Infant First Aid

Every nanny needs to know how to care for the children in her care when they get hurt - may it be a bug bite or a bruse. Here are some essential tips for treating minor incidents.

• Scrapes and Cuts If the wound doesn't appear to need stitches and isn't bleeding heavily, wash it out with gentle soap and apply an over the counter antibiotic such as Neosporin to it with a Band Aid. If you notice any signs of infection you must see your doctor.
• Minor Burns To treat burns immediately, run cool water over the affected area. To protect the skin, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly and cover with a Band Aid. If blisters appear, leave them alone to heal by themselves. Draining blisters may lead to infection.  
• Bug Bites Most insect bites and stings look like firm red bumps. Care for a bee sting by gently scraping out the stinger with a sterile pin or tweezers. Put a cold compress on the area to relieve pain. (Note that many kids are allergic to bee stings. If rapid swelling or wheezing occurs, get medical help immediately.) To treat mosquito bites, clean the bite and pat it dry. Then apply over the counter itch relief cream such as Benadryl ointment. Try to keep your child from scratching the affected area by applying a band aid or piece of clothing if possible.
• Sunburn When outdoors, infants and toddlers should always be protected from the sun with a hat. Infants over 6 months of age can use 30 SPF sunscreen. If your child still gets a sunburn, you can sooth it with a gentle aloe-vera cream. If vomiting or a fever occurs, please see you doctor immediately as the burn could be severe.
• Bruises Bruises occur in all toddlers here and there and there are some simple things to soothe then. Apply an ice compress to the area to help numb the pain and reduce swelling. If your child seems tired, disoriented, or vomits after bumping his head, seek medical care to check for a concussion.
• Motion Sickness It's best not to give babies and toddlers medication for nausea -- doctors say it can make stomach upset worse. Simply let your child rest and call your pediatrician if symptoms worsen or don't subside within a few hours.