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Tips for Giving First Aid to Babies

Parents should know some of the basic steps to giving first aid to babies. At some point in time, every child will have an injury or become ill, and it is important that you know what to do in every situation to ensure the health and well being of your baby. While taking an infant CPR and first aid class is helpful, here are some tips that you can use if you need them.

  1. Allergic Reaction

    • As your baby starts to explore both the world and different foods, she might have an allergic reaction. The most severe form, known as anaphylaxis, can be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include difficulty breathing, hives and swelling. Call 911 or get to the nearest hospital if your baby shows any of those symptoms. If she does have a severe allergy, you will be given an EpiPen which will stop an allergic reaction. To use it, remove the gray cap, point the black cap to the outer thigh, jab the EpiPen at a 90 degree angle into the thigh and hold it there for 10 seconds. Remove the EpiPen and rub the injection site gently for an additional 10 seconds. Check the black tip to be sure that the needle is exposed. If it is exposed, the medication was given. If not, repeat the steps. Replace the cap and do not use again. Take your baby to a doctor immediately.
      If your baby has a milder reaction to an allergy such as eczema, a runny noise or sneezing you will be able to use over the counter first aid. Eczema can be treated with hydrocortisone cream. Infants can also be given small doses of allergy medications, but call your doctor for the correct dosage.

    Illness

    • All babies will get a fever at some point in time. A baby is considered to have a high fever if the temperature reaches above 103 degrees F. It is important to try to reduce the fever because a prolonged high fever can lead to a seizure. Give your baby some infant fever reduction medication. Make sure that the medication states that it is for infants---not children or adults. Take off the baby's clothes and sponge her off with a cool washcloth. If the fever does not go down, or your baby starts to show signs of distress such as quick, shallow breathing, call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

    Injury

    • Most injuries in infants are caused by car accidents. If your baby sustains an injury, look for bleeding or bumps and bruises forming. If your baby is bleeding, put pressure on it until the bleeding stops, clean the wound and cover it with a bandage. If the bleeding has trouble stopping, or if the wound looks deep, take the baby to the emergency room to be evaluated by a doctor. If you see a bump or bruise starting to form, hold a cold compress over the injury. Watch your baby carefully, especially if the bump was on the head. If your baby has changes in behavior, or if you are concerned take him to your doctor for an evaluation.

    Choking

    • If your baby starts to choke but is coughing, let her continue to cough. She might be able to dislodge the object herself. If she cannot, ask someone else to call 911. If you are alone, you should do at least two minutes of care before you stop to call 911. To help a choking baby, see if you can see the object she is choking on. If you can, try to remove it with your fingers in a hooking motion. Be careful to not push it further down the throat. If not, you must lay her face down on your forearm with her head lower than the rest of her body and her head supported by your hand. Use the heel of your other hand to give the baby five hits to the back between the shoulder blades. You should then carefully turn the baby so that she is facing up supporting the head and neck the entire time. Give her five chest thrusts by placing two fingers directly between the baby's nipples and compressing the chest about an inch. Repeat these steps. If your baby starts to cough, let her try to cough the object out.

    Infant CPR

    • If your baby stops breathing or his pulse stops. You will need to do infant CPR. As with choking instructions, have someone call 911. If you are alone, give two minutes of care and then stop to call for help. Lay him on a flat surface and open his airway by slightly tipping his head back. Check to make sure that there is nothing visible that is blocking his airway. If there is, try to remove the object with a hooking motion of your fingers. To start CPR, cover his mouth and nose with your mouth and give him two quick breaths. Be careful and do not force too much air into his lungs. The air should be just enough to make his chest rise. If the chest does not rise, the baby could be choking. If the air does go in, continue with infant CPR. The pattern should be as follows, 30 chest compressions to two breaths. To do the chest compressions, imagine a line between the baby's nipples, place two fingers directly below that line in the center of it, and compress the chest 1/2 inch to an inch. Continue the pattern until help arrives.

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