Basic First-Aid Tips Every Parent Should Know

You probably have a pretty good handle on the basics of cleaning common cuts and scrapes, putting a Band-Aid on, and finishing with a kiss of the booboo. Here are some other basic first aid tips every mom should know.

When to call 911
While not every emergency requires a trip to the emergency room or a call to 911, but it is important that parents learn when to make that call. If a child has gone unconscious for any period of time, isn’t breathing, has bleeding that won’t stop, or experiences a seizure, it is time to call 911. The bottom line is: If you're in doubt, make the call just to be safe.

Knocking a tooth out
I knocked two teeth out playing on the jungle gym with my son and found out how common knocking out a tooth is. Oral surgeon Justin Bonner, DDS, says seeking help as soon as possible is key. “There are a few things to know: the earlier the tooth can be replaced, the better chances it has for survival,” he told Mom.com. “If you are uncomfortable with replacing the tooth in the socket, place it in milk. Then, get to the dentist as fast as you can. They will most likely splint the tooth to stabilize it and follow it for normal healing.”

Treating a burn
Many of our grandmothers have interesting remedies for various burns. You may hear things like vinegar for a sunburn or butter if a child touched the stove. Remember that your child is not being cooked and these treatments only sink into the burn and may lead to infection. Rinse a burn with cool, fresh water until the burning sensation stops. Apply an antibiotic ointment and dress the area with a loose bandage.

Stopping a bloody nose
My son got the kind of bloody noses that went on for 30 minutes and resembled a Rocky movie. Pinch the nostrils and have them lean forward so they won’t choke on the blood. Use napkins or a clean cloth to apply pressure. Ice will also help constrict blood vessels to help slow bleeding.

Knocking down a fever
Fevers can lead to complications such as dehydration or seizures. Talk to your doctor at regular visits to confirm the dosage you can use of over-the-counter medications such as children’s ibuprofen and acetaminophen. If a fever is stubborn, you can use both the ibuprofen and the acetaminophen, as they are not the same drug. Cool compresses will help, and an ice bath for really high fevers is sometimes necessary.

Evaluating head injuries
Kids seem to have a magnet that draws their heads to the corners of coffee tables. First, make sure your child has not lost consciousness and is coherent. Ask them simple questions like their name, the pet’s name, and their birthday. Seek immediate attention, if they have lost consciousness. Otherwise, clean the wound (if any) or apply ice to the bump on the head. Take your child to the doctor to review concussion protocol if she has a headache, becomes nauseated, vomits, or appears dazed.

Dealing with drowning
Swimming is fun but must always be watched for drowning with a keen eye. “Parents talk to other parents, forget to watch the water, and boom their kid is trapped under the floatation device,” Los Angeles mom Jamie Lee Lardner — who has performed three pool rescues since becoming a mom — told Mom.com. Once you have a child out of the pool, check for consciousness and breathing. Perform CPR if the child is not breathing. Call 911 if the child was unconscious at all.

Also, make sure you know the signs of secondary drowning, also known as “dry drowning.”

Helping with stings and bites
Watch any stings or bites for an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the tongue, or difficulty breathing. Use something like a credit card to sweep against the skin to get the stinger out; using fingernails or tweezers is likely to squeeze more venom in. Apply ice for pain and find a popsicle to distract the child from the incident.

Choking on anything
Choking is something almost every parent will deal with at some point, even if it is just the moment of concern before your child clears their own throat. When a child is choking with airways blocked, they turn blue, are unable to cry or speak, due to the lack of oxygen. Five back blows between the shoulder blades with the soft part of your palm often do the trick. If that doesn’t work, the Heimlich maneuver performed just above the belly button is the next step.

Keep a major first-aid kit at home and a smaller travel kit in the car. Make sure to check the kit annually to restock and make sure medications aren’t expired.

Here are the basics to keep in a mommy first-aid kit:

• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Absorbent compress dressings
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic wipes
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (children’s)
• Cloth tape
• Emergency blanket
• Cold compress
• Hydrocortisone ointment
• Sterile gauze
• Tweezers

While you can find great information to learn the basics about first aid online, there is little that compares with taking a class and working through real-life scenarios. Check with the American Red Cross or American Heart Association for classes near you.