Baby First Aid and Infant CPR
It's important to know how to administer First Aid and CPR, but many people are not trained to give a baby first aid. Giving an infant CPR would require the same amount of information and training as giving an adult CPR.
One of the most common first aid situations with babies is choking. When a baby is making odd noises or coughing, they may be choking. Other signs include turning bright red or blue. If you suspect the throat is swollen shut because of an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately. Coughing or gagging indicates a partially blocked airway. When this occurs, call 911 and begin first aid. If the baby is coughing, allow it to cough because this is the most effective way to dislodge the object.
Position the baby face down with your forearm supporting the head and neck. Rest your forearm on your thigh. With your free hand, deliver back blows until the object is dislodged, or the baby is coughing. Then, place your free hand on the back of the head and support the spine with your arm. Turn the baby over and rest forearm on the thigh keeping the baby's head lower than the rest of the body. Imagine a line running between the baby's nipples and place the pads of two or three fingers below it. Push straight down on its chest ½ inch to a 1 inch and allow it to return. Give five smooth chest thrusts and alternate between a sequence of chest thrusts and back blows until the object is dislodged, the baby is coughing, or help arrives.
If the baby loses consciousness, start administering modified CPR. Modified CPR consists of two rescue breaths and 30 chest compressions. Give two rescue breaths and tilt its head back to see if the chest rises. If not, give 30 chest compressions. Look in its mouth and see if you can remove the object. Continue the sequence of rescue breath and chest compressions until the dislodged object is free or help arrives.
Infant CPR is used when the baby is not moving or breathing. First, check to see if the baby responds to your call or a tap on the shoulder. If not, gently place it on its back on a firm surface. Open the airway by tilting the head up with one hand. With the other, lift its chin. Check to make sure it's not bleeding anywhere. Cover its nose and mouth with your mouth and exhale into its lungs until you see its chest rise. These rescue breathes should not last more than a second each. Don't exhale too hard. Babies' lungs are smaller and don't require as much air or force. If you exhale too hard, the baby's lungs or stomach may be damaged. Give 30 smooth chest compressions and alternate between rescue breaths and chest compressions.
Baby first aid can also help stop severe bleeding. Lay the baby down with its feet elevated about six inches. This helps reduce the risk of shock and increases blood flow to the brain. If you can, elevate the body part that is bleeding. With a sterile bandage, apply firm pressure to the wound. If there aren't any, wash your hands and use the palm of your hand. Maintain steady pressure on the wound. If blood soaks through the bandages, do not remove them. Instead, add more to the area. To keep pressure on the area, tie a bandage or use plastic wrap. Don't tie it too tight because this will stop circulation, which causes more problems. Do not use a tourniquet. Try to keep calm. The calmer you are, the calmer the baby will be.
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