I never thought I wouldn’t take a CPR and first aid refresher course in person before starting solids with my son, but with Covid in-person wasn’t happening. I’m a big fan of the Baby-Led Weaning Made Easy podcast and founder Katie Ferraro highly recommended the Thrive Training Institute’s online courses. And what a great recommendation it is!
Their courses are broken down into short videos and followed by short “quizzes” to make sure you’re retaining the information. While I still wish I had a doll and an expert in person to watch me as I practice CPR and handling a choking situation, as far as online courses go, I couldn’t think of a more effective one. Plus, I love that I can go back to the course anytime I’m in need of a refresher and I can have my husband, parents and any caretakers watch it as well.
“Studies have shown that early bystander-initiated resuscitation of a child can make a difference in the outcome of many scary situations,” says pediatrician Dr. Jay Lovenheim founder of Lovenheim Pediatrics in West Orange, NJ. “It is a good idea for parents expecting a child to take a basic CPR class that covers both newborns and infants, but also toddlers and young children. Knowing CPR can be particularly important in situations where a young baby may stop breathing. I recommend familiarizing yourself with what to do if your baby is choking at least by the time they begin to consume finger foods. Parents should review basic CPR and choking instructions every 6-12 months to keep them fresh in their minds.”
He goes on to underline that one thing he always stresses to parents is to try not to panic. “Although that may be something easier said than done, a panicked parent is not thinking clearly, and emergency situations are best managed in a calm, organized manner. One of the most common mistakes that people make when performing CPR is to try and perform it on the wrong surface,” says Dr. Lovenheim. “It is important to move the patient to a firm surface, like the floor, to make your chest compressions more effective. Often a child will appear to be choking on food, but if the child is able to cry or talk, then they are not choking and it’s best to let them clear the issue naturally.”
