MEDBASICS at MOMPREP!

This fall MEDBASICS has teamed up with
Rosie Pope Maternity & MOMPREP to offer parents & caregivers the MUST TAKE COURSE,
"Think Like an ER Doctor"

If you asked an Emergency Room doctor how they stay so calm, cool and collected during a medical emergency, what do you think they would say?

A. "I've spent my whole life preparing for this moment!"
B. "I'm not really a doctor but I play one on TV."
C. "I simply know the critical questions to ask and the necessary actions I should take."

Of course there is some truth in answer A and some entertainment value in answer B (love Grey's Anatomy- seriously? seriously.) but the correct answer is C which is fantastic news for parents and caregivers because these critical questions and actions that allow the ER docs to remain calm, cool and collected can be learned by you.

For the first time ever at MomPrep, MEDBASICS is providing the "Think Like an ER Doctor" course. Led by an Emergency Room Physician and Registered Nurse, you will learn the critical questions you need to ask and the necessary actions you should take to help your child in a variety of medical emergencies including, Anaphylaxis, Dangerous Rashes, Extremely High Fever, Head Injuries, Life-threatening Poisonings and more!

Find out exactly when you should call 9-1-1, when to call your Pediatrician and when monitoring your child at home is enough. Understand what ER doctors really want to know from parents and discover the insider's secrets to traversing the Emergency Room as painlessly as possible. Parents and caregivers should not miss this demystifying and empowering course.

Each participant will receive a MEDBASICS Critical Q&A (Questions & Actions) Pathway for each emergency discussed. We recommend taking this information wherever your child goes.

In New York City? Check out the MOMPREP Open House and Rosie Pope Maternity on the Upper East Side, November 3rd, 5:30-8:30!

The 20 Must Have Items for Your Baby's Emergency Care Kit

There are so many first aid kits on the market right now which is great but I look through them and mostly just see a lot of bandages! So as I'm building my first aid kit which by the way I'm now calling my (more appropriately named) Emergency Care Kit, I'm asking myself...

"What emergencies are most likely to occur and
what do I need to know and have on hand when they do?"

This kit is for your baby so personalize it. Provide emergency contact information, insurance, his/her medical history; blood type, list of medications and surgeries, immunizations etc. This information proves very useful if you're traveling and end up in an Emergency Department somewhere.

If your little one is taking prescription medication you will clearly need to save space in your pack for the medication, but also printed instructions and an emergency refill prescription (ask your doctor if this applies to your situation).

FEVER: What do you really need?
A reliable thermometer (and petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to lubricate the tip). The American Academy of Pediatrics say the days of glass mercury doo dads are gone. If you've not already done so, go buy a digital thermometer. As tempting as the forehead strips and ear thermometers are, please just buy a regular digital thermometer. A rectal temp provides the most accurate reading, particularly in infants under 1 year.
Your kit should include Infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen- give only if your baby is older than 6 months). Don't give aspirin as it can cause liver failure in children.

BLEEDING: Bring on the bandages! This list should cover everything from a big fall (think control bleeding on the way to the Emergency Department fall) to a skinned knee. In a true emergency if you don't have bandages, you can use a t-shirt, a blanket or your hands to hold pressure to the wound if necessary.
* Absorbent compress (2 5"x9" dressings)
* Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
* Roller bandages (2 rolls- a 3" and 4")
* Sterile gauze pads (5 3"x3" and 5 4"x4")
* Adhesive paper tape (1 roll, paper so you don't need scissors)
* Antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin)
* Instant cold compress

BURNS:
Sunblock. My favorite is Blue Lizard which is a physical blocking sunscreen which works better (and is safer) than chemical blocking sunscreens. Also, the bottle changes colors allowing you to know when harmful rays are present and it's time to reapply. Sun protection is a daily commitment- even in the winter.
You can use the bandages from above to cover a burn to reduce the chance of infection. Also, go ahead and give your baby the Tylenol because you know what? Burns hurt.

POISON:
Must have- poison control phone number 1-800-222-1222
A bottle of saline solution or water for rinsing eyes
(notice this kit does not include syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal)

A FEW NECESSARY EXTRAS:
Hydrocortisone is good for itchy rashes
Hand sanitizer, lotion and lip balm
Wipes and an extra diaper... trust me, at some point you will thank me for this. Have you ever been traveling and realized you just used your last diaper? Ummm... tell me that's not an emergency!
Sting pads (you can create a paste with baking soda and water that does the same thing)
Guide to infant emergencies- we all know what we do on a daily basis and my guess is you're not administering emergency care to your child very often so it's a good idea to include a "what to do" guide like baby MEDBASICS travel version to walk you through situations like choking and CPR
Something to keep your little one distracted- stickers, a little toy, pictures of family