What to Have in Your First Aid Kit For Sick Kids

The stuff to help you overcome the endless barrage of sickness with kids.

Ever caught yourself in a moment where a been-there-done-that parent offers advice and as you silently nod, you think to yourself, “that will never be us; we are different”. That’s how I felt about sickness, until we started daycare.

When the sickness started, it felt non-stop. That's because it is. The Royal Children’s Hospital say, “It is common for healthy children to have up to 12 viral illnesses per year in the first few years of life. It’s also common for children to get sick from one virus shortly after getting better.” In addition, “colds are very common in healthy children; on average, kids before preschool get at least six colds per year”.

For many families, especially those with kids in care, sickness is like a game of Russian roulette with the odds stacked against you. Hand, Foot and Mouth, Covid-19, nose bleeds, colds, green snot, the flu, ear infections, gastro and shingles are all common bugs your kid can pick up from being in the presence of other kids. Nothing is worse than nursing a tiny body that is sick. It’s frightful. It also makes working near impossible. For the lucky few, sickness triggers a juggling act with carers leave and grandparents, whilst for most it means loss of income, health and sanity.

Gabrielle Narrow, writes in Birthspace, “When we try and balance career and motherhood, we enviably fail. That’s not to say we can’t do both, we absolutely can and we absolutely do. What I am saying is we shouldn’t strive for balance or perfection in this space”.

With a shift in season comes a shift in our immunity. Michaela Rinkel, Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor and Acupuncturist, explains to us why spring is also a peak time for sickness.

“In winter, the body goes into restore mode. Like animals who hibernate, our body's energy survives off what is already stored in the bank. As the seasons shift into Spring and the energy is upward and outward moving, it takes a while for the body to adjust. That’s why we can be even more susceptible to pathogens and sickness”.

So if sickness and illness are unavoidable/inevitable, all we can do is be prepared. A first aid course under your belt and some key tools to help you manage, measure illness severity, and get you through to the other side. From congestion to nappy rash, here is our top recommendations for your medicine cabinet.

Oricom Care HFS1000 Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

A kid's temperature can oscillate in minutes. A fever is when your child’s body temperature is higher than 38°C. A normal temperature range for children is 36.5°C-38°C. Having a thermometer is a must for your first aid kit. This will enable you to determine what to do next, panadol or a run to the Children’s Hospital. The Omicron HFS1000 Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer is a super handy contactless thermometer to monitor your baby’s temperature, it also measures their room temp (handy for the peak of winter and summer). It takes fast readings in less than two seconds at the touch of a button. We love the colour-coded reading technology to help you determine illness severity (Red 38+ degrees, Yellow 37 degrees, Green for 36 degrees). Buyer and mother of two Hilary quotes, “This thermometer is so easy to use, and so quick (which is necessary when your toddler isn’t the sit-still type)”.

Benefits

Easy to use
Toddler friendly
Accurate
Quick time reading
Portable (great for travel)

On The Go Travel First Aid Kit

Tiny Hearts Education was founded by two Melbourne Mums, Nikki and Rach to give parents and caregivers the confidence and resources they need to tackle critical care situations for infants and children. In addition to first aid classes, the Tiny Hearts On The Go Travel First Aid Kit is an essential for all young families, everything you need ‘just in case’, to treat cuts, grazes, bites, stings and mishaps. The lightweight, durable kit can go wherever you are, easily carried with its handle. There are 32 items in the kit, all designed for being used on little people.

Benefits

Compact for keeping in the car
Comes with step-by-step instructions for dealing with different first aid emergencies
Created by a paramedic

FridaBaby NoseFrida

The Frida NoseFrida is your go-to natural, hygienic baby booger buster. It is safe (for parents and child), so you can say "sayonara" to snotty noses. To make it work, you may have to let go of getting grossed out, although parenting is all about the mess, right? Simply pop the large tube against your baby’s nostril (not deep inside), creating a seal and then use the red mouthpiece to suck out the snot (yes you read this correctly,) the disposable filters will collect the snot. The clinical disposable filters are proven to prevent the transfer of mucus or bacterial germs to the snot sucker when clearing stuffy noses. You can replace the filter after every use. Unlike other nasal aspirators, you don't need to pop it in deep in their nose and there is no need for batteries. It’s affordable and reviewed by parents across the globe and so that’s why it’s here.

Benefits

Comes with a travel case
Extra filters sold separately
No batteries
Paediatrician approved

Fridababy 3 in 1 Picker

This 3-in-1 Nose, Nail and Ear Picker for your baby is exactly that. Sometimes, there’ll be a bit of gunk you’ll want to help clear for them, but you know, gross. Make the process easy, efficient and satisfying with this perfect design that cleans crusties out of all bodily crevices with an in-built safety component that ensures each tip doesn’t go in too far in. It comes with four interchangeable tips for the nose, nails, ear and one for everything else (think belly button, between toes, etc.). When it’s ready for a clean, you can use soapy water or just chuck it in the dishwasher.

Benefits

Dishwasher-friendly
Multipurpose

Coconut Oil Kids Adhesive Bandages

An ideal alternative to mainstream bandages, PATCH Organic Strips are crafted with 100% organic Bamboo fibre and gauze. They are latex free, vegan and imbued with coconut oil. Kids skin is sensitive, and these bandages get it. They also come off easily. A true blessing.

Benefits

Organic
Latex-free

Kids Ice And Heat Pack - Pablo The Penguin

Little bumps on little bodies require a little TLC. Help kids recover from bumps and bruises with these soothing ice and heat gel-bead packs from Body Ice Kids. The playful characters will keep things comforting and familiar. They are non-toxic and reusable, simply store in the fridge or freezer to soothe, or warm up in the microwave for a warm cuddle. We love how they can be kept in place using the included straps, perfect for wiggly bodies.

Benefits

Non-leaking
Reusable
Easy for kids to self apply

Crane Cool Mist Humidifier + Aroma Diffuser

WTF is a humidifier? Think of it like a more advanced version of Vicks Vapour Rub. A humidifier is a must for all new parents. Why? When cold and flu season hits, this is a tool for parents to keep the sickness at bay. Humidifiers increase the moisture in the air (which can become unbalanced by heaters and air conditioning), aiding dry coughs, congestion, nose bleeds, itchy eyes and scratchy throats. Phoebe Simmonds stepmother to Tyler says, “During a particularly rough week of sickness, it was difficult to hear our little boy cough his way through the night, so we bought a humidifier for his room, which helped give some relief in the evenings”. This one is a safe option as a humidifier for babies and toddlers; it emits cool mist, doesn't overheat and is not a burning hazard if pushed over. It has an inbuilt nightlight function with multiple soft rotating colours making it visually soothing for bedtime.

Benefits

Doubles as a night light
Safe and not hazardous like other humidifiers
Simple to use
No need for batteries

Mere Nappy Cream

When kids are sick or teething, they often get sore red bums. The Mere Nappy Cream is designed for delicate and irritated skin. This one is made with a botanical blend of calendula, aloe, chickweed and marshmallow all ingredients that are soothing, healing, and protecting. When shopping for nappy cream, Zinc oxide is the hero ingredient that you’ll want. Why? It creates a protective barrier for broken skin. You can use it as many times as required on the affected area.

Benefits

No silicones, parabens, PEGs, sulphates (SLS/SLES), GMOs, mineral oils, petrolatum, synthetic colours and fragrances.
Free from animal testing.
No nuts (childcare friendly.)
Zinc creates a barrier to help protect the skin from irritation.

Bunjie Peek A Boo Baby Eye Wipes

These are gentle probiotic wipes are designed to remove goop from tiny eyes. For most babies, the openings into the tear duct don’t form until after birth. With no tear duct, there is no area for the eye to drain so. Therefore, it’s common for fresh babies to get goop and crusty secretions in both eyes and lashes in those first few months. Made from super-soft bamboo, the Probiotic Baby Eye Wipes x30 are a gentle and hygienic way to remove all the crust and leave little eyes looking healthy and fresh. Being bamboo, they are 100% compostable, toxin-free and pH balanced to match the natural pH of little tears. Perfect for daily use with conditions such as sticky eye, conjunctivitis, eczema, sensitive skin and allergies.

Benefits

Single-use for hygiene yet compostable, so good for the planet
Easy to use
Gentle and pH balanced
Appropriate for newborns to toddlers

The Kind Sunscreen SPF 30+ Vegan

The Australian sun is some of the harshest sun in the world. Too much sun can lead to sunburn, skin damage, eye damage, skin cancer and a weakened kids immune systems. Before children are 6 months of age it’s not recommended to pop sunscreen on. Why? The Australasian College of Dermatologists say a young baby's skin tends to absorb more of any chemical applied than would the skin of an older child or adult. Living in the Australian heat is near impossible to avoid sunlight so sunscreen, hats, shade, long sleeve protective clothes are a must. The Kind SFP 30+ Sunscreen. Vegan-friendly and free of chemicals, emulsifiers, thickeners, stabilisers and water, this all-natural zinc formula with protection from both UVA and UVB creates a moisture-locking barrier to reflect rays and help prevent sun damage. Safe for all humans — babies, breastfeeding mums and those with allergies or sensitive skin — and kind to the environment, this broad spectrum sun protection is a new parents go-to before every outdoor adventure. And the best bit? This natural baby sunscreen is a non-greasy cream that dries fast for easy application.

Benefits

All-natural
Quick drying
Non-greasy
Vegan friendly

Snotty Boss Nasal Aspirator Kit

The Snotty Nose Aspirator has battery powered suction that you use to remove snot from your baby’s nose gently and safely in ten seconds to help them breathe, feed and sleep better. It;s battery operated so it’s quick and not fussy. Nothing is worse than a congested baby who can’t breathe properly, so this is a great and natural easy solution for treating colds, flu, sinus, allergies, teething and virus-related congestion and runny nose. The total kit comes with a quiet motorised snot sucker to clear the nose, soft silicone nozzles and scientifically tested suction. Endorsed by lactation consultants, first aid trainers and sleep consultants, this is where baby first aid meets super design and function.