What are the meds that I need for baby?

[ebhmommy]

I would like to have the most often needed meds on hand for when the baby comes so that way I dont have to run out and get something at the last minute, especially since we only have one car and there are going to be days I wont be able to leave the house. For you already moms what were the most frequently used meds for your baby? or you for that matter?

[scribblerpnp]

Well,

Newborns are not able to take that many medications safely. You NEVER want to give a child under 2 mos of age Tylenol. Also, no Motrin or Benedryl until they are at least 6 mos (also always ask your health care provider before giving any of these meds the first time). No over the counter cold or allergy meds until 2 years of age. Do not buy an antidiarrheal either.

But, things you will find handy to have are:

Saline nose spray (for the congestion or first cold)
A humidifier (see above)
Mylicon gas drops (for gas- can be helful, but not always)
Infant glycerin suppository (when the little one is constipated a 10PM, you will be glad to have these on hand!)
Pedialyte

Med wise, for a newborn, that is about all you could give that is safe and over the counter.

Good luck to you!

[ebhmommy]

oh thanks, I didnt realize that newborns couldnt take over the counter meds for babies, this is an issue I'll talk to about my doctor about.

[scribblerpnp]

Let me explain a little better.

Tylenol isn't given to less than 2 months, because if your newborn has a temp over 100.5, it can be a big deal, and your health care provider should know about it. It may mean the baby needs to be in the hospital.

Sometimes, after a male is circumsized in the hospital, he is given Tylenol for pain, but this shouldn't extend after discharge home. A newborn with a fever is not something to monkey around with. Actually, if they are less than 8 weeks and with a fever, I would call your provider ASAP.

Also, be aware that the dosing of Infants Tylenol and Children's Tylenol is VERY different. Same for Motrin.

Right now, you would be hard pressed to find anything over the counter meds for babies. Many products may have "Baby" or "Infant" in the title, but if you read the instructions, it will usually say, "Call your doctor for dosing under two years of age." Or "Not recommended for children under two years of age."

Recently, the FDA removed cold meds for 2 years and under from the market in the US for 3 main reasons:

1. Parents were giving incorrect doses or using more than 2 products simultaneously and double dosing their kids

2. There is no indication that these meds actually WORK in this population.

3. There really isn't any good research by the FDA so far as dosing recommendations for these age groups. A lot of the dosing was extrapolated from recommendations for the older age groups.

If your baby has allergies or a cold, there are some prescription-level medications that can be used, but for the most part the baby needs to be 6 mos. And now that Zyrtec is over the counter, you can use that down to 6 mos. But I wouldn't necessarily buy it just to have on hand.

The things I mentioned in my first post I would consider necessary and are things I will definately have on hand when my little one gets here!

[skipnjif]

It sounds like you've pretty much covered the baby stuff. The only thing I would add is a bulb syringe to clean the baby's nose (they gave me one to take home from the hospital with both of my little ones, but you never know...)

As far as you're concerned: I recommend Tylenol (if you're nursing it's about all you can take) or Motrin if you're not nursing. Also, witch hazel or Tucks pads were very useful for soothing the "discomfort" from any tearing/cutting that might be done, some thick maxi pads and lots of thin ones (you don't have LOTS of bleeding for very long after delivery and those bulky pads can feel pretty cumbersome), and lanolin ointment and plenty of nursing pads if you're breastfeeding.

Guess those aren't all "meds" but they're good to think about while you're at the pharmacy.