EVERY good childhood is full of falls, bumps and bruises.
And as a parent, having a bit of first aid skill can really put your mind at rest.
Putting a bag of frozen peas directly on babies’ skin is bad idea, warns the expert
Covering the frozen item in a barrier – such as a towel – stops it from being too cold
A former paramedic has warned parents why putting a bag of frozen peas directly on babies’ skin to ease a bump, bruise or burn is a bad idea.
Nikki Jurcutz, founder of Tiny Hearts Education, said freezer items can cause damage and even frostbite on “delicate” baby skin in a video posted to Instagram.
Instead, Nikki suggested covering the frozen item in a barrier – such as a towel – which has a soft exterior and won’t get too cold.
She also reminds parents not to use cold therapy for too long.
The video received more than 262,000 views and dozens of comments from thankful parents one of whom said their own child was left with burns from cold therapy.
“When my son went into [hospital] at 8 weeks old they (medics) put ice directly onto his face, he had burns for weeks,” the user explained.
Another user said: “I can’t remember ever learning about this!”
How to use cold therapy on children
A blow to the head may result in the baby or child having pain or a headache. There may be a bump on their head and they may look pale
Apply something cold to the injury: for example, frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel
Do not apply cold press for longer than 20 mins
Call 999 if they become drowsy, repeatedly vomit or their condition gets worse
Source: Red Cross