Welcoming a new baby into your home is a joyous occasion, but it also comes with a responsibility to ensure their health and well-being. One of the best ways to be prepared for any minor health issues your baby might face is to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet. When choosing baby care products, sticking with non-toxic options is important. Anything taken orally or used topically can have an impact on your baby’s health and well-being, so be sure to choose wisely. Here are some of my favorite products for your baby’s natural medicine cabinet.
For your baby’s day-to-day care, you’ll want to have the healthiest, gentlest, and most natural products available to you. It’s important to reduce your baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals and toxic additives, especially when it comes to what’s in their medicine cabinet. Here’s your guide to non-toxic baby care products, featuring mostly natural and gentle products for your baby’s medicine cabinet.
Tips for Using Natural Remedies Safely
- Consult Your Pediatrician: Before introducing any new remedy, always consult with your baby’s pediatrician to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for their age and condition. Every baby is different and no advice applies to everyone.
- Proper Dosage: Follow recommended dosages and instructions carefully. Always consult your doctor for dosage, not the internet.
- Patch Test: Always perform a patch test for topical remedies to check for any allergic reactions or sensitivities.
Natural Medicine Cabinet Must Haves For Babies
One of the best ways to be prepared for any minor issues or discomforts your baby might face is to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet. Having your essentials on hand can provide peace of mind and quick solutions for anything that might come up. Here’s a guide to the all-natural medicine cabinet essentials you should consider for your baby’s first year.
Nasal aspirator
A nasal aspirator is a must-have baby care item. As crazy as it sounds, we use the parent-powered Nose Frida Nasal Aspirator. Check out my other nasal aspirator reviews for other options too!
I also love the OogieBear Nose Cleaner, which also works well on both soft and hardened boogers — but ONLY if your baby lets you insert it into their nose. My guys figured out pretty early on that this was not something they wanted me to use on them, but eventually both of them allowed me to use it. It’s a life-saver!
Saline Nasal Spray
Babies are prone to nasal congestion, especially during colds or allergy seasons. Saline nasal spray or drops are gentle and effective for clearing a baby’s nasal passages. Saline nasal spray is good to have on hand in case of nasal congestion. I 100% recommend the NoseFrida saline spray. I think this is the absolute best saline spray on the market and I still use it years later for my kids.
Alternatively, you can make your own DIY saline solution with just two ingredients! Mix 12 oz. of warm purified water with 1/8 tsp. sea salt. Let it cool, and then apply a small amount to the baby’s nostril with a baby-safe cotton swab.
Gripe Water and Tummy Relief
In those early days, when newborns are experiencing gas, colic, upset stomach, and other gastrointestinal discomforts, it’s helpful to have some tummy relief remedies on hand. Wellements’ Organic Gripe Water for Tummy is 100% natural and organic, is GMO-free, has no dairy or soy, and contains no parabens, preservatives, or alcohol. It has a subtle taste and helped my little guy out when he was having tummy issues at first. The other great feature of this product is that it is sold in a glass bottle. YAY for companies that know what moms need! Make sure to keep this refrigerated after opening.
Some other options include Infant Tummy Relief Tincture from Earthley and the Tummy Oil from Rowe Casa Organics (contains essential oils).
With your pediatrician’s approval, you can also consider giving your baby some organic chamomile tea to soothe a fussy, gassy, or otherwise upset tummy. Chamomile tea is known for its calming and soothing properties. It can be used in small amounts to help with digestive issues, teething discomfort, or to promote better sleep. Make sure to consult with your pediatrician before giving any tea to your baby; babies only need small amounts and your doctor can give you a dose.
Earache Remedies
If your little one, at any ages, comes down with an earache it can be really hard to watch them suffer with an aching ear. While doctors often prescribe antibiotics for earaches, more and more pediatricians are opening up to the fact that antibiotics aren’t always the right option for ear pain. Depending on your baby’s age and the severity and type the earache, you might be able to use natural remedies like HerbPharm’s Kids Garlic Ear Oil (for ages 12 months and up) or Earthley’s Earache Ease.
Cold Remedies
For colds and things, I like Rowe Casa’s baby immune support roller (please note it does contain essential oils), Bioron Baby Cold Calm as a homeopathic cold remedy for 6+ months, and Zarbee’s Soothing Baby Chest Rub (this is amazing and I love the smell). There’s also the decongestant salve from Rowe Casa which I recently tried and loved as well!
Baby Probiotics
As far as I’m concerned, probiotics are the best multivitamin we can take. Be sure to look for a multi-strain baby probiotic that contains high quality strains like B infantis, B lactis, L rhamnosus GG, and L rhamnosus HN001. Before starting your baby on a probiotic, though, it’s best to explore this with your pediatrician or naturopath. Not all babies under the age of six months are good candidates for probiotics.
Baby Thermometer
Rectal thermometers are the most accurate at gauging core body temperature, so it’s best to use a safe rectal thermometer instead of a forehead or sublingual thermometer. To reduce the risk of inserting the thermometer too far in, you’ll want to use one that has a short probe. This is probably the most important feature to look for in a rectal thermometer. FridaBaby makes a great rectal thermometer. It might be a good idea to purchase 2 or more of these, to store one in your diaper bag just in case baby isn’t feeling well while you’re out.
Rash Creams
Natural and organic rash creams can be useful in several ways. They can provide a protective barrier, soothe inflamed skin, and help calm skin irritation — all without harsh chemicals. Look for products that contain zinc oxide (find our picks in our diaper cream guide) or calendula and other herbs. You can find my current recommendations in my natural diaper rash cream guide, or go with an all-around favorite like Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm.
Pain & Allergy Medication
I don’t like giving pharmaceuticals to babies or children. When my boys were little, I kept them on hand *just in case* but I personally avoid giving Tylenol and Motrin (as well as prescription medicine) to my kids and instead choose natural alternatives like arnica.
Tylenol/Acetaminophen: The popular baby acetaminophen brands contain some of the absolute worst ingredients. For example, the acetaminophen made by Little Remedies, whose slogan is ironically “Everything they need – nothing they don’t” is dye, gluten, and paraben free but contains propylene glycol. How do babies need petrochemicals!? I’m definitely not ok with this – babies shouldn’t be consuming petrochemicals! (I have trust issues with Little Remedies because of this.)
While Genexa makes a cleaner acetaminophen, I am still generally against using this for children — routinely, but especially if you are using it after your baby gets injections. Tylenol/acetaminophen has been found to deplete the body of glutathione (an essential and powerful antioxidant) and increase the risk of liver failure and adverse reactions to jabs. This isn’t something to risk during childhood.
Motrin/Ibuprofen: Similarly, it’s a good idea to have ibuprofen on hand, although I would only use this when absolutely necessary. Up & Up Infant Ibuprofen from Target also makes a good dye-free generic ibuprofen.
Benadryl: In case of allergic reaction, it’s smart to have an antihistamine like Benadryl on hand. Speak to your doctor about whether this is appropriate to administer to your baby, and what the appropriate dosage would be. Typically it is not advised for children under 6 months of age. I prefer Up & Up Dye-Free Children’s Allergy Relief from Target; not the cleanest product but it’s best to have this at home. I also found a homeopathic allergy relief option for infants.
If you feel uncomfortable using a rectal thermometer, you can use a regular thermometer to measure the temperature under baby’s arm (in the armpit). Just add 1 degree to the reading. Honestly, any thermometer should do the job, but here’s one from FridaBaby that can be used orally and has many positive reviews.
Want to Save This Post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nursery Humidifier
A humidifier is a must-have for every family, whether you live in a cool and dry climate or just need one on hand for occasional use when your baby isn’t feeling well.
We like the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier because it’s quiet, runs overnight, and doesn’t require a filter. My only complaint about the Crane Humidifier is that it’s a little difficult to keep it clean because it has a narrow opening. As long as you use vinegar to clean the unit as instructed, there should be no issue. If you’d like some other options, check out my complete guide to the best baby humidifiers. There are some newer options available like the Canopy humidifier, but I still use the Crane to this day.
Baby-Safe Cotton Swabs
It is recommended that you not insert a cotton swab inside a baby’s ear, and instead just clean the outer area. You can do this with a cotton swab or even with a thin washcloth, but we still use cotton swabs from time to time when necessary. I prefer baby cotton swabs because they are designed to prevent you from inserting the swab too far into your baby’s ear. The great news is that there are organic baby cotton swabs now. Previously I was using J&J cotton swabs for the longest time, but I love that there are so many options for organic cotton swabs.
All-Natural Multipurpose Ointment
Whatever you do, please don’t buy Vaseline or any real brand of “petroleum jelly”. The danger is right there in the name – traditional petroleum jelly is made with petrochemicals! Though it is refined, there is still a possibility of contamination.
Thankfully, Maty’s makes a better alternative to petroleum jelly. You’ll never miss a jar of Vaseline once you switch to the Maty’s version. As for an antibacterial ointment, I keep some Neosporin on hand, but we try not to use it unless absolutely necessary.
Baking Soda (for Soothing Baths)
Baking soda can be added to your baby’s bath to help soothe irritated skin, soothe diaper rashes, and alleviate itchiness from eczema or other skin conditions. It’s a gentle and natural remedy for maintaining healthy skin. It’s also one of the ingredients we recommend in kids detox baths.
Teething Relief
Teething items, such as non-toxic teething toys or chilled chamomile tea bags can relieve the discomfort and pain from teething. There are a number of teething hacks you can try as well, and many of my readers love the Teething Oil from Rowe Casa, Teething Tamer from Earthley, and Punkin Butt tincture.
If your little one is teething and these aren’t helping much, be sure to check out 10 Teething Hacks to Soothe and Calm Your Teething Baby.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a useful addition for disinfecting minor cuts and scrapes. Use a diluted solution (3%) to clean the affected area and help prevent infection.
Baby Nail Files and Nail Clippers
Cutting a baby’s nails can be such a terrifying experience for new parents. We avoided it as long as we possibly could, and put mittens over our son’s hands when he was a newborn — both of which aren’t recommended. Some parents bite their children’s fingernails to avoid trimming them, which is strongly advised against this method because it can transmit germs and cause hangnails. Once you get comfortable with the idea of trimming your baby’s nails, you’ll want to have the right tools available.
Nail Clippers: I prefer traditional nail clippers, but I know this isn’t for everyone. We use the First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper. It has a magnifying glass, is made for baby’s small hands, and has a nice ergonomic design that helps while you’re trimming baby’s nails. (I’ve never actually used the magnifying glass.) Also consider the Fridababy NailFrida the SnipperClipper Set, which is relatively new but growing in popularity. The SnipperClipper has a neat safety spyhole that allows you to see what you’re clipping to lessen the risk of clipping your baby’s finger, and also comes with a curved nail file.
Nail Scissors: Piyo Piyo Baby Nail Scissors are popular because they’re very baby friendly. The scissors have a slight curve to them, making it easier to trim baby’s nails. They’re also safer, since there’s less risk of clipping baby’s skin while using a nail clipper. Many parents feel more comfortable with these scissors over the nail clippers. Use what works for you!
Nail File: Whether you decide to use nail clippers or scissors, or neither, you may want to have a baby nail file on hand. Baby Blue Giraffe’s Baby Nail File is made from tempered glass, so it’s non-porous and won’t absorb germs. It’s also designed for filing tiny little fingernails, and is softer than adult nail files.
Medicine Dispensers
While most baby medicine will come with a medicine dropper, and it is recommended that you use the manufacturer’s dropper to ensure safe measurements, you may still want to have some alternatives on hand to make dispensing medicine easier.
- Eye Droppers. It’s recommended that you have some eye droppers on hand, and we like these glass medicine droppers. They have come in handy more than once (including one occasion when we needed to administer medicine to our dog), so they are a must-have in my opinion. You can sterilize these in boiling water.
- Pacifier Medicine Syringe. When your baby isn’t feeling great, they probably won’t be in the most cooperative mood, making it harder to give medicine from a traditional syringe. Try a syringe that has a pacifier on it such as the Munchkin Liquid Medicine Dispenser or the FridaBaby Accu-Dose Pacifier. Haakaa brand also makes a medicine dispenser for babies.
If you found this medicine cabinet checklist for babies helpful, save it for later!
Recommended:
Leave a Reply