First Aid on Kiddies

I can only tell you what worked with my children. I would tell them that what I was going to do would probably hurt but I knew they were brave enough to sit still so that I could make them better. I would talk to them while I was doing it and explain how their body heals and why it's important to keep wounds and scratches clean. I doubt they understood very much but they probably found the sound of my voice comforting. I would encourage them and tell them it'll only be a few more seconds, they're being very brave and I'm so pleased with them. I'd draw a happy face on the bandage so they could see it when they looked down. Then a kiss and a big hug and some praise. All kids have different temperaments and I had two just the opposite of each other. But this seemed to work on both of them. Compliment them, let them know you're confident in their ability to sit still and cooperate, educate them and reward them with love.

I know it's very difficult....have you tried making a game of it? I used to do that with my son who was always getting a boo boo of one kind or another...if I could keep him distracted that worked much better and faster.

Not sure how old he is. If he is old enough, give him a job related to his own care. "Here, hold the tape for me. Cut off this much gauze." Before you remove the dressing, put on an ice pack for about five minutes, this will help numb it. Always keep a red wash rag or handkerchief for cleaning up blood. It camouflages the blood and kids are less bothered. On your son's current cut maybe you could get him to blow on it while you treat it. It may not help the feeling, but it will preoccupy him and give him something else to concentrate on. Or you could have him hold a magnifying glass and look in it at what you are doing. It might distract him some to see it really close up.

Kids don't recognize logic, because they are governed by their emotions. You will have to remain calm, and ease his fears before you can administer first aid. Sometimes its helpful to distract them with a treat like ice cream.

It is definitely very difficult but you can try to ease his fear and tell him that he is a brave boy and it will hurt a little but then the pain will go away and he will get all better. Also, when you are going to clean the wound, you can give hime something as a treat that he likes such as a candy or toy to distract him...

Kids are kids. You may talk to your child until he keeps still. Tell him that you need to do it or else it might get into bigger problem. Tell him that it wont hurt him. The child may not understand you, but it sometimes help. You could also give your child whatever things that could make him keep still like giving him his favorites.