Daisy First Aid Barnsley, Castleford and Pontefract

Throwing a cover over the buggy when out and about with your baby might seem like an obvious way to keep them cool and protected from the sun on a hot summer day. ​​​​​​​​
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BUT did you know that covering your baby’s pram with a blanket on a hot day can significantly increase the temperature inside the pram, possibly to levels that could cause your baby to overheat.​​​​​​​​
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Babies and young children are more vulnerable to the heat than older children and adults. That’s because they sweat less, their ability to regulate body temperature is less efficient and they can’t tell you when they’re feeling too hot. This puts them at increased risk of heat-related illness, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.​​​​​​​​
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So, if you’re taking your baby out in a pushchair on a hot, sunny day:​​​​​​​​
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- Make sure your pram is covered – preferably with an in-built sunshade (if your pram has one) or a light, well-ventilated, attachable one. These will keep baby shaded while ensuring adequate airflow.​​​​​​​​
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- Dress baby in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.​​​​​​​​
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- Give your baby more fluids than usual, to keep hydrated - this might mean extra breast or bottle feeds. ​​​​​​​​
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- Avoid peak hours and stick to the shade as much as possible.​​​​​​​​
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- Check on little ones often, feeling their skin to ensure they’re cool.​​​​​​​​
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It is better for them to be covered by something light than to be in direct sunlight while it is hot but only for a very short period of time while you seek shade.​​​​​​​​
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TAG a new mum or dad who might find this useful.​​​​​​​​

#̭parentingtips

After the devastating news over the past few days. Here is some advice around water.

With warm weather forecast this weekend and into next week, more of us will enjoy spending time in, on, or around water, so it’s important to stay safe.

Almost half (47%) of UK accidental drownings happen between May and August, with higher risks during warmer weather.

Keep yourself and your family safe:
• Check for hazards, including depth, currents, tides, and hidden underwater objects.
• Stay together and swim in lifeguarded areas.

In an emergency:
• Call 999 immediately
• If you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back, and call for help

Take a few minutes to read our essential water safety advice:
👉 www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-advice

[Royal Life Saving Society UK RLSS UK]

New mothers who had high blood pressure during pregnancy could reduce their future risk of a heart attack or stroke by checking their blood pressure daily at home.

A BHF-funded study led by the University of Oxford found that daily blood pressure checks after giving birth, allowing doctors to regularly increase their blood pressure medication if necessary, helped women have less stiff arteries and better blood pressure control.

Around one in 10 women develop high blood pressure during pregnancy (known as a hypertensive pregnancy), which can happen even if you’ve never had high blood pressure before.

While blood pressure often returns to normal several weeks after giving birth, there’s evidence that, for some women, their arteries can remain stiffer for years.

This matters because people with stiffer arteries are more likely to develop high blood pressure again later in life, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

This study highlights a crucial window after birth, where keeping an eye on blood pressure could help protect women’s heart health long-term. Checking blood pressure at home also means medication can be adjusted more quickly if needed.

The usual medical care typically involves three blood pressure checks being provided to women in the eight weeks after giving birth.

Find out more: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2026/april/daily-blood-pressure-checks-following-birth-could-protect-women-after-common-pregnancy-issue

[BHF]

‘The red line was our warning sign.’

When 10-year-old Leo grazed his elbow in the playground, his mum Samantha Silver thought it was nothing serious. The school nurse cleaned it, she changed the plaster at home – and Leo seemed completely fine.

No fever. No chills. No obvious signs of infection.

But two days later, Samantha spotted something terrifying: a red line travelling from his elbow up towards his armpit.

Trusting her instincts, she ignored people telling her she was overreacting and rushed him to A&E – where doctors treated him immediately with IV antibiotics.

Now Samantha is sharing Leo’s story to warn other parents about the symptom she says could have easily been missed.

The red streak, known medically as lymphangitis, can be a sign an infection is spreading through the body and may lead to sepsis if left untreated.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4uI0Raf

⭐️ A dad who invented a bracelet providing first aiders with instant health information for his daughter with a rare condition.

📣 Available for the general public to buy soon.

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/norfolk-dad-invents-bracelet-with-instant-health-information-for-daughter-with-rare-condition/cj8sfdf

Parents and primary caregivers... You'll probably be familiar with the Red Book. We're carrying out some research to understand how you use it as part of looking after your child's health.

Do you have 10 minutes to help us out? Follow the link to complete our survey - thank you!

➡️ https://feedback.digital.nhs.uk/jfe/form/SV_5vGwvkdSffnJNAO

[Source: NHS]

Happy International Nurses’ Day.

Today, we’re celebrating the incredible contribution of nursing in the UK and across the world.

Thank you for all your support, dedication, hard work & compassion.

Today, we celebrate on Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Baby vaccinations have changed… here’s what you need to know.

Vaccines protect your baby from a range of serious illnesses, safely and effectively. They’ve been used for many years and are one of the best ways we can keep little ones protected.

There is no evidence of any link between vaccines and autism. This has been looked at in large, high-quality studies across the world.

The study from 1998 that raised concerns about the MMR vaccine was found to be seriously flawed and later withdrawn, and the doctor involved is no longer allowed to practise medicine.

Even so, it understandably caused worry at the time and led to lower vaccination rates in some places.
There have been a few updates to how and when babies are vaccinated:
• Chickenpox is now included in the routine schedule
• A new 18-month appointment has been added
• Some vaccines are given at slightly different ages than before
• The MMR vaccine is now MMRV (includes chickenpox too)

Your baby will be offered vaccines at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 18 months.

All designed to protect them as early as possible.
If you’re ever unsure or want to read more, it’s so important to use trusted sources like the NHS or WHO.
There’s a lot of misinformation online, and it can feel overwhelming. Your GP and health visitor will guide you every step of the way.