It is essential that we are always ready for accidents that happen around our children, so here are 11 things that should be in your First Aid Kit for babies checklist.
What you can read in this article:
- 12 things that should be in your First Aid Kit For Babies Checklist
- What is CPR? How to do CPR for babies?
- What to do when your child is sick?
Part of being a parent is making lists. Whether it’s grocery lists, determining what should be in your hospital bag or packing for a family vacation, we need to make sure we have everything we need.
So why not make a first aid kit for babies checklist?
Don’t you hate it when your baby starts to have a fever and you realize that you don’t have her fever medicine at home? You need to run to the drugstore in the middle of the night just to make sure you can keep the fever down.
According to Wendy Proskin, MD, a pediatrician at Westmed Medical Group in Rye, New York, “A first aid kit is important to have at home so that, in case of an emergency, no one has to run out to the store and waste valuable time to get supplies.”
Having a first aid kit for the baby at home will help you attend to your child’s medical concerns right away, instead of going to the store to look for medicine.
It’s also better to have a separate first aid kit for the baby instead of just one for the whole family to minimize the risk of switching the baby’s medicine with yours.
12 things that should be in your First Aid Kit For Babies Checklist
So, what are the things that should be in your baby’s first aid kit?
According to Proskin, a newborn kit should include the following:
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thermometer
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nail clippers
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gauze pads or cotton balls
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saline drops
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a nasal aspirator
When your child passes the 6-month mark, you should update the contents of your kit and add the following items:
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acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fevers or pain
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oral diphenhydramine (Benedryl) or cetirizine dihydrochloride for allergic reactions
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bandages
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alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer
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antibiotic ointment
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gauze, tape, and scissors
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gloves
Most, if not all of the items in your first aid kit for babies checklist are available in your local drug store.
You may also include a heat and ice bag, calamine lotion, a list of phone numbers of your baby’s healthcare providers and emergency contacts, and a record of your baby’s medical history and any known allergies.
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CPR for babies
Aside from having the important supplies at home, it would also be helpful if you know how to respond and how to care for your baby when an emergency arises.
One of the lessons that could literally save your baby’s life is knowing how to do CPR.
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a combination of chest pumping (compressions) which moves blood from the heart to
the body, and mouth-to-mouth breathing which sends oxygen to the lungs.
Undergoing infant CPR training will help you become more prepared just in case an emergency arises and your child’s heart stops beating or he is having trouble breathing.
The Philippine Red Cross offers training for Basic Life Support Child and Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, which is very beneficial for parents and caregivers. While this is the best way to ensure you’re doing the CPR properly, here are some things you can follow when faced with an emergency with your child.
How to do Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
If a baby stops breathing, he or she is not getting the oxygen needed to stay alive. If breathing stops, the heart will also soon stop.
YOU MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY BY:
- Pumping the child’s heart with your hand (compressing).
- Breathing air into the child’s lungs (ventilating).
If you think the baby is not breathing:
- Check to see if the baby will respond to you. Tap the heel of the baby’s foot and call his or her name to see if he responds.
- If the baby does not respond, call out for someone to call 911 or use your cell phone to call 911 and put it on ‘Speakerphone’ while you start CPR.
- Turn the baby flat on his back on a hard surface.
- Look at the baby’s face and chest to see if the baby is breathing. Look for at least 5 seconds, but no more than 10 seconds.
- If the baby is not breathing, remove the clothes from his or her chest.
- Find the right position for chest compressions by drawing an imaginary line between the nipples to find the middle of the breastbone.
- Place 2 fingers just below that line on the breastbone and push down hard on the breastbone 1½ inches toward the backbone. Let the chest come back to its normal position after each compression. Compressions are done fast at a rate of 100 per minute.
- After you have compressed the chest 30 times, open the baby’s airway for mouth-to-mouth breathing using the head lift-chin lift method.
- Tip the head back with one hand on the forehead. Use the tips of the fingers of your other hand to lift the chin upward. Be careful not to close the baby’s mouth completely. Tilt the head just until the nose is aimed at the ceiling. Do not tilt the head too far back because this may close the baby’s airway).
- Give 2 breaths. To do this, place your mouth over both the baby’s mouth and nose to form an airtight seal. Breathe in only enough air to make the baby’s chest rise. Since the baby’s lungs are small, only small puffs of air are needed to fill them.
- Repeat 30 compressions and 2 breaths a total of 5 times.
- If you still have not called 911 because you are alone and did not have a cell phone, call 911 after 5 sets of compressions and breaths. Then, resume CPR until help arrives. If help is already on the way and the child is not moving or breathing, continue CPR.
What to do when your child is sick?
Image from Freepik
It’s heartbreaking to see your child in pain or feeling down when they are sick, whether it’s the flu, sore throat, or just a run-of-the-mill cold.
While you can’t make all the ouchies disappear and send their symptoms packing, you can definitely find a way to make them feel better while you’re nursing them back to good health.
Here are some tips you can try to help your child when they are sick:
Even when they’re not sick, young children need a lot of sleep — at least 10 hours a night for school-aged kids. Remind them that rest will help them feel better faster, and try letting them lie down while you read a book, listen to calming music, or play a quiet game together.
Breastfeeding also helps calm a sick and fussy baby.
When they are sick, kids have little interest in eating or drinking. However, you should still keep offering fluids for them to sip throughout the day.
Young children are more at risk of getting dehydrated when they’re sick than adults are. Aside from water, you can try electrolyte drinks, a warm soup, or popsicles — which can also soothe a child’s sore throat.
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Ease a stuffy nose safely.
Decongestants are not safe for kids ages 4 and below. To help them with their stuffy nose, try a saline nose spray or drops, which can help clear out nasal passages and keep them moist. For babies, a suction tool like a nasal bulb can also help draw out extra mucus.
You can also try putting a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room. The added moisture can loosen congestion and help them breathe easier.
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Find ways to entertain them – but keep it chill for now.
For some parents, screen time is out the window when the child is sick. But a little creativity might help keep your child more entertained — and distracted from their symptoms. Try playing “doctor” for sick dolls and stuffed animals or even taking a short walk around the village for some fresh air. Just make sure the child has enough energy and is dressed appropriately for the weather.
Image from Freepik
If you suspect your child may be sick, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician to discuss the symptoms over the phone and find out if they recommend bringing your child in to be examined.
Sources:
Raising children Org, Healthline, Nationwide children Org,
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