First Aid Tips for New Dads: Be the Calm in the Chaos
June 16, 2025
Whether your bub is still cooking away or that little bundle of joy has already arrived, it’s common for many new dads to feel overwhelmed and unsure about the future.
What happens if the baby is sick? Or somehow becomes injured? Would you know what to do in the case of an emergency?
Infant CPR and first aid courses are a great way for dads to regain a sense of control. They equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to respond in an emergency.
For more than 20 years, the Emergcare team has been providing paediatric first aid and infant CPR courses to dads from all walks of life. Whether you book with your partner or get a group of dads together, we have courses to match. Get in touch today.
If your baby is experiencing any serious signs of distress, illness, or injury, dial 000 now.
Why Dads Should Know First Aid
Many infant emergencies may call for first aid, even when dealing with a baby that doesn’t do much more than sleep, eat, and poop. Bugs can be easily spread, and accidents happen. While some circumstances are unavoidable, knowing how to respond may make a real difference.
Choking
Choking is a very common hazard; even babies as young as two months old are known to put things in their mouths.
- You should never blindly sweep your fingers through their mouths; only remove visible blockages.
- Never perform the Heimlich manoeuvre on babies or young children, as this can cause serious damage to their internal organs.
If a baby under 1 year of age is choking, place them facedown over your knees or forearm. Deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades, checking between each back blow to see if the obstruction has been dislodged.
If not, turn them over onto their back and deliver five chest thrusts to the sternum using two fingers. Again, check between each chest thrust to see if the blockage has been dislodged.
Alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until either the blockage is cleared or the ambulance arrives.
Infant CPR
There are many reasons why a baby may stop breathing, from choking or airway compression to medical conditions (such as whooping cough) or breath-holding spells. This can be very distressing, but it’s important to remain calm and call an ambulance.
Knowing how to perform infant CPR may help while you wait for paramedics.
Begin CPR
- Lay the baby on their back on a firm, flat surface.
- Place two fingers in the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line.
- Push down firmly to a depth of about one-third of the chest (around 4 cm).
- Perform compressions at a steady rate of 100 to 120 per minute.
Rescue breaths
- After every 30 compressions, give 2 gentle breaths.
- Cover the baby’s mouth and nose with your mouth.
- Blow gently. Just enough to see their chest rise.
Continue CPR, 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths, until the baby starts breathing or help arrives.
Burns
Burns or scalds are also not uncommon. Parents have been known to accidentally drop hot food or beverages onto a baby while holding them, and babies have also been known to pull hot pots off the stove if they’re able to reach them.
- Cool burns with cool (not ice cold) running water for at least 20 minutes.
- Do not apply creams or ice to the area.
- Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing (cling film will do in a pinch) and seek medical attention urgently.
Head Knocks
It’s quite common for babies to bump their heads, particularly as they start learning to move around (rolling, crawling, standing, and walking).
- A cold compress can be applied to the bump to help reduce swelling.
- Seek urgent medical attention if they are also vomiting repeatedly, seem overly drowsy, have unequal pupil sizes, lose consciousness, or have a seizure.
Fevers
Many new dads are concerned that fevers are dangerous. While this is a completely normal response to infection and some viruses, it’s important to be able to identify when a fever is more serious.
- A fever above 38°C in babies under 3 months old requires urgent medical attention.
- Do your best to keep them cool and hydrated.
- Use a baby-safe thermometer and monitor their behaviour. Take them to the hospital if you have concerns.
Group and Solo First Aid Courses for All New Parents
The best tip that we can offer new dads is to book yourself into a family first aid course. Whether you attend on your own or get a few friends together for a group course, you’ll walk away with a wealth of knowledge designed to help you keep your baby and young children safe.
Some of the topics covered in Emergcare’s courses include child and infant CPR training, burns, choking, drowning, allergic reactions, fractures, bleeding, fever, poisoning, bites and stings, asthma, croup, and more.
Book a spot today for your peace of mind.
