What To Stock In Your Medicine Cabinet

Medicine Cabinet Essentials

A well-stocked medicine cabinet is essential now that your toddler is on the move. It's time to add a few new items:

• Emergency and National Poisons Information Service phone numbers

• Antibiotic ointment for small cuts and scrapes

• Childproof bottles of paracetamol ibuprofen, calamine lotion (plain), children's vitamins (if you want your child to have them), electrolyte solution for use with diarrhoea (keep an eye on the expiry date) and sunscreen (ideally SPF 50)

• Digital thermometer (mercury thermometers are no longer recommended); an ear thermometer is easy to use at this age, but is more expensive than a basic digital one that can be used rectally or under the arm of a small child.

• Self-adhesive bandages of all sizes

• Tweezers

• Paper tape and gauze to cover larger scrapes

• An ice bag or a bag of frozen peas for bumps and strains

• Adult medicines including vitamins and dietary supplements. If you use any alternative medicines for your child, have your healthcare provider or pharmacist check the components to be sure that they're safe for children.