First aid for babies and children
9-minute read
In any emergency, such as a sudden severe illness or a serious injury, you need to get medical help. Call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. The triple zero (000) operator will help you provide first aid.
Key facts
- It's important to learn first aid for babies and children if you are a parent or carer, or if you work with children.
- Learn how to give first aid by attending a training course.
- First aid kits contain basic equipment needed to treat common injuries.
- If you care for children, make sure you know how to access a first aid kit quickly if needed.
What is first aid?
'First aid' means taking immediate action to help someone who:
The purpose of first aid for all age groups is to:
- save lives
- reduce pain
- prevent the problem from getting worse
- help the person recover
It's important for everyone to know some first aid. If you are a parent or carer, or if you work with children, it’s vital to know what to do when a child is in distress or in an emergency.
When might I need to use first aid?
No matter how hard you try to keep babies and children safe, accidents can still happen.
Accidents can happen anywhere, but most childhood injuries happen at home.
First aid can be useful in a range of situations. You might need to help a baby or child who:
- has a simple injury, such as a cut finger
- is having a seizure
- has a more serious problem such as a broken arm or a burn
- is in a life-threatening situation, such as a severe asthma attack or is unconscious
Asthma can be life threatening — if your child has trouble breathing, take them to the nearest hospital emergency department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
How do I administer basic life support to a baby or child?
If you need to give first aid to keep a child alive until medical help arrives, you need to know the basic life support steps.
A simple way to remember the order of the steps you need to take with first aid is the acronym DRSABCD, which stands for:
| Letter | Representing | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| D | Danger | Ensure that the child and other people in the area are safe. Do not put yourself or others at risk — remove the danger, or the child from the environment. |
| R | Responsiveness | Look for a response from the child/baby. Check for a response to a loud voice, tap their foot or squeeze their shoulders. Do not shake the child. |
| S | Send for help | If there is no response, phone triple zero (000) or ask another person to call. Do not leave the child. |
| A | Airway | Gently lift the child’s chin to a neutral position (with the head and neck in line, not tilted). Check in the mouth for any blockages (vomit, an object or loose teeth) and clear it out with your finger. |
| B | Breathing | Check if the child is breathing abnormally or not breathing at all after 10 seconds. If they are breathing normally, place them in the recovery position and stay with them. |
| C | CPR | If they are still not breathing normally, start CPR. Chest compressions are the most important part of CPR. Start chest compressions as soon as possible after calling for help. |
| D | Defibrillation | Apply a defibrillator if there is one available and follow the instructions. |
Find out about basic life support and resuscitation.
What are some common causes of injury in children?
Some of the most common causes of injuries in young children include:
- falls — such as tripping when running or falling from a bike or a bunk bed
- burns — caused by hot water, fire, or exposure to the sun
- poisoning — from touching, swallowing or breathing in harmful substances, such as medicines, glue or household chemicals
- drowning
Knowing how to give first aid, and having a first aid kit available, will help you be prepared for these types of situations.
It's also a good idea to have phone numbers handy, such as the numbers for:
- emergency services — call triple zero (000)
- poisons information — call 13 11 26
- your doctor
Where can I learn first aid?
You can learn how to do first aid by attending face-to-face training, or by doing an online course.
You should learn first aid from a registered training organisation. Some reputable organisations that run first aid courses include:
- Australian Red Cross, which offers a first aid course for babies and children and has a free app with first aid and CPR instructions
- St John Ambulance Australia, which offers a Caring For Kids course for parents, grandparents and carers
- Royal Life Saving Australia
- CareFlight
It is a good idea to refresh your CPR training every year and your first aid training every 3 years.
What is in a first aid kit?
First aid kits contain basic equipment needed to treat common injuries.
Basic first aid kits usually include:
- wound dressings — such as plastic strips, swabs, bandages, dressing pads and tape
- scissors and tweezers
- medicines — such as antiseptics, pain relievers, and bottles of saline eye wash solution
- safety equipment — such as disposable gloves for you to wear to prevent infection
- a thermal blanket
You can buy ready-made kits from organisations such as:
- St John Ambulance Australia
- the Australian Red Cross
- some pharmacies, service stations, and other retail stores
Once you have a kit, you can customise it to suit your needs. For example, if you have a baby, you might want to include a digital thermometer and pain relief medicine suitable for babies.
Make sure you keep your kit safe and dry and check it regularly to make sure the contents are in good condition and within the use-by date. Keep it out of children’s reach.
Resources and support
St John Ambulance Australia has downloadable fact sheets about first aid for babies and children. You can also call them on 1300 360 455.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.