Many know how to perform first aid on older children and adults. But you need to know specialised first aid when dealing with an infant’s emergency. Babies are more delicate and feel pain more acutely. There are many instances where providing first aid to infants increases the chances of their survival and lowers the risk of chronic pain.
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Types of first aid for infants
1. What to do when your baby is choking and when they have allergies
A baby or child can choke because they swallowed an obtrusive object or ate something they’re allergic to, giving them an anaphylactic shock. Allergies can cause rashes, itchiness, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Stings, bites, and exposure to materials like latex can also cause allergies.
Read also: 10 First Aid Tips for An Allergic Reaction
If you know the baby’s allergies, have emergency medication nearby. There are specialised infant injections for infant allergy treatment. If the sting is still embedded in the skin, remove it gently with a card or fingernail. Apply something cold to the area to reduce swelling.
When the baby has swallowed a grape or nut, and they’re coughing, watch to see if the object comes out. If it doesn’t, and the baby still has trouble breathing, call for emergency services, then place the baby face down on your forearm. Keep your forearm on your thigh. Support the baby’s chin in your hand and ensure the baby’s torso are higher than the head and neck. Use the heel of your free hand to give five blows between the shoulder blades.
If the object isn’t coughed out, turn the baby on its back while resting on your forearm. Ensure the torso is higher than the neck and head and resting on your palm.
Seal your mouth over their mouth and nose, then breathe into the baby to top oxygen levels. Push two fingers firmly into their chest and begin compressions.
Push until the chest goes inward, then release and breathe into the baby’s mouth and nose. Breathe for 2-3 seconds until you’ve done 30 chest compressions. Repeat until the baby coughs the object out and starts breathing independently.
If the object still won’t dislodge, open the baby’s mouth. When you see the object, use the pinky finger to lift out the object. Don’t fish for the object if you can’t see it. Keep giving rescue breaths, chest compressions, and shoulder blows until it comes out.
2. What to do when a baby has burns
Babies skin is more sensitive to burns than adults’ skin. Administering first aid for a baby’s burns depends on whether they have first-degree burns (redness), second-degree (blistering), or third-degree (charred skin).
When a first-degree burn occurs, remove the baby from immediate danger, then put the affected area under running cold water. Unless the baby’s clothing is stuck to the skin, remove it.
Loosely cover the burnt area with clean, dry gauze. This reduces pain and prevents infection.
Do not apply ice or ointment to the area. Ice can irritate the skin, and ointment seals the heat. Items like toothpaste, powder, butter, and other home remedies cause infection.
For a second-degree burn, put the affected area under running cold water. If the baby is burnt in a large body area, wrap them in a clean sheet and cover them with a blanket to keep them warm.
Second-degree burns can cause fluid loss and breathing problems.
If the burn is caused by electricity, don’t put the baby under cold water. Cover it with a dry bandage.
For chemical burns, flush the affected area with cool water. Remove the clothes with the chemicals on them. Paint remover, bleach, and oven cleaner can cause chemical burns.
Rush the baby to the hospital or call for an ambulance to ensure the baby gets full medical treatment.
Read also: Health: First Aid And Home Remedies For A Burn
3. First aid for suspected poisoning
If the baby has taken medicine, bleach, or pesticides, don’t give them laxatives or activated charcoal. If they’re vomiting, turn them on their side to prevent choking.
Giving them something to drink can also break down the poison, making it easier to absorb it into their body.
Note the poison ingested and how much, then rush the baby to the hospital or call for an ambulance. The doctors will need to know what the baby took. Try to keep the baby still until they get to the hospital.
4. What to do when a baby has a fracture
If a baby has broken a bone, support the injury with soft items to relieve pain and prevent further injury. The best first aid is to place the support above and below the injury.
Don’t try to replace a dislocated bone yourself. Support the injury, then take the child to the hospital or call for an ambulance.
Avoid making the baby move to confirm if they have a broken bone. This can cause further injury. A fracture can only be confirmed with an X-ray.
5. First aid for heavy bleeding for a baby
If a baby suffers a deep cut that keeps bleeding, the best first aid is applying pressure on the cut to stop blood flow and encourage clotting.
When the cloth becomes saturated with blood, change for another one until you get the baby to the hospital or an ambulance arrives.
If the object that caused the cut is still embedded in the wound, don’t remove it. Removing it could lead to further blood loss. Apply pressure around the object.
Only wash minor cuts. Don’t run water over deep cuts. This could lead to more blood loss.
If the child is becoming cold or going into shock, continue applying pressure until help arrives or you get to the hospital. Lie them down and lift their legs higher than their body. Wrap them in a soft blanket to keep them warm.
Emergency numbers to call in Kenya are:
- National Police Service: 999/112
- Hospital 020-2222181/ 020-2222182/020-234459
- Police Headquarters 0726035455
- Kenya Red Cross Emergency Hotline 1199
- St John Ambulance 0721 225 285/ 020-2210000
You can also receive further first aid training from St John Ambulance and Red Cross Kenya.
Check out:
Nine Things You Need To Include In Your First Aid Kit
7 Basic First Aid Tips You Should Know
Accidents: anybody can be a first aider
