First Aid For Babies: Techniques You Should Know

Just as much as we are encouraged to learn first aid for adults, we should also make an effort to do the same for babies. While you may have safety gates and playpens, and an array of safety equipment and the best baby monitors; their tiny bodies are very vulnerable to all sorts of unfortunate incidents, and it is up to the mother to learn how to ease them in case they happen.

First aid applicable to babies, especially newborns, may be a little different from that applied to adults which is why every mother needs to know exactly what to whenever something happens. Here are some of the techniques you should know:

WHEN THE BABY IS CHOKING

You may be feeding your baby and realize that they are not crying, coughing or making any gurgling sounds. Something may be stuck in their windpipe, blocking their breathing. This is when the baby starts to choke. It may be food, saliva or even mucus blocking their airway, which is why they can’t make any sound. Either way, you need to take fast action. Here’s what to do if you suspect that your baby is choking:

1. Pick them up
2. Bend them forward with one hand supporting them on the neck or chin
3. Place them gently on your thigh (you should be seated)
4. Make sure that the baby’s head is lower than their bottom
5. Administer the back blows. With the heel (the bottom part of the palm) of your hand, give them a blow between their shoulder blades. Try this a couple of times till the object comes out.

WHEN THE BABY IS BURNED OR SCALDED

Burns are very agonizing and require instant relief from the searing pain that accompanies them. Whether by direct heat or by something liquid, you need to act fast as your actions then will determine how the baby recovers (or if he does). Common signs of burning include hard crying, red and or swollen skin, blisters, and peeling skin. Steps to take are:

1. Move the baby away from the heat
2. Run the burnt part under cold water for a minimum of ten minutes.
3. Remove the clothing around the burnt part unless it has clung to the skin.
4. Wrap the part with cling film to prevent infection.
5. Seek medical attention if it is a severe burn or scald.

WHEN THE BABY HAS A FEBRILE SEIZURE

Babies are not developed well enough to control their temperatures properly. A seizure usually comes after a fever, or when they are in a very hot place.

The best way to deal with a febrile seizure is to cool the baby down. Remove their clothes and open the windows or a fan. Also, don’t throw them in a basin of cold water or use cold towels on them. It could shock them.

WHEN THE BABY SWALLOWS SOMETHING POISONOUS

Sometimes a baby left unattended in a sandpit or anywhere for that matter, may swallow something inedible. Most people rush to make the baby vomit, but this only causes more damage, especially when the substance is corrosive. The only thing to do is to rush them to the hospital as fast as you can and have the doctors deal with it.