Situations that require calling 911 or going to the ER: difficulty breathing, unresponsiveness, seizures lasting over 5 minutes, severe bleeding, suspected poisoning, or a head injury with vomiting. Trust your gut. Parents who feel something is seriously wrong are usually right.
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation for infants and children differs from adult CPR. For babies, you use two fingers on the breastbone instead of full hands, and gentle rescue breaths covering both the nose and mouth. Every parent and caregiver should take an infant CPR class before the baby arrives.
The national Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Call if you suspect your child has swallowed something toxic, even if they seem fine. Don't induce vomiting unless they tell you to. Save this number in your phone right now.
After a head bump, watch for vomiting, unusual sleepiness, unequal pupils, loss of balance, or changes in behavior. In babies, look for a bulging soft spot, refusing to eat, or inconsolable crying. Any loss of consciousness, even briefly, means go to the ER.
A seizure triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature, most common in children between 6 months and 5 years. They look terrifying but are usually harmless and last less than 5 minutes. Don't restrain the child or put anything in their mouth. Call 911 if it lasts more than 5 minutes.