As a new parent, you should rightfully be basking in the glow of your new bundle of joy. However, you should also be aware that first-time parenthood comes with many responsibilities. One of the most important things you can do as a new parent is to learn some basic first aid skills so that you have the confidence and ability to deal with any eventuality.
Witnessing your child scold themselves or choke is distressing and frightening enough, but if you know what to do in those first few moments, you can make all the difference. Here are five first aid skills every new parent should have.
1. Dealing with a Burn
Burns are one of the most common first-aid injuries suffered by babies and young children, and as a parent, you should know how to deal with them. Remember, most children haven’t yet developed the reflex to move away from something hot, so they’re more susceptible to burns.
Worse, the damage of burns tends to affect babies and young children more as their skin is up to 15 times thinner than an adult’s and, due to their smaller size, a burn is likely to cover a much more significant proportion of their body.
With the knowledge and skills developed from first aid training, you can dramatically reduce the risk of infection, further damage, and scarring.
2. Choking First Aid
The good news is that only a couple of babies die each year as a result of choking. That said, it’s the third-highest cause of mortality for babies, so it’s definitely something all parents should know how to deal with should a choking situation occur.
If you’re wondering, babies and small infants can choke on anything small enough to fit through a toilet roll tube. This includes food such as grapes and popcorn; household items like coins, marbles, and buttons; and even toys with small parts.
3. Dealing With a Bleed
It’s not pleasant to think about, but you should also know how to deal with a bleed as a parent. Newborn babies, in particular, have less than a pint of blood in their bodies, so even losing a small amount can be dangerous.
Even with older children, grazed knees or more severe cuts can occur, so being able to stop the bleeding quickly and efficiently can make all the difference to the outcome.
4. CPR
Every parent’s worst nightmare is their child becoming unresponsive, but knowing how to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) could save their life.
While it’s unlikely you’ll ever have to use CPR on your child, the first few minutes after an accident or incident are vital, and being able to keep them alive until the paramedics arrive could make all the difference.
5. Treating Head Injuries
Head injuries become more common as babies become toddlers and begin exploring their surroundings. A fall from a bed or chair, a collision with a piece of furniture, or even just a tumble while learning to walk can all result in a bump to the head.
Most bumps and bruises are nothing to worry about and will clear up on their own. However, if your child is acting out of character or seems unusually tired and sleepy, it could be a sign of a more serious concussion or internal bleed, so it’s always worth learning about the signs and symptoms to look out for before seeking medical attention.
Learn Crucial First Aid Skills As a New Parent
If you’re based in the Liverpool or Wirral area and have recently welcomed your first child (or children) into the world, first aid training from TL Training can give you the skills and confidence to deal with any first aid emergency – big or small.
Our friendly and experienced first aid course instructors will walk you through the key tenets of paediatric first aid, including teaching you the skills required to deal with all of the scenarios mentioned above, and allow you to practise your newfound skills in a safe, controlled environment.
We offer various levels of paediatric first aid training, right up to the Highfield Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid. So whether you’re a new parent or someone looking to get qualified in paediatric first aid for professional reasons, we have a training course to suit you.
To learn more about choosing the right paediatric first aid course for you or booking your place, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
