Now that we are living the new normal, new and expecting parents have had to put on more hats than ever before, handling the roles of parent, teacher, nurse and cook, while juggling their careers on the side. Until that miraculous COVID-19 vaccine is developed, parents are being more cautious in keeping their families safe. Staying home as much as possible is just one way parents are helping to keep the virus at bay but doing so requires one skill that has moved from nice-to-know to essential knowledge – basic first aid skills.
Nothing excites a parent more than seeing their baby explore their environment. But this inquisitive time is also when those little ones are most likely to accidentally injure themselves by say, poking a hot surface or grabbing a sharp object you forgot to secure. Your first instinct as a new parent is to rush them to the doctor to check their vitals, but when you are trying to avoid crowded waiting rooms filled with already sick patients, and you can tell that scrape does not need emergency treatment, it’s best to deploy some basic first aid instead.
According to Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, from the Malaysian Paediatric Association, it is best for parents to maintain home cleanliness and focus on the importance of personal hygiene to minimize health concerns with infants and toddlers, he said, adding that it is best to avoid exposing children to unnecessary risks at this time.
Simple essentials such as antiseptics and alcohol swaps can prove to be a lifesaver during minor emergencies, allowing you to quickly clean wounds, disinfect surfaces and prevent infections. The same applies to common house cleaning and disinfecting methods, having the right tools by your side can easily help keep your home clean and safe, especially living in this new normal.
From KAO Malaysia’s 5th edition of The Secret to My Modern Parenthood guidebook, here’s how you can handle a few minor yet common emergencies:
Burns and scalds: Run cold water over the affected area for 20 minutes. If the burn area is large, stop water treatment after 20 minutes and keep your child warm. Drape a light, breathable dressing over the burn and seek immediate medical attention if the burn is serious.
Cuts and scrapes: Rinse the wound with cool running water for deeper cuts. Place a sterile bandage over the wound and apply gentle pressure, adding more layers if the original bandage is soaked up. Replace with a new, sterile bandage once the bleeding stops and seek immediate medical attention if bleeding continues or the injury is serious.
Bites and stings: Check for a skin reaction, carefully remove any insect parts from the wound. Rinse the area with gentle soap and running water and apply a cold compress to relieve swelling. Seek immediate medical attention if there’s an allergic reaction of face/mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness or fainting.
To help modern parents navigate the new normal of parenting, KAO Malaysia’s parenting guidebook provides information and advice on topics that range from sleep training, handling baby emergencies, and even budgeting for a new addition to the family. For more parenting essentials and to download the full digital copy of the guidebook, visit kao.com/my/my-modern-parenthood.
