Baby First Aid Basics: What Skills Should New Parents Learn?

Whether you’re a new parent or have one on the way, figuring out what you need to buy and learn can feel overwhelming. From mastering swaddles to decoding cries, it feels like there’s always something new to figure out. But one skill that often gets overlooked is baby first aid - until a moment of panic strikes. Whether it’s a fever that spikes in the middle of the night or an unexpected fall, knowing what to do (and having the right supplies on hand) can make a huge difference.

Charlotte Young, paediatic ICU nurse and first aid educator from & Breathe First Aid, shares her key first aid skills and items every parent should have.  

First Aid Skills for New Parents – What You Need to Know

You don’t need to memorise a medical textbook but knowing a few vital first aid skills could save your baby’s life or prevent smalls things from escalating. Here are the key things every parent should know.

1. Infant CPR

If your baby stops breathing, knowing how to perform CPR can be life-saving. Infant CPR involves a combination of chest compressions and breaths. It’s different from the adult technique and gIving effective breaths is much more important for babies. Even if you never need it (and we hope you don’t), learning how to to CPR will help you stay calm in an emergency and act confidently while waiting for help.

2. Choking First Aid

Choking is one of the most common emergencies in babies and toddlers. In fact 1 in 3 new eaters have a choking event (thankfully most of these are mild. Young babies can also choke. Milk and mucus sometimes gets into their airways, when that happens they may need your help to get it out. Every parent should know how to recognise both mild and serious signs of choking and the right action to take, because sometimes back blows isn’t the right thing to do.

3. Recognising Signs of Serious Illness

Would you know how to tell the difference between a common cold and something more serious? Little ones can get seriously sick quickly so spotting early signs means you can get your baby the help they need rights when its needed A really easy way to learn signs of serious illness is to look at their alertness levels, their work of breathing and for any changes in their colour - you can learn the exact signs to look out for in this free guide.

4. What to Do After a Bump on the Head

Falls are the number one reason little ones are hospitalised for an injury. If your baby falls off the sofa or rolls off the bed, it’s scary but not always serious. Still, you should know what signs to watch for:

- Loss of consciousness

- Vomiting more than once

- Unusual behaviour or high-pitched crying

- A bloggy lump that feels like a banana or avocado that’s very ripe

Another important thing to know is young babies who have a fall always need to be seen by a doctor as they are more likely to have an injury even after a low fall. A baby-specific first aid course is one of the best ways to prepare for those unexpected moments. At & Breathe First Aid, we offer comprehensive in-person and online courses perfect for parents who want to feel confident handling emergencies and sickness at home with their little ones.