Top 5 Baby First Aid Scenarios and How to Handle Them

1. Choking

One of the most frightening emergencies—but one you can be prepared for.

👶 What it looks like:

• Baby suddenly silent, unable to cough or cry

• Lips may turn blue or pale

• Struggling to breathe, panicked expression

✅ What to do:

1. Call for help (000 in Australia)

2. Give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades

3. If not cleared, give 5 chest thrusts using two fingers on the centre of the chest

4. Repeat 5:5 until the object is cleared or baby becomes unresponsive

5. If baby becomes unconscious, begin baby CPR

💡 Prevention tip: Always supervise during meals, avoid high-risk foods, and know the difference between choking and gagging.

2. Falls and Head Bumps

Babies roll before you think they can. Falls from beds or change tables are incredibly common.

👶 What to look for:

• Crying immediately (a good sign)

• Vomiting, sleepiness, or confusion

• A bump, bruise, or swelling on the head

✅ What to do:

1. Stay calm and comfort baby

2. Apply a cold compress for any swelling

3. Watch for signs of concussion or more serious injury (vomiting more than once, drowsiness, abnormal behaviour)

4. Call your GP or nurse line for advice, or go to emergency if symptoms worsen

💡 If baby falls and is under 6 months, or fell from a significant height, always seek medical advice.

3. Fevers and Febrile Seizures

Fevers themselves are not dangerous—but how they rise quickly can sometimes trigger a seizure.

👶 What is a febrile seizure?

• A sudden convulsion in response to a rapid rise in temperature

• Baby may stiffen, shake, roll their eyes, or lose consciousness briefly

✅ What to do:

1. Stay calm and time the seizure (most last under 5 minutes)

2. Place baby on their side on a soft surface

3. Don’t restrain them or put anything in their mouth

4. Once the seizure ends, seek urgent medical advice

💡 Call emergency services if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, baby has trouble breathing, or it’s their first seizure.

4. Burns and Scalds

Coffee cups, bathwater, and kitchen accidents are the top causes of baby burns.

✅ What to do immediately:

1. Remove clothing from the burned area (unless stuck)

2. Hold the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes

3. Cover loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy cloth

4. Call your doctor or go to emergency, especially for burns on the face, hands, or over joints

💡 Never apply creams, butter, or ice to a burn.

5. CPR for Unresponsive Baby

Rare, but life-saving to know.

👶 When is CPR needed?

• Baby is not breathing normally

• Baby is unconscious or unresponsive

✅ How to give baby CPR:

1. Place baby on a firm, flat surface

2. Open the airway and check for breathing

3. If not breathing, give 5 rescue breaths

4. Then do 30 chest compressions, followed by 2 breaths

5. Continue 30:2 until help arrives or baby starts breathing

💡 Learn CPR with an expert in a baby-specific course—it’s different to adult CPR.

You Don’t Need to Google in a Crisis

The worst time to learn baby first aid is during an emergency. That’s why we created The Nest’s online baby safety courses—clear, flexible, and made for busy parents just like you.

🎥 Watch expert videos
📲 Access on your phone
👶 Learn at your own pace
💛 Feel confident, not panicked