What to Do When Your Child Gets Injured

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No parent wants to think about their child getting injured. Whether it’s something as small as a  paper cut or as big as a broken bone, seeing your child hurt can be heartbreaking. But, as a parent, you have a few responsibilities to attend to when your child experiences an injury. 

You can prepare for some things and get help over time like if your child is struggling with vision problems or you notice that they keep getting sick. You would take them to a doctor to learn more and fix the problem(s). But, sudden injuries caused by accidents are a different story.

So, what is your role when your child gets hurt? What can you do to help your child deal with the pain of an injury, while making sure they receive the care they need? 

Stay Calm

It might not seem easy to stay calm when you see your child get hurt. Your initial reaction actually might be fear or so much concern that it causes a bout of anxiety. Unfortunately, the more you freak out about the situation, the more likely it is for your child to do the same. 

One of the best things you can do if you see your child get hurt is to remain calm. Assess the situation and take your initial cues from your child. What can you see in their expressions? What was their initial reaction? 

If you stay calm as you approach them (and you should do so right away), they’re more likely to not make a big deal of the situation. Try to involve them as much as possible in the conversation, asking them how they feel and explaining what happened. This helps them to feel heard and makes them feel as though they have more control over the situation.

It’s important to validate your child’s fears. Their brain may be telling them that they’re in pain, and they should be fearful of that. Don’t disregard those feelings. Instead, acknowledge them, and provide them comfort by assuring them that you’re there, and they are safe. Staying calm with your child when they get injured will help them learn how to handle injuries on their own in the future and can actually boost their bravery and confidence.

Administer First Aid

No matter what your child’s injury is, after you assess it and keep the situation calm, you may need to administer first aid. Every injury is different, so it’s important to have several essentials in your first aid kit, including: 

• A first aid manual
• Adhesive bandages
• Non-latex gloves
• Tweezers
• Oral thermometer
• Instant cold compress
• Antiseptic wipes
• Gauze
• Antibiotic ointment
• Medications

Make sure you check your kit periodically and update it as necessary. It’s also important that you know how to use everything in the kit, as well as other common help/rescue techniques, including things like CPR or how to treat a burn right away. Having extensive knowledge of how to administer different types of first aid can make a big difference, and it can help to keep your child stable and reduce their pain before you can get them to a doctor. 

Be Prepared

Accidents and injuries can happen in an instant. You can’t keep your child in a bubble to protect them all of the time. But, preparedness is key. You should know what to do in a variety of situations, rather your child skins their knee while playing, or slams their fingers in a door. While you can’t predict every situation, having a general idea of what actions to take is always helpful. 

You should also be prepared by having emergency numbers on your phone. Make sure you have the police and your child’s doctor listed as contacts on your phone. You should be able to get to them easily. But, your child should also know how to access them in case of an emergency. Go over the basics of using your phone in an emergency with your little one, including:

• Accessing emergency contacts
• Helping them remember important numbers
• Showing them how to use emergency apps

Your child should also know what to do to stay safe no matter the situation. By educating them on protecting themselves, avoiding dangerous behaviors, and thinking before they act, you can have a bit more peace of mind knowing they may not be at such a high risk of getting hurt. 

While you may not want to think about your child getting injured, the old saying of

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