The First Years Essentials Care Kit

The clippers are invaluable. Not just for baby, but for me as well. I can clip a nail on a teeny-weeny hand or I can clip a jagged edge on my own nail. The files really come in handy for this. Definitely get some of those separately so you can have extras.

The thermometer is great. I have about 3 different "under the tongue/arm" ones that I'm always using. Results aren't really fast, but considering the price and the fact that most people can't afford an ear thermometer for the diaper bag, it works well enough.

The rattle is pretty good. I got a similar rattle with Winnie-the-Pooh, just to add some variety.

The aspirator is good for travel, but get a preemie nasal aspirator for home. However, I like how you can open this one up and clean it out. Most that I've seen don't have that feature.

The medicine dropper is pretty good. About average for what you're going to find. I also have one from the First Years with Big Bird on it. It doesn't have an end cap, but it works just as well as the one that comes with this set.

You can't go wrong with this set, or one like it. Whether you use it at home or in the diaper bag, just having these little tools all right there is nice.


great case!   April 29, 2003
K. Toppa (Newport, RI United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I love this case, it has everything you need in ine handy case. The nose sucky is the best one we have including better than the hospital one, it always works without repeated effort, which is very important when you have a squirming infant!


Must Have!!!   March 19, 2003
S. Jordan (Newport, RI USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a must have for all moms and dads. I have used everything in this little kit so far, except for the dropper. I keep it in my diaper bag at all times!


So very useful!   March 7, 2003
A Month of Sundays (Costa Mesa, CA United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have been so glad to have this kit. It was worth every penny. Everyone told me that the only worthwhile nasal aspirators were the ones you get from the hospital. Well, my hospital aspirator cracked after just a few days of use. I was so pleased to find that the one in this kit is even more effective and much more durable. The thermometer is effective and easy to use. It does have to be held a while in position, but I've never found an accurate thermometer that didn't take a few minutes to get the reading.

But by far the best part of this kit is the dropper. I have read some people complain that it is too big. The size is precisely what I love about it. When my baby had an ear infection, she had to receive a teaspoon of antibiotic. The pharmacy could provide us a beaker style spoon, but my daughter was much too young to use that effectively. This dropper made giving her the medication a breeze. Just slide it in, place the tip between cheek and gum, and slowly squeeze. Simple and tidy.

I have been repeatedly relieved to have this kit on hand, and would recommend it to any parent.


My Other Wallet   August 27, 2002
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

I use this little zipper bag as a sort of gadget purse for baby health things. Even with everything in it I can find room for a Desitin tube, a bottle of Mylicon drops, a bottle of Baby Tylenol, Q-tips, and a little sample bottle of Eucerin cream for baby's exema. On the side is a net pocket where I keep my pediatrician's appointment cards and medicine instructions. Also, on the inside are a couple of pockets where phone numbers are kept on a provided card; I keep a pocket-sized record of baby's immunizations (that my nurse gave me) in there as well. Very handy.