Last month I had the privilege of working with the wonderful Jillian from Little Lifelines CPR. Jillian is a local mompreneur in Calgary, her business, Little Lifelines, was created after recognizing there was a need to support parents and grandparents with basic children’s first aid. She shared with me these five important first aid tips and reminders for parents at a workshop she recently designed and hosted for my staff.
Children’s little bodies are quite resilient, but as a mom and a preschool owner, I know how important it is to know what to do when something not so good happens. Unless you’re wrapping your kids up in bubble wrap, accidents and unexpected events will occur. It is best to be prepared and know what to do so that you can take action and remain calm for your little one.
Take my own little guy as an example.
Three weeks ago we were sitting in an emergency room after he knocked back his entire top front teeth and had to reattach his gums! The picture above was after a week of eating from a syringe. Poor Stefano was playing tag, tripped and fell face first into a metal bench at recess. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN and it’s part of the risks children face growing up. Knowing what to do will only help you to stay calm and focused. That’s why first aid refreshers are so important for parents! FOR ME!
Jillian shared these five KEY First Aid reminders with our staff at Akidemy Preschool during our First Aid Refresher. Jillian graduated from Lethbridge College with an Honours Practical Nursing Diploma, she’s in good standing with the College of Licenced Practical Nurses of Alberta and is a Heart and Stroke Foundation certified CPR instructor. The information she shared below is researched based. Jillian also offers easy in-home workshops for parents in their homes.
So let’s jump right in and start with my latest scary mom moment, A knocked out a tooth!
Knocked out tooth
First Assess to ensure there is no head injury
Apply direct pressure to the socket with a dry dressing
Have the child sit leaning forward to promote drainage of mouth secretions
Secure tooth – Pick up by the crown (NOT THE ROOT!) place it n child’s own saliva, but not in their mouth
take the child to see a doctor or dentist
Cuts, bumps, and bruises
Bruises and bumps- asses for signs of a fracture, apply ice if swelling
Abrasion- clean with water and mild soap, apply an adhesive bandage
Laceration/Incision – Apply gauze and pressure. When bleeding is under control apply a pressure bandage. If dressing becomes soaked with blood, do not remove it, add layers of gauze on top, monitor distal circulation.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can range from mild to severe, the injury most likely to be seen in a concussion. A concussion is caused by the brain shaking inside the skull. It is basically a bruise on the brain. Immediate signs and symptoms of concussion include a loss of consciousness (this does not always occur), headache, blurred vision, confusion, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or balance problems. See a doctor immediately if you suspect a concussion or call 911 if the child becomes very drowsy or has an altered level of consciousness.
Nosebleeds
Check the blood from the nose – If there is a light yellow drainage with the blood after a fall, consider it a skull fracture, allow to drain and call 911.
If no indication of head, neck or spinal injury sit the child down and lean their head forward.
Hold pressure at the bridge of the nose for 10-15 minutes until the bleeding stops.
Do not place anything in the nostrils, do not allow the child to blow their nose
If after 15 minutes the bleeding has not stopped, the child should receive medical attention.
Severe Allergic Reactions
SINGS AND SYMPTOMS: Swelling of lips, face. hands, ears, weakness, dizziness, rash, nausea/vomiting, breathing difficulties, anxiety or agitation, respiratory or cardiac arrest.
Treatment: sit the child down, call 911 immediately
Administer Epi-Pen (if appropriate for the child)
Monitor airway, breathing, and circulation- treat for shock
comfort child until emergency services have arrived
Want to learn more? Like…what to do when a child chokes? How to administer Child CPR? etc…there is so much great info you can learn so GO follow Jillian on Instagram!
Special thanks to Jillian from Little Lifelines! If you are in the Calgary area and are looking for some parent first aid training, please contact Jillian at jillian@littlelifelinescpr.com or check out her website Little Lifelines CPR
till the next post,
moveplaymom