Your baby first-aid kit, and when to call for help
What to keep in a baby first-aid kit, the emergency information to have ready, and a clear guide to the signs that mean you should call for urgent help or seek advice.
By PreggieLover 4 min read
Pack it before you need it. That is the whole idea of a first-aid kit. At two in the morning, with a feverish baby, you do not want to be searching for a thermometer or trying to remember the number for the out-of-hours clinic. A small, well-stocked box and a clear plan give you a calmer start in any emergency.
What to keep in the kit
- A digital thermometer. For babies and young children, take the temperature under the armpit.
- Infant pain and fever medicine suitable for your baby's age, such as infant paracetamol. Always check the age and weight guidance on the pack, and ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure. Some are not suitable for very young babies.
- An oral syringe or measuring spoon for giving medicine accurately.
- Saline drops or spray for blocked noses.
- Plasters in different sizes, including ones for sensitive skin.
- Sterile gauze pads and non-stick dressings.
- A crepe bandage and medical tape.
- Small round-ended scissors and tweezers.
- Cling film, for covering burns after cooling them.
- Sterile cleansing wipes or saline for cleaning cuts.
- Disposable gloves.
- Nappy rash cream.
- Oral rehydration sachets, only if your doctor or pharmacist has advised them for your baby.
- A small torch.
Keep the kit in a sturdy box, high up and out of reach of children. Check it every few months, replacing anything used or past its expiry date. A smaller version for your changing bag is useful too.
Emergency information
Tape a card to the inside of the lid with:
- Emergency numbers: 999 and NHS 111 in the UK, 112 in Nigeria, or your own country's numbers
- Your doctor, clinic or health visitor's number, and the out-of-hours number
- The nearest hospital with a children's emergency department, and how you would get there at night
- Your baby's date of birth, latest weight, allergies and any medical conditions
Keep your baby's health record book, such as the red book in the UK or the clinic card in Nigeria, somewhere you can grab it quickly.
Call your local emergency number now if your baby
- Has stopped breathing, or has long pauses in their breathing
- Is struggling to breathe: grunting, flaring nostrils, or the skin sucking in under the ribs
- Has blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- Is floppy, unresponsive or very hard to wake
- Has a fit (seizure), even if it stops
- Has a rash that does not fade when you press a clear glass against it
- Has signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips or tongue with breathing difficulty
- Has swallowed a button battery, magnets or something poisonous
- Has a serious burn, a heavy fall or a head injury followed by vomiting, drowsiness or unusual behaviour
Get urgent medical advice the same day if your baby
- Is under three months old and has a temperature of 38°C or higher
- Is three to six months old and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
- Is feeding much less than usual, or not interested in feeding
- Has fewer wet nappies, a dry mouth or a sunken soft spot on the head
- Is vomiting repeatedly, or the vomit is green
- Has a bulging soft spot on the head
- Has a high-pitched, weak or unusual cry that will not settle
- Is unusually sleepy, irritable or just not themselves
Trust your instinct
You know your baby better than anyone. If something feels wrong, even if you cannot explain why, get help. Doctors and nurses would much rather see a baby who turns out to be fine than miss a baby who is seriously unwell. You will never be wasting their time.
Learn the basics
A baby first aid course, offered by organisations such as the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance and the Nigerian Red Cross, teaches you how to help a choking baby and how to give baby CPR. Consider doing one with your partner, a grandparent or anyone who often cares for your child.
A very present help
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). A very present help: not distant, not delayed, but right there in the room. When your hands shake as you dial, he is present. When you sit in the waiting room, he is present. Your first-aid kit is a wise preparation; his presence is the help that never runs out.
A prayer for the hard moments
Lord, you are my refuge and strength. In moments of fear, steady my hands and clear my mind. Guide me to the right help at the right time, and hold my baby close in your care. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in a baby first-aid kit?
A digital thermometer, infant pain and fever medicine suitable for your baby's age, an oral syringe, saline drops, plasters, sterile dressings, bandages, scissors, tweezers, cling film for burns and a card with emergency numbers.
When is a fever an emergency in a baby?
Get urgent medical advice if a baby under three months has a temperature of 38°C or higher, or a baby aged three to six months has 39°C or higher. Call your emergency number if your baby is floppy, struggling to breathe or has a rash that does not fade under a glass.
Should I take a baby first aid course?
Yes. A short course teaches you how to help a choking baby and how to give baby CPR, and it can give you confidence in an emergency.
This article is for general information and encouragement, not medical advice. Please talk to your doctor or midwife about your own health and your baby's.
