A scraped knee, a night-time fever or an annoying insect bite: a child-friendly first-aid kit can provide first aid and soothe minor ailments. Parents often ask me what it should actually contain, especially for the youngest family members. For example, the whole family can use the same wound and healing ointment - but it's a completely different story when it comes to cough syrup.
In principle, medicines that are to be administered to children must also be authorised for them in terms of their active ingredients and dosage options. Sometimes the information "Suitable for children from XX months/years" is stated on the packaging or package leaflet. In case of doubt, however, the famous advertising slogan applies: "Ask your doctor or pharmacist".
The most important rule
Give your child never Medication intended for adults only! Also not in a reduced dose!
Some adults think that if they halve or even quarter the tablet and give their child a smaller dose, nothing can happen. Mistake! Even then, the child can develop massive side effects because the child's organism reacts differently to medicinal substances than an adult body.
Tip: Set up a "parent" and a "children's" side in your pharmacy cabinet at home. For a better overview, keep the medicines for adults on the left-hand side and everything for the little ones on the right. It would be even better if you kept the medicine cabinet for your child or children completely separate. Then nothing can get mixed up.
Durability: You should always keep ointments, tablets and the like in their original packaging. Including the package leaflet. This allows you to quickly and reliably recognise which preparation you have in your hand and read the package insert again if necessary. All medicines that are still sealed have an expiry date on the packaging. In addition, some medicines can only be used for a certain period of time once they have been opened. In this case, make a note of the date of first use on the packaging. This makes it easier to keep an eye on the shelf life.
The storage the medicine cabinet
Whether you store the medication in an extra cupboard on the wall, in a compartment at the top of the hall cupboard or in a portable box is ultimately irrelevant. In any case, the medicine cabinet must be out of reach of small children's hands! Ideally, it should be lockable. The place where you keep your medicine cabinet should not be too warm or too damp. This means that bathrooms and kitchens are generally ruled out as storage areas. Places near the heating or with direct sunlight are also not suitable for storing medicines.
The contents of the medicine cabinet for children
Ointments & Co:A sore nappy bottom can be helped by a Zinc oxide ointment. The zinc oxide has an anti-inflammatory effect, promotes wound healing and binds moisture to the skin.
One Wound and Healing ointment supports and promotes the healing process of minor injuries (scrapes, abrasions, etc.) and helps with minor inflammations or small burns.
For insect bites, a Antihistamine gel the itching and pain. But herbal preparations also have wonderful healing effects for Insect bites. You can always use these if your child has not developed an allergy to insect bites.
Treat injuries: Indispensable are Plasters in different sizes. For children, it can be fun and colourful children's plasters. The little ones like it, and the "ouch" is quickly only half as bad.
In addition Dressing material not be missing, so Sterile gauze bandages and Wound dressings or compresses, Burn dressings and an extra Bandage scissors, Fixation bandage and a Rescue blanket . A Triangular scarf can be used as a pressure bandage or arm sling. It is also important to use a Wound disinfectant. Sprays are particularly easy to use.
For injuries and bumps, homeopathic Arnica globules in the potency D6 is a favourite remedy for many parents to support the healing process. Otherwise, seek expert advice on the use of homeopathic remedies. Your midwife or paediatrician, for example, can also be your point of contact.
For colds: Especially for babies there are Saline-based nasal dropsthat decongest the mucous membranes. However, ask your paediatrician for advice, as some products are difficult to dose despite the pipette or may contain harmful ingredients. A few drops of breast milk have also proven to be an old household remedy for a blocked baby's nose. Also a 0.9% Saline solution from the plastic ampoule rinses blocked baby noses. You can cough with Cough syrup treat. This is also suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In the event of persistent fever and pain Fever suppositories/pain suppositories (However, if in doubt, contact your paediatrician if you have these symptoms. They will also prescribe paracetamol for your child as a juice or suppository. However, the dosage depends on your child's weight and the illness. You should therefore always take your child to the paediatrician if they are so ill that they need paracetamol.
As a general rule, if your baby or toddler has a cold, make sure that they drink plenty of fluids and that the bedroom has sufficient humidity.
This helps with complaints: If your little darling unfortunately suffers from abdominal pain, colic or constipation, you can Caraway suppositories remedy. Also Camomile tea can be used for your child's stomach problems to achieve a calming and anti-inflammatory effect in the digestive tract. Fennel tea you should not give your child. This tip applies to children, as babies do not need teas. Camomile tea is also useful as a bath or moist compress for treating irritated skin around the nails or nappy area. You can treat your child's red, irritated or watery eyes with Eye drops treat well. When children are teething, this can cause discomfort for the little ones. To help relieve the pain for children Teething suppositories . A baby's skin is very delicate and needs gentle care. If your child's skin is dry, you can moisturise it with Almond oil care. The oil is also very suitable for baby massages or for your body.
It is important to emphasise that you should always seek medical advice if you have a sick baby.
Items that must not be missing: a Clinical thermometera Tweezers, one Tick tweezers or tick card, Disposable glovesa Cold compress and Crusher bag.
If your child regularly certain Taking medication If your child needs to be treated for certain emergencies (e.g. seizures), these preparations should also be available after consultation with your doctor.
In an emergency
The medicine cabinet is also a good place to Important telephone numbers ready to hand when needed. Of course, you can also save them on your mobile phone, but it doesn't hurt to have them available twice in case of doubt.
The following numbers belong on the list:
▶︎ Rescue service/emergency doctor: 112
▶︎ nearest Poison centre
▶︎ Paediatric practice
▶︎ Medical on-call service: 116 117 (free of charge without dialling code)
There are also special paediatric emergency services or on-call practices that parents can contact. You can find the relevant contact details for your region using the search function on the paediatricians' website: www.kinderaerzte-im-netz.de
Tip: I generally recommend that (expectant) parents attend a first aid course for babies and (small) children themselves. Then they can save their child's life in an emergency. Here you will find the online first aid course that midwife Katharina has developed for you.
Would you like to know more about "Safety for your child"? Then find out more here here in my blog.
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