Common baby emergencies

Some of the most common baby emergencies are below:

Burns and scalds

Burns and scalds are one of the most common first aid accidents amongst children in the UK. Burns and scalds can be caused by contact with hot appliances, such as a hot iron, contact with very hot water, either in a bath tub or from a kettle or hot drink, contact with a cigarette or lighter or as a result of a fire.

If your baby has a burn or scald, you should run the affected area of the body under cold running water; do not do this for more than ten minutes as the child will get too cold. If your child’s clothes are stuck to the burned skin, do not try to remove them as this will make the situation worse and it will be very painful for the child; wait for medical staff to cut away the clothing. Cover the burn with a clean pillowcase or cloth; take care not to place something that is fluffy or sticky over the wound as this may get stuck to the wound. Covering the wound will help to reduce the risk of infection. Do not put any balm, oil or ointment on the burn; it must be cleaned thoroughly first. If your child has a minor burn, take them to your GP; if your child has a severe burn, take them to your local Accident and Emergency unit.

If your child’s wound starts to blister, try to encourage them to leave the wound alone; in time the skin will heal and the blisters will pop by themselves.

Cuts and grazes

Cuts and grazes are very common and every child will have one at some point during their early years. Most cuts and grazes heal very quickly without any treatment; however, some more severe cuts may require stitches or glue to stop the bleeding. If your child has a very deep cut and there is a lot of bleeding, take them to your local Accident and Emergency department; they will probably need stitches.

If your child has a minor cut or graze, stem the bleeding using a clean cloth or tissue; apply pressure to the area until the bleeding stops (this may take up to 10 minutes) and then cover it with a sterile dressing. If you suspect that your child may have broken a bone, do not try to move their affected limb; take them to your local emergency department, where they will be sent for an X-ray.

Bruises

Bruises are usually caused by trips, falls and bangs; they can be painful at the time but they heal very quickly and require no further treatment. Bruises often look a lot worse than they feel; as they heal, you may notice they start to change colour and this can look a bit gruesome but don’t panic because this is a sign of healing. Applying ice to an injury and raising the affected limb can help to reduce internal bleeding (which causes bruising) but make sure you wrap the ice in a cloth to prevent damage to the skin.

Broken bones

If you think your child may have damaged their spine or neck, call 999 immediately and do not move your child; this may cause further injury. Wait for the paramedics to arrive and try to keep your child conscious by talking to them and reassuring them.

If your child has had a trip or fall and they appear to have bruising and swelling around a bone, they may have fractured it; do not try to move the affected limb as this may make the injury worse; if you are having trouble moving your child (for example, if they have broken their leg) you should call an ambulance. If your child has broken a bone in their arm you may be able to take them to hospital yourself; try to support the arm by placing one hand above the injury and one below and reassure your child. If your child is in pain, you can give them over the counter pain relief; tell the doctor or nurse that you have given your child painkillers when you get to the Accident and Emergency department so that they don’t give them anymore.

Poisoning

If you think your child has swallowed something that could potentially be dangerous call 999 and try to find the packaging so that you can tell the paramedics and doctors what your child has taken; if they have swallowed a tablet, take the bottle into hospital with you, for example. Wait for the paramedics to arrive and try to give them as much information as possible. Do not give your child water or try to make them vomit if they have taken a tablet. If they have swallowed something corrosive, like a cleaning agent or detergent, give them water or milk to sip and wait for the paramedics to arrive.

Fits and convulsions

Fits are quite common in young children; they are usually triggered by a very high temperature but they may also be caused by other factors. To control a high temperature, give your child over the counter pain relief; if this doesn’t work, arrange to see your GP and if they display other symptoms including a high-pitched scream and a rash seek emergency medical help, as these symptoms can be a sign of a more serious illness, such as meningitis.

If your child starts to fit, they may also go floppy, their eyes may start to roll back and they may go slightly blue; if this happens for more than 2-3 minutes, call 999 and follow these steps:

  • Try to stay as calm as possible and reassure your child
  • Place your child on their side to prevent them from choking; remove any object which may be obstructing their airway
  • Remove tight clothing

If this is your child’s first fit, tell the paramedic and doctors at the hospital and make sure your GP knows this.

Shock

Your child may go into shock if they have had an accident; they may become pale and start to feel generally unwell. If this is the case, try to encourage them to lie down and make sure they are warm, without being too hot. If they feel faint, encourage them to sit with their head between their legs; if they can’t sit independently, support them and help them to move into the right position; this will increase blood flow to the brain.

Electrocution

Electrocution is very rare but it is possible; you can reduce the risk of electrocution by covering plug sockets with plug covers. If your child has been electrocuted, try to roll them away from the power source and make sure you turn off the power as soon as possible. Try to rouse them by shaking them gently and talking to them; if they have lost consciousness, call 999 and prepare to give them CPR.

Caring for your newborn:

Mother, Baby and Beyond

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