Once they’re able to crawl and take those first few steps, even babies can pick up a few bumps and bruises along the way. More often than not, they won’t do any serious harm to themselves, but as a parent, it’s always reassuring to at least have a basic understanding of first aid for babies.

Now, we know that some of this information can be quite difficult to hear, and we don’t by any means want to scare you. What we do want is for you to have all the information you could possibly need at your disposal, should anything happen.

So, let’s begin with what you’ll need. Every family household should have a first-aid kit that’s kept fully stocked. It’s also a good idea to keep a small one in the car or in a handbag or backpack, just in case of any incidents outdoors. But what exactly should it contain?

What should a first-aid kit contain?

Plasters/band-aids
Bandages
Sterile dressings
Cotton wool
Small scissors and tweezers
Antiseptic ointment (such as Savlon)
Infant fever medicine (such as Calpol)
A thermometer (preferably digital)
Adhesive tape (to hold bandages in place)

Remember to replenish any used supplies.

Now, with this equipment ready, you should be able to take care of your baby should they get into any minor incidents. But what should you do if something a little more serious should occur? We’ve covered a few basic first aid responses that you hopefully won’t ever have to use but are imperative to know.

What do I do if my baby is bleeding?

If it’s a small cut or scratch, wash it with some warm soapy water, dab it dry, and then place a plaster over it. For a deeper cut, put some pressure on the wound and keep the injured area raised so that any blood drains back into the body and not out of the cut. Place a sterile dressing over the wound before wrapping it in a bandage. Then get the help of a medical professional. If there is something in the wound or cut—such as a small fragment of glass—that can easily be removed, do so. Otherwise, have a doctor do it.

What do I do if my baby bangs their head?

All babies bump their heads at some point or another, and they’re almost always fine. If they get a little bumpy, place a cold compress or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel against the affected area. Bumps on a baby’s head can look rather dramatic, but this is normal. Speak to a doctor if you’re concerned.

However, if your baby bumps their head and loses consciousness, call an ambulance immediately, and even if they momentarily lose consciousness but seem fine afterwards, you must still take them to see a doctor. Now, if they bang their heads and there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, monitor them closely over the next few days. Call a doctor immediately if they show any of the following signs: vomiting, drowsiness, looking pale, or sleeping so deeply that it’s difficult to wake them.

What do I do if my baby is choking?

If a baby is choking, they will make noises that indicate something is stuck in their throat, and their face will go blue. If either appears to be the case, lie your baby face down along your arm or across your knee and give them five sharp slaps in the middle of their back. Check between slaps to see if the obstruction has cleared.

If the passage isn’t cleared and they continue to choke, place them face upwards but horizontally on your arm or across your knee, and use one finger to check for obvious obstructions in their mouth. If you can’t feel anything, place two fingers at the lower half of their breastbone and press down sharply five times. Check their mouth once again to see if you can remove the obstruction with your finger, and if not, call an ambulance immediately. While you wait, repeat these steps.

What do I do if my baby receives a burn?

If your baby gets burned, remove any clothing that covers the burn as fast as possible and run the sore spot under cold water for 10 minutes, even if your baby doesn’t like it. Give them some infant painkillers as soon as you can. Once the 10 minutes are over, wrap the burn in cling film. Don’t put any cream on the burn.

All baby burns must be seen by a doctor, so book an appointment for your baby. Should you feel that it’s more serious and that they need to be seen immediately, call an ambulance or get them to A&E (accident and emergency).

What do I do if my baby seems to have broken a bone?

If you think your baby’s neck or spine may be hurt, do not move them, and call an ambulance right away. If you’re not sure what’s broken but fear moving them might cause more damage, call an ambulance anyway. If anything else appears broken, such as an arm or leg, and you can move them without causing any more damage, very gently pick them up, put them in the car, and take them to A&E. Support the broken bone with blankets or a pillow, and don’t let it hang or flop around.

What do I do if my baby has something stuck in their nose or ear?

This is really quite common among babies who are exploring their surroundings and trying to understand different objects. If you can do so easily, remove the item. If not, take them to A&E immediately, where a doctor can remove the object safely. Do not touch it, as you might only push it in further.

What do I do if my baby gets an electric shock?

If your baby has received an electric shock, turn off the current at the mains supply. Do this before touching your baby; otherwise, you’ll also receive a shock and won’t be in a position to help them. Stand on something like a large book or wooden table, and remove the source of the shock with a broom. Begin any necessary resuscitation and call an ambulance.

What do I do if my baby gets something in their eye?

If your baby has something in their eye, wash it out with water and try to keep them from rubbing at it. If a harmful liquid gets in their eye, lie them down and pour clean, lukewarm water into their eye for several minutes to flush out the substance. Your baby won’t like this, but it is important. It’s vital that the water isn’t too hot; eyes are very sensitive. If you don’t feel it’s helped sufficiently, take your baby to see a doctor.

What do I do if my baby swallows something they shouldn’t?

If your baby swallows something hard or sharp that causes them to choke, call an ambulance and use the steps we covered earlier while you wait. If they have swallowed something that you suspect might be poisonous and they seem ill, call an ambulance. Do not try to make them vomit. Even if they seem fine, we recommend calling a doctor and seeking the advice of a medical professional; sometimes the symptoms present themselves later. If you can, bring the substance to the hospital for the doctors to examine. Mercury (or button) batteries are potentially very harmful to children and babies if swallowed, as are iron tablets, which look like smarties.

How do I do basic baby first aid?

From Unii’s Baby Health Journey, we share how to do basic baby first aid.