First aid tips for new parents.

This guest blog is from supermum Kate who is mum of six (including two sets of twins) and founder of the amazing Mini First Aid. 

When we get ready for baby to arrive, we often focus on the softer side; the nursery, the change bag, the pram, the first outfit. Why not? Having a baby is an exciting time.  We then start to think about the birth, how we want things to go and how we plan to feed our baby.
 
It is hard not to feel nervous as a new parent.  Everything is unknown. At Mini First Aid we cannot give you all the magic answers about getting your baby to sleep through the night, but we can help you to think about practically equipping yourself for baby, and to think about First Aid. It’s amazing that so many parents do not have the basic first aid knowledge to help save a child’s life. 
 
Here are our my top tips:
 

• Attend a baby first aid class. Knowing what to do in an emergency could literally save a life. 
• Ask the adults (grandparents and carers) who will be spending time with your baby to also attend a first aid class and don’t forget siblings can attend First Aid classes designed for children.
• Make sure you have a first aid kit in your change bag or under your pram and another located at home in the room you spend most of your time in.  Make sure that everyone knows where the first aid kit is kept and replenish supplies regularly.
• Find out which neighbours are at home at particular times of day, so that if you ever need emergency help, you know who you can call on.
• Make sure you know where your nearest Paediatric A & E is located (not all hospitals have one).

 
For many parents weaning their babies, the possibility of them choking is really scary. 
 
Firstly, we show our babies and children that grown-ups eat sitting down, chew properly (!) and that we never put too much in our mouths. Babies mimic so we need to be role models. Never leave a baby or child eating without supervision. Silence is the sign of choking. Make sure you know how to deal with a choking baby.

Book yourself a place on a baby first aid class to gain the practical experience too. Head over to Mini First Aid to have a look at the courses on offer.