Emergency Techniques for Your Baby

Soothing a Burn

If your baby gets a burn, chances are it will be minor. Run the burned skin under cold water. This cools it off and numbs the pain. Keep it up until the pain subsides -- for 10 minutes or longer if necessary. Then apply an antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin. If needed, you can put light gauze or a nonstick bandage on the burn to keep the ointment from rubbing off.

If your baby has any burns on her face, hands, or genital area, or if a burn is blistering, call the doctor. (Don't break the blisters -- they're protecting the damaged skin underneath.) If your child suffers a serious burn, and appears to be unconscious or going into shock, call 911 immediately.