honey to children 12 months and older when struggling with a cough rather than using cough syrups.
Pedialyte - If your baby gets a stomach virus, breastfeeding or formula feeding will be your best means of keeping them hydrated. Pedialyte is not recommended under the age of 1 unless advised by your pediatrician.
Benadryl - Benadryl and other old-generation antihistamines are not considered safe for babies or young children. If you're nervous about allergic reactions when introducing solid foods, talk to your pediatrician about what to have on hand.
Also, while this won't fit in your actual medicine cabinet, pediatricians recommend a cool-mist humidifier as worth having in your baby's sleep space from the start. This can make breathing easier, especially when dealing with a respiratory virus.