1. Remove the Poison and Call for Help
The first step in any case of infant poisoning is to remove the baby from the toxin immediately. Take it out of his hands, pull him away from the area containing the poison and wipe his mouth and face clean of any substance that may be on him. If some poison is still in his mouth, try to get him to spit it out. Do NOT induce vomiting. He may have taken something acidic, which will cause more damage if he spits it back up.
If you know what the poison is, take note. If you don't, keep a sample of it so that the doctors can identify it. Call 911 or a poison center immediately and follow their instructions on what to do. Do this even if your infant doesn't seem to be sick. Some symptoms take time to appear, and fast action is always recommended in cases of poisoning.
2. Know Your Child's Height and Weight
If medication is needed, the doctor needs to know how big your baby is to prescribe the right dose. Otherwise, he runs the risk of an overdose. Know this information and be ready to give it to a poison control center when you call. Make sure other people like grandparents and babysitters know it, too. Your baby will grow rapidly, so keep checking periodically.
3. Get the Baby to Fresh Air and Make Sure She Can Breathe
If the infant has inhaled poisonous fumes, you must get her out into fresh air as soon as you can. Make sure her mouth and nose are clear and that she is breathing. If she isn't, perform CPR and have someone else call for an ambulance. If you have to call for help yourself, first perform CPR for 1 minute, then call for help, then continue to perform CPR until assistance arrives.
Carbon monoxide is a particular concern for infants, because they are affected by it sooner than adults and can't always express the distress they're in. Watch carefully for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and place a detector in your home to help prevent it.
4. Wash the Poison Off the Skin
If the toxin is burning the baby's skin, rinse him off with lukewarm water. Continue rinsing for at least 15 minutes, and have someone call a doctor or poison center in the interim. Remove the baby's clothes as well; the poison may be on them and cause further damage, even after you have cleaned him off.
5. Rinse the Poison Out of the Eyes
If poison is in the baby's eyes, pour lukewarm water gently over them for at least 15 minutes. Aim for the inside corner of the eye, nearest her nose, and make sure the water is flushing the toxin out. Hold the baby firmly as you do so, because she might squirm. If another adult is in the area, he can help keep the baby immobile. Call a doctor or a poison center when you are done, even if the baby seems to be fine.
