First Aid

First Aid for Babies and Toddlers - what every parent needs to know - by Erica Neser-Nieuwenhuis

If you are a first time mother, you will surely have bent over your sleeping baby to check if she is breathing. For a moment you may even have thought that she is NOT breathing, and then realise, a heart-stopping moment later, that she is, in fact, fine. This is perfectly normal. We all do it.

The question you now need to ask yourself, though, is whether you know what to do IF your child should really stop breathing, for whatever reason. If you have attended a first aid course in the past, do you still remember what to do? If you haven't attended one (or can't remember any of it), it is time that you attend a course, preferably one that focuses on first aid for babies and children. Every parent should be familiar with basic resuscitation: mouth-to-mouth breathing (artificial respiration) and chest compressions. These two techniques make up CPR – CARDIO (heart) PULMONARY (lungs) RESUSCITATION (bringing back to life). Every parent should also know what to do if a child chokes. This knowledge can save your child's life.

Emergency situations in and around the home:

· Drowning (pool, bath, bucket of water, fish pond etc.)

· Choking (foreign body airway obstruction)

· Cot death (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

· Burns (bath, fire, chemicals, hot tea, stove, kettle etc.)

· Poisoning (chemicals, medicines, plants etc.)

· Concussion (falling on the head)

· Febrile convulsions

· Bleeding and wounds

· Fractures

The absolute minimum you need:

· Know how to do CPR and help a child who is choking

· Know who to phone (084-124 or 082-911 for private ambulance, poison centre 0800 333 444)

· First aid kit

Remember that brain damage sets in after FOUR MINUTES without oxygen. You may only realise that your child is not breathing when he has already been without oxygen for 3 minutes – you DO NOT have time to get the child into the car and to a hospital in time, even if you stay close to a hospital. You have to know what to do, right there and then. If you know how to do CPR, you can buy time and save your child's life.

The objective of an Infant and Child CPR course is to learn how to:

· Save a life

· Prevent further injuries

· Alert the emergency services

· Provide emotional and physical support to the injured child

You will learn step by step what to do if your baby or child's breathing and/or heart should stop. This is the core of the course: the basic techniques of artificial respiration, chest compressions and how to deal with choking. Some instructors also offer some basic first aid as well, covering, among others, the emergencies listed above. It is impossible to cover these topics in a short article such as this – the purpose of this article is to make you aware of the importance of attending a course (and sending your nanny to attend as well), having your emergency numbers next to your phone, and having a proper first aid kit.

FIRST AID KITS

Every home should have a first aid kit. It is also advisable to have a basic kit in your car. Your kit should contain at least the following items:

· Gauze swabs

· Plasters

· Stretchy bandages

· Wound dressings

· Burnshield

· Antihistamine ointment

· Scissors (for cutting bandages and removing clothing)

· Antiseptic cream and liquid / wipes

· Gloves (especially in car kit)

· CPR mouthpiece (especially in car kit)

· Tweezers

COURSES AND KITS FOR PARENTS

Infant and Child CPR courses offered on a monthly basis in Afrikaans or English - Stellenbosch/Somerset West/Strand area. Courses can also be arranged in other areas. First aid kits: Family kits, standard kits, and baby kits are available at affordable prices. Contact erica@adept.co.za for more information on courses and kits.

See also the articles page on www.mumstheword.co.za for the article "First Aid for Toddlers" and download your free Poison Treatment Card to stick up in a prominent place!

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