ith a newborn in the house, you’ll want to be prepared for anything. Stock your medicine cabinet before your baby arrives so you’ll have items available if you need them. Here are some good items to include:

If your child does become ill, a rectal temperature will be most accurate in gauging your child’s fever. Know how to use your thermometer before you need to use it. Don’t be embarrassed to ask your child’s pediatrician or his or her nurse to show you how to properly take and read a rectal temperature.

Also known as a nasal aspirator, this device is essential for clearing a child’s stuffy nasal passages.

These drops will help loosen mucus in stuffy noses. Plus, they work well to keep pollen and other irritants washed away from nasal passages.

Acetaminophen (such as infant Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Children’s Advil) can be used as a fever reducer. However, contact your pediatrician prior to giving your infant any first-time medication. Also, contact your pediatrician about the proper dosage for your child. Be careful not to mask a high fever with fever-reducer medications.

Most children’s medications come with their own measuring device, but it’s a good idea to have an extra one on hand. Always wash medicine dispensers after each use.

This syrup is used to induce vomiting in the event of an accidental poisoning. However, do not use syrup of ipecac without medical advice from your doctor or Poison Control.

Bacitracin or neomycin creams can be used to treat minor cuts or scrapes.

These creams help create a moisture barrier to keep diaper rash from becoming more irritated.