Medicines to keep at home for babies: what you need and when to use it
When your baby is unwell at 2 am, the last thing you want to be doing is scrolling through pharmacy websites trying to remember what you need. Having the right medicines already in your cabinet means you can act calmly and quickly. Here is a straightforward guide to what to keep, how to use it safely, and what to avoid entirely.
The essential baby medicine cabinet
You do not need dozens of products. A small, well-chosen set covers the vast majority of what you will encounter in the first three years.
Infant paracetamol suspension is the first-line medicine for fever and pain in babies. The NHS recommends it from 2 months of age, provided your baby weighs more than 4 kg and was not born prematurely. It must not be given to babies under 2 months unless a doctor has specifically prescribed it. Paracetamol is one of the safest medicines available for babies when given at the correct dose for their weight.
Ibuprofen suspension can be used from 3 months of age when your baby weighs over 5 kg. The NHS and AAP both note it is a useful alternative or addition to paracetamol when fever or pain is not responding well to paracetamol alone. Do not give ibuprofen to a baby who has been diagnosed with kidney problems, whose asthma is triggered by NSAIDs, or who is dehydrated, as ibuprofen can affect kidney function during dehydration.
Saline nasal drops or spray are safe from birth and require no prescription. A few drops into each nostril before a feed helps loosen mucus and makes it easier for your baby to breathe and feed. They are especially useful in the first months when babies are obligate nose-breathers and cannot clear their own nose.
Oral rehydration sachets (brands include Dioralyte) replace the fluids and salts lost during vomiting and diarrhoea. Plain water does not replace the electrolytes that are lost, so oral rehydration sachets are far more effective at preventing dehydration. Follow the mixing instructions on the sachet exactly and offer them in small, frequent sips.
A digital thermometer is essential. For babies under 3 months, a rectal thermometer gives the most accurate reading, though ear thermometers are acceptable for older babies. Avoid mercury thermometers and the old strip-on-forehead types, which are not reliable for clinical use.
An emollient cream such as Diprobase or Aveeno is invaluable for dry skin and eczema flares. Emollients are safe, prescription-strength versions are available free on a GP prescription if your baby has eczema.
Antifungal cream such as clotrimazole can be useful if your baby develops a nappy rash that has persisted for more than a week and is not responding to barrier cream. A persistent, bright-red rash with satellite spots around the edges is often fungal. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.
An age-appropriate antihistamine syrup can be helpful for allergic reactions or hives. The minimum age varies by product, so read the label carefully and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which product is right for your baby's age.
What you should never give a baby
Some medicines that are safe for older children and adults are genuinely dangerous for babies. Aspirin must never be given to anyone under 16 years old due to the risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the brain and liver. This rule has no exceptions.
Adult cold and flu medicines often contain combinations of paracetamol, decongestants, and antihistamines at doses that are unsafe for babies. Even if the maths seems to work out, the formulations are not designed for babies and can cause harm.
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advises that cough syrups and decongestants should not be given to children under 6 years old. They are not effective in young children and carry risks including drowsiness and convulsions.
Topical nasal decongestant sprays (such as xylometazoline) are not for babies. And keep menthol or camphor rubs well away from a baby's face and chest area, as camphor can cause breathing problems in very young children.
Dose by weight, not just age
The dosing information on the packaging of paracetamol and ibuprofen is given for weight ranges, not just age bands. Babies of the same age can vary significantly in weight, and weight-based dosing is more accurate and safer. Always check what your baby weighs at the time of illness, and use that weight to find the right dose column. If your baby has gained weight since you last checked, recalculate.
How to measure and give liquid medicine
Always use the oral syringe that comes with the medicine. Household teaspoons vary enormously in size and are not accurate enough for measuring medicine doses for babies. Draw the liquid up to the line that matches the volume you need, hold the syringe gently inside your baby's cheek, and deliver the medicine slowly so they can swallow without choking. Squirting it directly onto the back of the throat can cause gagging.
If your baby spits out or vomits a dose shortly after giving it, the advice from the NHS is not to give another dose unless you are certain they brought up the whole amount. When in doubt, wait for the next scheduled dose.
Checking expiry dates and safe disposal
Get into the habit of checking every medicine in your cabinet every three months. Expired medicines can lose potency or, in some cases, change their chemical composition. Do not dispose of old medicines in household waste or down the drain. Return them to your local pharmacy, which can dispose of them safely. This also protects the environment from pharmaceutical contamination in water supplies.
When to call the pharmacist
Your pharmacist is one of the most accessible and underused resources in your support network. They can advise you on which product is right for your baby's age, whether two medicines interact, whether your baby's symptoms sound like something that needs a GP, and how to use a medicine correctly. Pharmacist consultations are free on the NHS, and you do not need an appointment. Do not hesitate to use them.
When to see a GP and what to tell them
See a GP if a medicine is not controlling your baby's symptoms, if you are unsure what is wrong, or if your baby is under 3 months with any illness. When you arrive, being able to tell the doctor exactly what medicine you gave, how much, at what time, and whether it helped is genuinely useful clinical information. Cubby's medicine log lets you record this accurately in the moment, so you do not have to rely on memory when you are tired and worried.
Frequently asked questions
What medicines should I have at home for a baby?
The essentials are infant paracetamol suspension, ibuprofen suspension (from 3 months), saline nasal drops, oral rehydration sachets, a digital thermometer, an emollient cream, and antifungal cream for persistent nappy rash. This small set covers the vast majority of what you will need in the first three years.
Can I give my baby adult cold medicine?
No. Adult cold and flu medicines contain ingredients at doses that are unsafe for babies. Never give them to children under the recommended age on the packaging, and do not assume the dose can simply be scaled down. The MHRA advises against cough medicines and decongestants for children under 6 years.
How do I measure liquid medicine for a baby?
Always use the oral syringe that comes with the medicine. Household teaspoons are not accurate enough. Draw up the exact volume and deliver it gently into the side of your baby's mouth, not onto the back of the throat.
What is the right dose of paracetamol for my baby?
The correct dose is based on your baby's current weight, not just their age. Check the dosing guide on the packaging for your baby's weight at the time. If you are unsure, ask a pharmacist. They are free to consult and very good at this.
Can I give antihistamine to my baby?
Most antihistamine syrups have a minimum age on the label. Check it carefully. If your baby is close to or under the minimum age, speak to a pharmacist before giving any antihistamine to confirm which product is appropriate.
When should I use oral rehydration sachets?
Use them when your baby has significant vomiting or diarrhoea and you are concerned about fluid loss. They are more effective than plain water at preventing dehydration because they replace electrolytes as well as fluids. Mix them exactly as directed on the sachet and offer small, frequent sips rather than a large volume at once.
Log every medicine, dose, and time in one place
When your baby is ill, Cubby's medicine log means you always have the full picture ready for a pharmacist or doctor.
Start free