Staples for your Medicine Cabinet

Vaseline petroleum jelly – good as a bland thick moisturizer and as a barrier type diaper ointment (when there isn’t much of an actual rash, just to put on the skin to protect from future rashes)

Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) – for fever or pain, contact your pediatrician for the appropriate dose

Ibuprofen, if your baby is older than 6 months of age (e.g. Motrin, Advil) – for fever or pain with inflammation, contact your pediatrician for the appropriate dose

Bacitracin ointment – first aid ointment to put on cuts and scrapes to prevent infection, better than triple antibiotic ointment because there is less of a chance of developing an allergy to it because it only has one ingredient

1% Hydrocortisone ointment – anti-itch ointment for bug bites and some other usually itchy rashes (ask your pediatrician for clarification regarding appropriate situations for use)

Diphenhydramine (i.e., Benadryl) – for allergic reactions

Saline nasal drops/spray – to loosen up thick or dried nasal secretions