The first aid skills EVERY parent needs to know – from choking to fits to burns and baby CPR
Three in four parents lack the first aid skills to save their toddler from choking, figures reveal
IT'S terrifying, and a moment every parent prays never happens to them.
Something gets lodged in your baby's throat, they stop breathing and quickly start turning blue... what do you do?
If that questions leaves you feeling anxious, with a sense of panic rising, rest assured you're not alone.
Three in four parents lack the first aid skills to save their toddler from choking, figures published by the Red Cross reveal.
Yet it's one of the leading causes of infant death, killing 24 children every year.
Joe Mulligan, head of first aid at British Red Cross, said: "Babies can be very curious and love to explore their surroundings by putting things in their mouths, especially when they're teething.
"No parent wants to be in the situation where their baby is choking and they don't know what to do, but helping is easy when you know how."
He said if every parent in the UK knew just a few simple first aid skills, they could deal with the everyday injuries and illnesses their little ones may face.
Here, we reveal the key first aid skills every parent needs to know to cope with four terrifying situations...
SCENARIO #1: YOUR BABY IS CHOKING
Babies explore the world around them by putting things in their mouths.
This means they're at high risk of choking.
When your baby is really young even curdled milk can pose a threat.
But as they grow up and start to move around, everyday items like sweets, grapes and nuts can prove common hazards.
The first thing to note is a baby who's choking won't be able to cry, cough or make any noise, as they struggle to breathe.
What should you do?
Step 1. Give your baby five back blows
Hold your baby face down, resting them along your thigh with their head lower than their bottom.
Hit them firmly on their back between the shoulder blades up to five times.
If back blows don't dislodge the object, move on to step two.
Step 2. Give up to five chest thrusts
Turn your baby over so they are facing upwards and place two fingers in the middle of their chest just below the nipples.
Push sharply downwards up to five times.
Step 3. Call 999 if the object does not dislodge
Continue with cycles of back blows and chest thrusts until the blockage clears or help arrives.
SCENARIO #2: YOUR BABY IS UNCONSCIOUS
Finding your baby unresponsive is terrifying for any parent.
But should you ever be faced with the horrific scenario, it's important to remain calm and feel confident in your actions, Joe told The Sun Online.
If your baby doesn't respond or move when you call their name or tap their foot, take action.
What should you do?
Step 1. Check for breathing
Tilt your baby's head back and look and feel for breaths.
If they're not breathing move on to step two.
Step 2. Tell someone to dial 999
If you're on your own carry out rescue breaths, and chest compressions described below for one minute, then dial 999.
Step 3. Give five rescue breaths
Tilt your baby's head back, seal your mouth over their mouth and nose and blow steadily.
Repeat five times.
Step 4. Give 30 chest compressions
Push firmly in the middle of your baby's chest with two fingers and then release.
Maintain a regular rate of around two compressions per second.
Repeat 30 times.
Step 5. Give two rescue breaths
Then continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until help arrives.
SCENARIO #3: YOUR BABY IS HAVING A FIT
It is more common than you might realise for a baby to suffer a seizure or fit.
They can be caused by a fever or high temperature.
A baby or toddler may twitch, arch their back, stiffen their body or have clenched fists, all are signs of a febrile fit.
They can also look red-faced, be hot to touch and be sweating.
What should you do?
Step 1. Protect your baby from injury
Don't restrain your child.
Instead use a blanket or clothing to protect their head from banging against something, causing injury.
Step 2. Cool them down
Remove their clothes, to help lower their body temperature.
If the room they're in is hot, open a window or door to get a flow of fresh air through the room.
Step 3. Wait and watch
When the seizure is over, help your baby rest on their side with their head tilted slight back to ensure their airways are open.
If their symptoms continue or it's your child's first fit, call a doctor and get medical advice.
More health Q&As
SCENARIO #4: YOUR BABY SUFFERS A BURN
As your little one grows up and starts to move around it can be impossible to keep an eye on them at all times.
Burns and scalds are more likely to happen, as young kids aren't always aware what's safe to touch or not.
Mugs of tea or coffee can easily end up tipped over a child, causing nasty burns.
What should you do?
Step 1. Cool the burn
Run the injured part of your baby or infant under cold running water for at least 10 minutes.
Cooling the burn will reduce the pain and also lower the risk of scarring.
Step 2. Cling it
Once the burn has cooled down, cover it with cling film.
This helps to prevent infection and keeps the skin clean.
Step 3. Dial 999
If necessary, dial 999.
Whether it's serious enough for an ambulance or not, it's always important to get a burn checked out by a doctor.