Infant First Aid & CPR
Taking care of an infant takes more than just feeding and changing them. Baby-proofing and knowing how to keep an infant safe is just as important. Infants are no more than 12 months old and are the susceptible to injury. Since they are still learning, there is bound to be difficulties along the way, and knowing how to respond to any critical situation may be the difference between good and bad health.
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CPR
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CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is the act of providing lifesaving assistance if someone is not breathing. CPR for infants is quite different from adults due to their smaller, weaker bodies. It is performed by gently tilting back the infant's head to open the airway and checking for signs of life for 10 seconds. If none are present, two breaths are given, followed by 30 chest compressions, using two fingers. This process is repeated for two minutes or until the infant responds. If it does not respond, call 911. Plenty of institutions provide CPR courses, including the Red Cross and the YMCA.
Choking
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When an infant is choking, he may be unable to show it, making it difficult to tell what the issue is. Signs of choking include the infant crying, choking or gagging, and skin discoloration. The most effective way to clear an air passage is to let the infant cough it out, but if that is not working, first aid will be required. The proper way to clear the air passage is to place the infant face down and to deliver back blows until the obstruction is removed.
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Bleeding
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Placing a cloth and applying firm pressure to any cuts will help stop most bleeding. If the bleeding slows but does not stop, replace the cloth with a clean one and continue to apply pressure. If the bleeding still does not stop, the infant needs to be taken to a hospital immediately.
Poisoning
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Babies are notorious for drinking liquids they should not be, such as cleaning products or other supplies kept under the sink. Feeding the infant as much water or milk as possible is necessary, as well as calling the poison control center or medical assistance. Unless directly told not to by a professional, attempt to make the infant vomit. Do not do this if the baby is unconscious or convulsing, or if the liquid swallowed was an acid or a petroleum.
Chemical Burns
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Chemical burns need to be treated with care due to the sensitive nature of the injury. When an infant burns himself, the affected area needs to be rinsed under water for at least five minutes. If a chemical gets into the infant's eyes, it is important to rinse gently and to keep the eyelids open as much as possible. Any contaminated clothing must be removed immediately.
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References
- Photo Credit baby image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
