Posted by Audrey Jenkins on February 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment
Knowing how to perform baby CPR – which is different from adult CPR – can save the life of your baby should an accident or mishap occur. As this baby CPR guide from Carrington College points out, babies and toddlers are often quick, sneaky, and do not always know the meaning of the word “no”, resulting in numerous deadly or near-deadly accidents every year. Thankfully, baby CPR is not too hard to learn and the following three points can help you in the case of an emergency.
3 Things Every Parent Should Know
- Practice
Learning baby CPR is a good start; however, studies show that people may forget their training in as little as three months. Practicing CPR on a baby doll every so often will help you remember this skill so that you will know what to do should an emergency arise.
- Always Start with CPR
If both parents (or one parent and another adult or older child) are at home, then one parent can administer CPR while someone else calls 9-1-1. However, a parent who is home alone with a baby is advised to start administering CPR and only call 9-1-1 after administering CPR for two minutes. The earlier CPR is administered, the more effective it is likely to be.
- Preventing Accidents
Thankfully, a lot of potentially fatal accidents can be prevented. Store cleaning supplies out of reach and keep medication jars tightly closed to avoid accidental poisonings. Never allow little children into the kitchen and remove sharp, breakable objects from their reach. Buy a gate if you have stairs in the home to prevent your child from having a nasty fall. Do not allow children to play in water unless you are supervising them; if the phone rings or someone comes to the door, take the child out of the pool or tub and bring them with you.
There are some dangers that you simply cannot foresee. A baby may stop breathing due to health conditions such as sleep apnea or apparent life threatening events (ALTE). You may be involved in a car accident even if you are a safe, cautious driver. However, taking steps to prevent injuries can drastically reduce the odds of your little one having a serious accident and learning baby CPR can save your child’s life even if an accident does occur.
