Baby Registry: Health, First Aid, and Safety Supplies

Health and First Aid Supplies

Bulb syringe or nasal aspirator

Skip the expensive health and first aid kits and use the bulb syringe from the hospital to suction mucus and fluid from baby’s nose and mouth.

  • Nosefrida “The Snotsucker” Nasal Aspirator ($20-22): If you left your bulb at the hospital, the Nosefrida nasal aspirator gets rave reviews. This Swedish design features a tube that is placed against the nostril. Parents then use their own suction to draw out mucus, while filters prevent mucus and bacterial transfer.

Saline drops

This is a must-have product, as you will use saline drops and a suction bulb to clear baby’s first stuffy nose (there will be many). Use drops before feeding or nursing, especially if baby has a cold.

Brand recommendation:

Money Saving Tip

Health and First Aid Supplies

In general, do not buy general health and first aid supplies at a baby store, unless you want to pay 20-50% more. Mass merchandisers and warehouse stores will almost always be cheaper. For example, an Exergen temporal scanner for monitoring baby’s temperature is $40 at Buy Buy Baby and $24 at Target or Walmart, while a Vicks FilterFree Humidifier is $50-60 at Buy Buy Baby and $40 at Walmart.

Digital temporal scanner and back-up rectal thermometer

These are must-have items for your medicine cabinet to monitor baby’s fever. The temporal scanner is a go-to fever checker, while the rectal thermometer can provide back-up and a more reliable reading for small infants. Note: taking a rectal reading is less intimidating than it sounds. Simply place baby on the changing table as if changing a diaper, put a dab of Aquaphor or Vaseline on the tip, and insert gently.

Brand recommendations:

AAP Advice on Managing Fevers in Children

Fever is a physiological mechanism that has beneficial effects in fighting infection. Although many parents administer antipyretics (medications to reduce a fever) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to a child to reduce a fever, the report emphasizes that the primary goal should be to help the child feel more comfortable, rather than to maintain a “normal” temperature.

  • Parents should focus on the general well-being of the child, his/her activity, observing the child for signs of serious illness and maintaining appropriate fluid intake.
  • Parents should not wake up a sleeping child to administer a fever-reducer. Antipyretics must be stored safely to avoid accidental ingestions.
  • Parents should be aware that the correct dosage is based on the child’s weight, and that an accurate measuring device should always be used.

While there is some evidence that combination therapy (alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen) may be more effective at lowering body temperature, questions remain about whether it is safe and whether it helps children feel more comfortable.  Combination therapy also increases the risk of inaccurate dosing. 

Infant acetaminophen

*Babies should not be given any type of medicine under age three months. Ask your doctor about appropriate dosages, and use only the dosing dropper that comes in the package with your medicine.

Brand recommendation:

  • Infant Tylenol ($9-10 for 2 oz.) or store brand acetaminophen since the FDA strictly requires generic medications to have the same active ingredients as patented medications. Be sure to select infant-labeled medicine and not children’s medicine.

Note: In a recent study analyzing Nielsen data from more than 77 million shopping trips, researchers found that pharmacists, physicians, and nurses were significantly more likely to buy store-brand drugs and other health products. Pharmacists devoted 90% of their purchases for headache remedies to private labels, versus 71% for the average consumer.87

Infant ibuprofen

*Do not give ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin, to a child less than six months old. Ask your doctor about dosages, and use only the dropper that comes in the package with your medicine.

Brand recommendation:

Gas relief medicine

Anti-gas simethicone drops can bring relief to some babies. Simethicone is generally believed to be safe because it is not absorbed by the body. Rather, it is an anti-foaming agent that decreases the surface tension of gas bubbles, allowing them to pass more easily.

Brand recommendations:

Cough and cold relief

The AAP recommends that babies and young children should not be given OTC cough and cold medicine because it is not proven to be effective and can be harmful. Steam from a warm shower, saline drops, and a suction bulb are typically recommended instead. A humidifier in baby’s room may also help, in addition to a little extra TLC when baby is sick.

Cotton balls

Use the biggest 100% cotton balls you can find to clean your newborn’s face, neck folds, and diaper area between baths during the first weeks and months.

Baby Q-tips

Use safety swabs with a bulb on the tip to clean the outer ear area. Never insert Q-tips into the ear canal.

Brand recommendations:

Hair brush

This is helpful for taming unruly hair and flaking off cradle cap.

Brand recommendations:

Nail clippers

Buy two pairs, in case you misplace them. Even if baby cries, use your best distraction techniques to get those nails clipped. Plastic magnifiers with clippers are silly because they get bent and scratched.

Brand recommendations:

Baby nail files

I don’t see the point in buying a $25 electric baby nail filer when I can file babies nails with a $0.10 emery board. Nevertheless, nail filing is no simple task with a squirmy, fussy baby. If you are struggling to hold baby while filing, have someone else help after a bath when nails are softest or during a feeding when baby is distracted.

Baby shampoo and body wash

Baby’s skin is 20-30% thinner and more porous than adult skin, allowing product ingredients to be more readily absorbed. Children also drink bath water and eat soap bubbles, so the fewer chemicals, the better.

Brand recommendations:

Eco Tip

What to Avoid: Baby Shampoo and Skin Products

Avoid these substances in baby skincare products: Parabens & phthalates, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance, Triclosan, Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate, Formaldehyde/quaternium-15, FD&C Color Pigments, PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) & Propylene Glycol, Talc, DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), and TEA (Triethanolamine).

Baby lotion

Look for no dyes, fragrances, and perfumes. Baby care products with an ingredient labeled “fragrance” may contain phthalates. A 2008 study published in Pediatrics found that 81% of the 163 infants tested had phthalates in their urine above limits of detection, and infant exposures to lotion, shampoo, and powders were significantly associated with higher urinary concentrations, especially in the younger infants. 88, 89

Brand recommendations:

Did You Know?

Sunscreen

In 2013, the FDA ruled that companies can no longer use the term sunblock. Sunscreens, which are classified as drugs, are to be differentiated into “chemical” and “physical barrier” categories. Mineral-based formulas (also called physical sunscreens) that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are preferred to chemical formulas, since they are not absorbed into the skin. Zinc oxide is preferred to titanium dioxide, due to its broad-spectrum coverage, although many “natural” sunscreens contain both. Micronized zinc or titanium is recommended vs. nano zinc or titanium, which may contain small enough particles to cross into the skin.

Baby sunscreen

Babies and young children have sensitive skin that is easily irritated by the chemicals in adult sunscreens, so try to avoid chemical sunscreens with anything that ends in –benzone. Look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays, also called broad-spectrum protection. Know that if you see an SPF above 50, it is likely a chemical-based sunscreen. Also, check your baby’s sunscreen in the EWG Skin Deep database. Some brands will game the system by creating one or two formulas with a “1” or “2” low hazard rating and then market the whole line as “EWG rated and approved.” In summary, just say yes to: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients, SPF 15 to 50, hats and shade in the mid-day sun, and reapplication often. Just say no to: oxybenzone and the benzones, retinyl palmitate, aerosol spray, SPF above 50, and sunscreens with added insect repellent.90

Brand recommendations:

  • Best Overall: ThinkBaby Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($9 for 3 oz.): first sunscreen to pass the Whole Foods Premium Care line requirements, rated “1” or low hazard on EWGs Skin Deep web site, not thick or greasy, mineral-based formula goes on easily
  • Best Classic Physical Barrier (zinc-oxide only): Badger All Natural Zinc Oxide Baby Sunscreen ($12-13 for 2.9 fluid oz.),a longtime organic favorite, is formulated with non-nano, uncoated zinc oxide, which is considered the safest, most effective sunscreen element.

Household cleaners

If mixing your own cleaning products is just not your thing, buy eco-friendly brands.

Brand and product recommendations (using factors of cost, green ratings, and online reviews):

Baby friendly laundry detergent

Choose brands with no dyes, fragrances, or perfumes. See the EWG Cleaning grades to see if your laundry detergent gets an “A.”

Brand recommendations:

Baby Clothes Stain Remover

You will become a professional clothes scrubber by the time your child goes to kindergarten.

Brand recommendation:

  • OxiClean Baby Stain Soaker ($9 for 3 lb.): This product receives the only “A” in EWG’s database for laundry stain remover.
  • Babyganics Stain & Odor Remover ($15 for 32 oz. spray bottle pack of 3) Gentle plant-based ingredients that are safe enough to use around your baby but powerful enough clean any mess.

Steam Mop

Steam mops clean and sanitize your floors without the use of harsh chemicals.

Brand recommendations:

Inexpensive: BISSELL Powerfresh Steam Mop ($79-100)

Safety Supplies

Comprehensive Baby Proofing and Child Safety Checklist.

Baby monitor – Audio, Video, and Wearable Monitors

A baby monitor is a two-piece device where a transmitter stays in baby’s room and the receiver goes with a parent or caretaker, who can then monitor baby—through sound and/or video—while she’s asleep in her crib.

There are three types of baby monitors.

  • Audio monitor: allows you to listen to baby
  • Video monitor: lets you watch baby move in her crib
  • Wearable monitor: tracks vitals like sleep patterns, heart rate, and breathing

What features should you look for in a baby monitor?

  • Range: How far away you can be from baby’s crib and still get uninterrupted monitoring? Do you live in a multi-level home, or in an older home with thick walls? You will need a longer range monitor.
  • Display quality/screen size: Some video monitors have large screens with higher resolution that offer a clearer image of baby. Some systems rely on an app that you view on your cell phone.
  • Portability: Some cameras must be wall mounted, some can sit on your nightstand, while others can travel away from home.
  • Two-way communication: This feature lets you speak to your baby over the monitor.
  • Battery life: This tells you how long you can carry the monitor screen or audio receiver around before having to plug it in to charge.
  • Remote camera adjustments: The ability to use the monitor to remotely adjust the camera’s view can come in handy.
  • Wireless encryption: WiFi able monitors are great for portability and range, but may be susceptible to hacking. Always secure your wireless routing equipment. Also, look for digital monitors with a 2.4 GHz FHSS wireless transmission.
  • Other features:

If you live in a city, an apartment building, or a house full of electronics, buy a digital DECT (Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) monitor to eliminate chances of interference and unintended eavesdropping. DECT models work in the 1.9 GHz frequency range, instead of operating within 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz, the same bands as many cordless phones and wireless networks. Note: video monitors work on either the 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz band, so you may experience overlap with a neighbor. Analog audio monitors are inexpensive; however, they send signals directly to the monitor without being encrypted. Two receivers, or parent units, are convenient. Look for ones with rechargeable batteries, or else take stock in a battery company. Do not put the monitor, or cord, within baby’s reach of the crib, due to risk of strangulation.

Brand recommendations:

Best Video and Smart Monitors

  • Best Overall: Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor. Over 30,000 reviews on Amazon, 2018 Popular Mechanics Best Baby Monitor, parents love that you can zoom in on baby
  • Best Budget: Summer Infant In View 2.0 Video Monitor Big screen and zoomable at half the cost of other monitors.
  • Best Video with Baby Vitals: Owlet Smart Sock 2 and Cam (audio, video, heart rate, oxygen levels). Track your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels while streaming HD video and audio to your Smartphone Owlet App. You can use FSA or HSA funds to purchase an Owlet.
  • Best Range: Philips Avent SCD-630 Video Baby Monitor, Excellent video capabilities with a long range, 980 ft.
  • Best Nanny Cam: Nest Cam Security Camera. If you want to check in on baby while you are at work, and have the security of a home monitoring system, the Nest cam is handy.
  • Best for a Large Family, Big House, and Multiple Kids: Motorola MBP36XL Video Baby Monitor. This monitor has a 1000 ft. range and can be hooked up to 4 different cameras for watching multiple kids in multiple rooms.
  • Most Innovative: Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor and Wall Mount. Stay connected to your baby with two-way audio, background audio, and remote viewing from anywhere. Get your baby more sleep with sleep tracking and personalized sleep guidance from Nanit Insights, and see how they improve over time. One year of Nanit Insights sleep tracking and personalized sleep guidance now included.

Best Audio

Comparison of Top Picks for Baby Monitors

Brand Price RangeScreen Size
Smart Phone
Owlet Smart Sock 2 and Cam $400100 ft. sock to baseCell phone
Nanit Plus Smart Baby Monitor and Wall Mount $300 Unlimited (thru WiFi)Cell phone
Nest Cam Security Camera $175 Unlimited (thru WiFi)Cell phone
Video
Motorola MBP36XL Video Baby Monitor $1801000 ft.5-inch
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor $165700 ft.3.5-inch
Philips Avent SCD-630 Video Baby Monitor $155980 ft.3.5-inch
Summer Infant In View 2.0 Video Monitor $100 600 ft.5-inch
Audio
Philips Avent SCD-570 DECT Baby Monitor $115900 ft.NA (audio only)
VTech DM221 Audio Baby Monitor $251000 ft.NA (audio only)

Breathing monitor

The AAP states that doctors are not to prescribe breathing monitors, even for premature infants. Breathing movement monitors, such as Graco-owned Angelcare (an under-the-mattress movement sensor pad senses each and every one of your baby’s movements and will sound an alarm if no movement is detected after 20 seconds), or BabySense, do not prevent SIDS, and the companies themselves steer clear of this claim. However, some parents assert that peace of mind is worth the cost of this product.

Note: In late November 2013, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Angelcare Monitors Inc. voluntarily recalled 600,000 Angelcare movement and sound monitors with sensor pads, due to a strangulation hazard presented by cords between the mattress sensor and monitor. 

Safety Alert!

Safety Gates

Use a hardware-mounted gate for the top of stairs, regardless of how much you want to avoid drilling holes in your wall. Pressure mounted gates are not strong enough to prevent your child from falling. A hardware-mounted gate bolts to framing inside the walls of your home; although, one side of the gate may have to bolt to a wooden railing or banister, depending on your top-of-stairs configuration. You can use pressure-mounted gates for the bottom of stairs, inside doors, or to block off non-childproofed rooms.

Safety gates are typically used between the ages of six months and two years old. They can be multi-purpose barriers: protecting children from falling down or climbing up stairs, keeping a child out of a non-childproofed room, or separating a child from a pet. Also, measure twice and buy once; make sure that safety gates purchased are larger than the opening. Finally, if you visit grandparents often, you may want to purchase some inexpensive or pre-owned gates for protecting their home.

Brand recommendations:

Top of Stairs Hardware-Mounted

Best Value

  • KidCo Safeway ($43-60): Parents love this gate because it is tough and made of coated steel. Many also report that the gate is a good value, although the downside is that you have to remember to close it.

Best for Households with Multiple Children

  • Dream Baby Swing Closed Security Gate ($50): This gate, which comes in an extra tall model, has a mechanism that closes the gate automatically behind you, so parents never have to worry about an open gate, especially one left open by an older sibling. We upgraded to this model with our second child, although elderly family members and guests struggled with the tricky pull-up-and-out latch.

Bottom of Stairs and Pressure-Mounted Doorway

Best Overall

  • Regalo Easy Step Gate ($35-40): This gate is the runaway top seller on Amazon and other baby web sites because of its versatility and affordability. The Easy Step is easy to install. In our family, we used it both as a hardware-mounted, top-of-stairs gate (with just one child) and a pressure-mounted, bottom-of-the-stairs gate in four different homes (with four different banister configurations).

Sleekest Design

  • Munchkin Loft ($117-140): This gate has a cool, modern design with dark wood and brushed metal slats. The hardware-mounted Loft can also fit irregular openings between 26.5 and 40 inches wide.

Safety devices for child proofing a home

Safety devices for baby proofing include: electrical outlet covers or sliding safety plates, cabinet locks, anti-tipping straps, cord shortening or wind-up devices, toilet seat locks, doorknob handles, stove guards, furniture edge guards, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors. This list is probably more comprehensive than you will need for every location in the house. However, if you are not the primary caretaker for your child in your home, then I would invest in some critical childproofing items. You will also have a better sense of your child’s personality and level of curiosity prior to childproofing, which affects the number of items that you may or may not need to purchase.

Comprehensive Baby Proofing and Child Safety Checklist.

Brand recommendations:

Water Filtration System

These eco-friendlier costs are adding up, I know. Nevertheless, I would prioritize installing a water filtration system in your home over many baby products, especially if your annual water quality report is poor. Check local drinking water online at www.water.epa.gov/drink/local/ or through your provider’s consumer confidence report (CCR) or through the EWG’s Tap Water Database. Caution: A CCR may tell you about your water but does not include what is coming out of your pipes. Lead and other substances can leach from pipes, joints, and fixtures in older homes. Contact your local health authority for a free or low cost water testing kit and send your sample to an EPA approved lab at www.epa.gov/safewater/labs. First Alert also sells a Drinking Water Test Kit on Amazon. If you know what contaminants are in your water, you can match a filter to the problem substances. Recommended filtration systems:

  • Maximum filtration: Kinetico K5 ($1800). Rated best overall by a leading consumer magazine, customizable filters for your local contaminants, very expensive
  • Larger tank with wide range of chemicals removed: Culligan Aqua-Cleer ($1000). Pricey yet excellent for lead and organic compounds
  • Best value: Kenmore Elite 38556 or 38000-series ($170-260). Relatively low-priced upfront and for annual upkeep with solid filtration tests
  • Best Under-the-Sink: Multi-Pure MP750SB ($430). Best flow rate among under-the-sink filters, or Aqua-Pure ($300): less expensive up front but higher annual filter costs, so-so flow
  • Faucet-mounted: Culligan FM-15A or FM-25 ($20-25). Best filtration and flow rate, or Pur FM-3700B: excellent filtration, okay flow rate
  • Carafe: Brita Large 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher ($25-28), or ZeroWater 10-cup Pitcher ($28): great for lead, doesn’t claim to remove organic compounds.
Kim Arrington Johnson:
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