No matter how careful parents are, accidents can happen. As infants become more mobile, it is easier for them to acquire scrapes, bumps and bruises, even if they are being closely watched. A Canadian analysis designed to identify and develop infant injury prevention initiatives, which was led by Dr. William Pickett and published in the journal "Pediatrics" in April, 2003, cites accidental falls as the leading type of infant injury reported. Infant wounds can be a scary experience for parents, but injuries are manageable with knowledge of proper infant wound care.
Evaluating the Wound
Parents are able to best attend to an infant's wound if they remain calm, and are confident in their abilities to handle the situation. Any wounds obtained should be examined to determine whether treatment is actually needed, as certain scrapes and bruises may not need any nurturing, and will heal in a matter of days. If the wound needs to be treated, it is a matter of knowing whether the injury is something that can easily be attended to or may require the assistance of a medical professional.
Wound Treatment
According to FamilyDoctor.org, a website from the American Academy of Family Physicians, any bleeding should attempt to be stopped by pressing a clean cloth, tissue or gauze against the cut. If bleeding continues beyond a few minutes and the amount of blood seems excessive, consult a physician. Also seek medical attention if the wound is deep, if you can't get the edges to stay together or if the wound has jagged edges.
Cleaning Wounds
Cuts should be cleaned with soap and water to rid them of any bacteria. Antibiotic creams are recommended once the cut has been cleaned and patted dry. Parenting.com advises using an antibiotic cream that contains bacitracin, which can lead to quicker healing. An antibiotic cream should be reapplied a few times each day to keep cuts clean of infection and minimize any possible scarring.
Bandaging the Wound
Leaving a wound uncovered allows the irritated area to breathe and begin the healing process. Certain minor scrapes will not require an adhesive bandage, if they are shallow and do not bleed profusely. According to FamilyDoctor.org, don't use a adhesive bandage if the wound isn't in an area that will be rubbed by clothing or that may get dirty. Areas that might get dirty, be irritated by clothing or possibly picked at by a baby will need some sort of adhesive strip. The adhesive bandage should cover the wound and leave no scraped-up skin exposed. The bandage should be changed every day.
Additional Treatment Advice
After the cut is treated, infants should be monitored closely for the next few days as treatment continues. FamilyDoctor.org warns against the use of powerful cleaning solutions like hydrogen peroxide, explaining they can irritate the wound and cause the infant more pain. Consult a doctor or a nurse advisory line for additional guidance. All babies end up with their share of boo-boos, bumps and bruises, and providing basic treatment and care can help make them as a good as new.
