Infant First Aid Basics
What every parent should know for common emergencies
Be Prepared Before an Emergency
Emergencies do not give you time to learn what to do. Take an infant CPR and first aid course before the baby arrives or in the first weeks after birth. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit accessible but out of the baby's reach. Post emergency numbers on the refrigerator Control at 800-222-1222, your pediatrician, and the nearest emergency room. Having these numbers visible saves precious seconds when you need them most.
Choking, Infant Under 1 Year
If a baby is choking and cannot cough, cry, or breathe, act immediately. Hold the baby face-down on your forearm with their head lower than their chest. Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand. Turn the baby face-up on your forearm and give 5 chest thrusts using two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line. Repeat this cycle until the object comes out or the baby becomes unconscious. If the baby becomes unconscious, start CPR and call 911.
Falls and Head Injuries
Falls are the most common injury in infancy. After a fall from a surface like a bed or changing table, pick the baby up and comfort them. If they stop crying within a minute or two and are acting normally, they are likely fine. Call your provider if the baby loses consciousness, even briefly, vomits more than once, has a seizure, is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, or has fluid or blood coming from the nose or ears. Trust your gut. If you are worried, call.
Fever Guidelines
For a baby under 3 months, any temperature over 100.4 F requires an immediate call to the provider. For a baby 3 to 6 months, a fever over 101 F that lasts more than a day warrants a call. For a baby over 6 months, a fever over 102 F that does not respond to medication or lasts more than 3 days needs attention. In newborns, fever can be the only sign of a serious infection. Do not wait to see if it goes away.
Poisoning
If you suspect the baby has ingested something toxic, call Poison Control immediately at 800-222-1222. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to. Keep the poison's container nearby so you can identify the substance. If the baby is unconscious, having seizures, or having trouble breathing, call 911 first.