Baby First Aid

When your baby is ill can be a trying and worrying time. Know your first aid to make sure your baby has the best care even before the doctor arrives  
By Gemma Gallagher

A recent survey found that 83% of parents would not remember what to do in a medical emergency. One of the best ways for new parents and grandparents to prepare for the unexpected is to take a baby and toddler first aid class. This will give you all the essential information you need to think quickly and stay calm in potentially frightening, and even life-threatening situations. Organisations such as St. John’s Ambulance Ireland (stjohn.ie) and the Order of Malta (orderofmaltaireland.org) run regular courses in paediatric and family first aid. In the meantime, here are just some of the basic skills you will need in an emergency.

Taking a temperature
If your baby is unwell or you suspect a fever, take his temperature with a thermometer every 2 or 3 hours until it returns to normal.  A temperature of 38ºC or above is a fever.  Do not put a thermometer in your baby’s mouth; instead hold it in the armpit.  This will give a reading that is about 0.6ºC less than true body temperature so this should be added to the reading.

Checking a pulse
Place the tips of your two forefingers on the inside of the upper arm.  Where an artery lies just below the skin, you can feel the pressure of the blood as the heart pumps it around the body.  Press lightly with your fingertips until you feel the pulse.  Count the beats per minute and try to tell if the pulse is weak or strong, regular or irregular.  A pulse that is abnormally fast or slow may be a sign of illness.  A baby’s pulse is about 140 beats per minute.

Recovery position
If your baby is unconscious but breathing, they must be put into the recovery position while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.  This position allows fluids or vomit to drain out of the child’s mouth so that they are not inhaled.  If you suspect a spinal injury you should only move him if the breathing is obstructed.  Cradle your baby securely in your arms, with his head tilted downwards.  Monitor vital signs such as pulse, breathing and response while you wait for the ambulance.

When to call the doctor
Normally mothers trust their gut instincts and call the doctor if they suspect something is wrong.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your GP:

• A fever higher than 38º
• Crying more than usual or cannot be calmed
• Trouble sleeping
• Unusual lethargy or drowsiness
• Rash
• Failure to feed
• Vomiting more than once during a 24-hour period
• Diarrhoea or blood in stools or urine
• Sunken or swollen fontanelles
• Wheezing or rapid breathing
• Persistent coughing

Resuscitating an unconscious baby

Airway and breathing: Lay the baby down on a flat surface.  Tilt the head back slightly with one hand.  Remove any obvious obstacle from the mouth.  With one finger of the other hand, gently lift the chin.  Check for signs of breathing, looking at the chest for movement, listening or feeling for breath on your cheek.

Rescue breaths: If there is no breathing, give rescue breaths at once.  Take a deep breath, seal your lips over the mouth and nose, and blow steadily into the lungs.  Watch the chest rise.  Remove your mouth and let the chest fall.  Give two of these breaths, taking a fresh breath yourself after each one.  Make five attempts if necessary.  Stop after five breaths and check the circulation.

Check circulation: Look, listen and feel for movement, breathing, coughing or normal colour.  If there are signs, continue rescue breaths and recheck circulation every minute until the ambulance arrives.  If there are no signs of circulation, begin CPR.

Chest Compressions: Put your index and middle fingers just below the line on the breastbone between the nipples.  Press down sharply with your fingertips to one-third of the depth of the chest and release the pressure but do not remove your fingers.  Do this five times in about three seconds.  Give one rescue breath, then repeat the cycle of five compressions to one breath until the baby moves or breaths, or the ambulance arrives.