Baby First Aid
Babies do not come with manuals and this can be quite perplexing when it comes to injuries or illness. A short course in Baby First Aid will help maintain a calm approach to any injury. Babysitters, parents, grandparents and even siblings should share in the information given in these courses.
Any number of things can happen accidentally. Babies fall, touch things they shouldn’t, and just love to put things in their mouths. Here are a few first aid measures that hopefully will never have to be used.
Head and eye injuries can be very serious. Your babies skull and brain are growing rapidly, and are very fragile. Checking with your doctor is always a first choice. Head injuries are common and understandable when you consider the size of the head in proportion to the body. A fall from two or more feet can cause back, neck or head injuries. If your baby becomes unconscious, has blood coming from nose or ears, or is lethargic, call 911 and do not move your baby until help arrives.
Eye injuries usually result from bumps, cigarettes or flying objects. A doctor should be contacted in these cases. Baby First Aid can cover some injuries, but things such as irritating substances in the eyes can only be treated to a point by a caregiver. Rinse the eye for a minimum of 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
A baby’s curiosity will often lead to skin wounds and abrasions. Minor cuts are not a problem, but deep wounds, or those that need stitches or tetanus vaccine, should be treated promptly by a professional.
In most cases, a minor wound can be treated with a wash of soap and water, patting it dry, and apply some type of antibiotic ointment, and a bandaid. Replacing the bandage daily will give you an opportunity to check for infection and help keep the area clean.
Deep wounds that bleed in excess of 5 minutes, should be treated by professionals. The injured limb should be elevated and a clean dressing applied. Objects that are deeply imbedded in the skin should not be removed. Wrap the injury in a clean dry bandage and transport to the emergency room or physician.
Choking is a terrifying experience for an adult and even more so for a baby. A course in Baby First Aid can assist with this experience tremendously.
Give five back blows. Position the infant over your forearm face down. Use the heel of your hand to give firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
Turn the baby onto it’s back. Resting the head on your arm and your thigh for support, give five chest compressions.
Repeat the process until the object is ejected or the baby starts to cough. Take your baby to the doctor.
If unconscious, give 2 rescue breaths. If the air does not cause the chest to rise, the airway is blocked, and begin compressions and contact help urgently.
Look for the object in the mouth of the baby. If you see it, remove it with your pinky. Continue with another rescue breath and cycle of compressions until help arrives.
While Baby First Aid may seem complicated it is absolutely necessary to maintain a calm environment when your baby is injured.
