Diaper Bag First Aid
Posted at 7:13 am on February 22, 2010 by Farrah
Today’s guest post is by Cindy McCarthy from OnTheGoChicago.com. Thank you Cindy for this great information that we all need to know. Check out Cindy’s site for endless info on fun things to do with your kiddos in the city.
When my daughter first started walking, I suddenly realized that I needed to trade out the binkies and bottles in my diaper bag for bandages and Neosporin. Although there are some prepackaged kits available, all of the ones I found online or in stores were either too bulky, not made for children or not inclusive enough.
After talking to some fellow moms and researching the topic extensively online, I compiled the following list of must haves to tend to your little one’s boo boos on the go.
1. Emergency Information – On a piece of paper or index card write down:
* Children’s names and date of birth
* Your phone number
* Spouse’s phone number
* Pediatrician’s name and number
* Poison Control (The American Association of Poison Control Centers’ national emergency hotline: (800) 222-1222.)
* Any allergies
* The proper doses for the medications included in your kit.
2. First Aid
* (5) 3/4 “ X 3” self adhesive bandages (average self stick bandages)
* (2) 3” knee & elbow bandages
* Sting/pain relief spray or pads (Benadryl makes one and there is a CVS brand that is much less expensive) The CVS brand relieves the itching and pain from minor cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes (e.g. poison ivy) and insect bites.
* (4) 2”X2” gauze pads
* (4) Antiseptic wipes
* Antibiotic ointment – Neosporin makes a convenient spray on version (Neo To Go). I have also found a CVS generic version. Target’s regular price on the Neo To Go was less than the CVS brand.
* Tweezers (splinters)
3. Over the Counter Medicines –
* Fever reducer – Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
* Upset stomach medication – Kids Tums or Little Tummies (I put 5 in a small baggie to save space)
* Anti-allergy – Benadryl for allergic reactions. Make sure you buy one made for kids and review the proper dosage. Benadryl makes these convenient single shots for kids. I would never have thought to bring this, but I have a friend who found out on vacation that her child had a nut allergy. Luckily she had Benadryl with her.
* Stickers and Lollipop – I added a few stickers and a lollipop to my kit. My little patient sometimes needs a distraction after getting a skinned knee!
I have a kit in my diaper bag, one in my husband’s diaper bag and one in my stroller. I set a reminder in my calendar to check all of my first aid kits once a year to make sure they are stocked and none of the contents have expired.
If you haven’t already completed an infant/child CPR class, click here for a list of Red Cross CPR classes in Chicagoland. It is a good idea to have your caregiver CPR certified too.
About the author – In addition to being a mother of two girls (Grace 2 and Clare 1), Cindy McCarthy is the author of www.onthegochicago.com, a blog that highlights family friendly restaurants, activities, classes and events in the Chicago area. You can also follow Cindy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/onthegochicago.
Leave a Reply