Baby First Aid: Save Your Little One
There is no way to tell when accidents happen. It is one incident everybody dreads. It can be prevented but cannot be totally avoided. Accidents do happen everywhere at anytime, even within the comforts of your own home. Every household, particularly those with babies and small children should have a first aid kit ready. Also, learning first aid basics to your nannies, caregiver or baby sitter is a must, but unfortunately, not commonly practiced.
Mother & Baby Magazine did a survey on baby/child safety at home and it turned out that nine parents out of the ten who were interviewed lacked the essential first aid skills. And mind you, they have babies at home! Baby first aid is truly important. Learning the basics and teaching your nannies or baby sitters is a wise move that could save your baby's life.
Any parent or parents with a baby at home or anyone taking care of babies must really comprehend the importance of baby first aid. Do not forget that accidents do happen anywhere, anytime. The very first few minutes are the most critical. Even though you can dial for help or drive to the nearest emergency room, still the first few seconds are for you to save a life. However, this is not at all possible with the absence of baby first aid basics. Even the basic steps can help and can save your baby's life. Even with the not-so-serious injuries, appropriate and prompt application of first aid makes a difference.
The most common accident happening at home among babies is choking. Anyone who is dealing with a choking baby and is not equipped with any knowledge of baby first aid, natural reaction is panicky. In any situation, whatever it may be, panic yields nothing but more damage. Therefore, it is best to remain calm in whatever desperate and critical circumstances you are in. It helps to acquire the learning steps of baby first aid.
Baby accidents at home vary such as babies easily choke on food, toys and coins; get caught up in curtain cords or drawstrings; or slip under the tub. In horrible situations such as these, it is befitting to know what to do, especially if you think your baby stops breathing. Baby first aid and the application of CPR are one of the basics in saving your baby's life.
Baby first aid steps in dealing with a choking baby start in assessing the situation quickly. If you found your baby unable to cough or cry, then something is lodging his or her airway. You have to help whatever it is that is blocking the airway. He or she may create odd noises while opening the mouth, or you cannot hear any sound at all. Also, do not panic when you see your baby's skin changing color to blue or red.
However, if your baby produces gagging sounds or is coughing, then his or her airway is only partially blocked. Let him or her cough, as this is the best way to dislodge the object. If the object is not thrown out, call your emergency number and do chest thrusts and back blows while waiting for medical help to arrive. Meanwhile, if you detect that your baby's airway is really closed as indicated by a swollen throat, immediately call 911. Your baby can be allergic to something he or she has eaten.
On the other hand, CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a lifesaving measure at times when movement or breathing is undetected. This first aid procedure applied chest compressions to keep blood circulation in the hope of resuming breaths and of course, life. Also, maintaining proper blood circulation prevents possible brain damage. CPR is an integral part of baby first aid. That is why it is important to learn the proper way to administer the lifesaving CPR. First and foremost is to check your baby's condition, then help him or her open his or her airway by giving in two gentle breaths before applying 30 chest compressions.
For more detailed information on how to apply CPR, you can enroll in short term courses on baby first aid, read relevant books or do online researches.
