Childcare Family Health

6 things you can learn from a baby and child first aid course

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Written by Tim Barnes-Clay

Here are six vital skills you can learn from attending a baby and child first aid course at the British Red Cross.

Taking a baby and child first aid class is very beneficial for parents. You might not only save your own child, but also someone else’s. Remember that these type of first aid courses differ from adult first aid courses mainly due to the difference in body size between older and younger people.

Below we have highlighted six skills you will learn when attending a British Red Cross baby and child first aid course:

How to recognise a child’s severe allergic reaction

Having a little rash or some redness are more often than not, nothing to worry about. However, severe allergic reaction can happen, and can be fatal if you do not act fast. You will learn how to recognise symptoms of a severe allergic, such as looking for swelling of the hands and face, or examine breathing. The course will teach you what are the steps to take if you notice such allergic signs in your baby or child. You will also learn what the common causes of allergic reactions are, such as certain food items or stings and bites.

What to do if your baby or child is choking

The British Red Cross has two separate classes for choking. One is dedicated to babies, the other one for children. This is due to the fact that both category of ages require different ways of handling with the chocking. In the class, you will be giving dummies and exercises to practise. You will learn manipulations used to saved you child’s or baby’s life.

Treating your baby or child’s broken bone

It is not always easy to recognise a broken bone in infants. Breaking a limb might not be directly fatal, but acting fast might prevent extensive damages. In the first aid classes you will learn how to support the injury with cushions or other items of clothing. You will be taught how to prevent your child from making any unnecessary movement among other safety steps.

Treating an unresponsive baby who is not breathing

This might be the scariest scenario for most parents. First aid courses will, however, help you manage your panic and be quickly effective. Your will learn through various movements how to check for your child’s breathing and give rescue breaths.

How to deal with an asthma attack

There are many reason for your child to be having an asthma attack. It can look very scary if this is the first time happening for your kid. First aid classes help you deal with this particular situation, such as helping your child to sit in a certain position to help them breathe better.

What to do if your baby or child is bleeding heavily

Once your baby start crawling, an accident can happen very fast. The classes will show you how to apply pressure on an important open wound and treat a severe bleeding.

Visit the British Red Cross’s website for more information about first aid classes and certificates.