We never want to think of our little ones to be unwell but it’s always a good idea to be prepared as the last thing you’d want to do in the middle of the night is to go out to buy paracetamol or teething granules when your baby is crying in your arms – especially if you are on your own or you have other children in the house.

Use a box that’s tall enough to stand bottles and lockable to keep out of reach of children.  Here’s a few must have basics for your medicines box:

• Thermometer – the ear thermometer is worth the investment. It’s accurate and simple to use without bothering your baby.
• Paracetamol liquid – for fevers and pain.  Paracetamol is suitable from 2 months of age - follow the manufacturer’s directions for the correct dose.  Different brands taste different so if your baby doesn’t like one brand – try another
• Ibuprofen liquid – for fevers, pains and cold symptoms with anti-inflammatory properties. Ibuprofen is suitable for babies from 3 months of age. Ibuprofen works in up to 30 minutes and lasts for up to 8 hours.  Don’t give ibuprofen if your baby/child has chicken pox.  
• Teething granules/teething gel – comfort your little one’s sore gums with some teething gel or granules.
• Nappy rash cream – use nappy cream to prevent sore bottoms or help it heal faster
• Medicine oral syringes – these syringes help you to administer medicines accurately and conveniently to your baby.  It helps reduce mess and the stress.
• Antihistamine – chlorphenamine is an antihistamine that can be bought in pharmacies for children over 1 year old for allergic symptoms such as rash, itching, insect bites, food allergies.  It can cause sleepiness so keep an eye on them afterwards.  Cetirizine is another antihistamine that can be used in for allergic symptoms but it’s non-sedating and only available to buy for children over 2 years of age.
• Saline nose drops and a bulb nose aspirator – will work wonders to clear little one’s nose when it’s full of snot.  Wet any dried up mucous with saline drops and remove it with the nose aspirator.
• Hydrocortisone cream - for bites and rashes.  Apply a thin layer to reduce itching and swelling.
• Tweezers for removing splinters
• Medical grade alcohol for cleaning tweezers
• Rehydration sachets for replacing electrolytes after diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Colic medicine such as Infacol or Gripe water
• A small selection of bandages will complete your medicines kit
• Gauze pads (5x5 and 10x10 cm)
• Gauze bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Plasters
• Cotton wool balls
• Sharp scissors

Hopefully you'll never need to use most of the above but at least you have peace of mind knowing you'll have the essentials if you do.