0 TO 3 MONTHS
In the first few months of life, the path you’ll follow with a sick baby almost always leads straight to the doctor. You simply don’t want to take any chances with such a small and vulnerable little human. There is almost no home medications for this age, and very few will indicate doses for this age. It is much better to check with your doctor to be sure that there isn’t a serious cause for a symptom such as vomiting or fever. A few basic things that can help are: SOMETHING FOR FEVER AND PAIN.
Choose a special paediatric syrup with paracetamol, but know that fever indicates that something else is going in, so it is better to see the doctor than to try and self treat. WINDS AND CRAMPS.
A good starting point is a gripe water, such as Woodward’s, that you can give before a feed. If this doesn’t work, you could try Buscopan, but it doesn’t taste very nice. Sister Lilian’s ColicCare and Bennett’s Colic Mixture are very popular, but are stronger options, so check with your pharmacist first. GENERAL TUMMY MEDS. Paediatric Reuterina and ProbiFlora contain friendly bacteria that help with constipation, diarrhoea and cramps. STUFFY NOSE. Few things can make a baby as unhappy as a blocked nose.
Keep a salt water dropper or spray handy for relief, such as those by Salex or Stérimar. These help thin the mucus in the nose. Karvol capsules released in the room could also help.
RUNNY NOSE. Paediatric Iliadin drops can help a cold clear up. Nasal cleaning devices that allow you to suck the mucus out should have soft tips. Children only learn how to clear their noses by blowing at about 3 years of age. If the mucus is making breathing a battle, you can help with one of these devices. We like the one from Pigeon. If a stuffed nose is a regular thing, definitely get the doctor to check it out.
COUGHING. Prospan is a cough syrup that can be given from birth, but always check with your pharmacist or doctor. Keep in mind that cough syrups expire quickly, and that different ones work for different symptoms, so always check. DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING. Don’t wait – take your baby to the doctor. Keep rehydration meds like Rehidrat on hand. NAPPY RASH. A good bum cream like Sudocrem, Antipeol or Bepanthen definitely belongs in your medicine chests. Sudocrem can be used for all kinds of little skin issues.
#1 RULE
The younger the baby, the sooner you should seek medical help.