1580-Cannock Chase web:6521-Cornwall 8/4/15 10:24 Page 1 A guide for parents and carers of children aged birth-5 years Breastfeeding Immunisations Oral health Smoking Worried, need Confused, unsure or Need advice about If you smoke - now is support and advice? need advice? teething, oral health the time to quit. Common or registering? childhood Speak to your Speak to your Speak to your Health Visitor or Health Visitor or Health Visitor or contact your local Practice Nurse Dentist illnesses & Call 0800 022 4332 Breastfeeding Support or visit Team www.smokefree.nhs.uk well-being There are many everyday illnesses or health concerns which parents and carers need advice and information on. This handbook has been produced by NHS Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group. www.cannockchaseccg.nhs.uk 01622 752160 www.sensecds.com Sense Interactive Ltd, Maidstone. © 2015 All Rights Reserved. Tel: 1580-Cannock Chase web:6521-Cornwall 8/4/15 10:24 Page 3 Welcome Contents This book has been put together by NHS Cannock Chase Clinical Who can help? Allergies 34 Commissioning Group with local Health Visitors, GPs and other healthcare A guide to services 4 Upset tummy 36 professionals. Know the basics 6 Constipation 38 Every parent or carer wants to know what to do when a child is ill - use this The first months Earache and tonsillitis 40 handbook to learn how to care for your child at home, when to call your GP and Crying and colic 8 Chickenpox and measles 42 when to contact the emergency services. Most issues your child will experience are part of growing up and are often helped by talking to your Midwife, Health Visitor Being sick 10 Urticaria or hives 44 or local Pharmacist. Almost all babies, toddlers and children will get common Sticky eyes and conjunctivitis 12 General welfare childhood illnesses like chickenpox, colds, sore throats and earache. Nappy rash, rashes and dry skin 14 Healthy lifestyles 46 Some of these are easily treated at home with advice from your Pharmacist, your GP Immunisations 16 Childhood obesity 48 or your Health Visitor rather than going to your surgery or A&E. Teething trouble 18 Bumps and bruises 50 This handbook will point you in the right direction and explain what you can do at Flat head syndrome 20 Burns and scalds 52 home, or where you need to go to get assistance and advice. Trust your instincts, Sleeping 22 you know your child better than anyone else. If you are worried, get further advice. Household accidents 54 Choking 56 This handbook also contains general welfare information which will help you keep Childhood illnesses you and your child safe and healthy. Fever 24 How to resuscitate a child 58 Meningitis 26 Sun safety 60 To view this booklet and extra topics online www.childrensguide.cannockchaseccg.nhs.uk To view this booklet Coughs, colds and flu 28 Domestic abuse 62 online scan this code Wheezing and breathing difficulties 30 All factual content has been sourced from Department of Health, Birth to Five, 2009 edition, NHS Choices, with your smartphone Useful contacts 64 British Association of Dermatologists, Meningitis Now, NICE. This information cannot replace specialist Asthma 32 care. If you are worried get further advice, you know your baby best. 3 1580-Cannock Chase web:6521-Cornwall 8/4/15 14:02 Page 5 A guide to services The NHS has a wide range of healthcare services. See which service or professional is best to help you. Self care Children’s Centres Many illnesses can be treated in your home by using Families can access a wide over the counter medicine from your Pharmacist and range of information in a getting plenty of rest. Self care is the best choice to Health Visitor friendly environment. Children’s Centres provide a treat very minor illnesses and injuries. If you are still Health Visitors are specialist worried contact NHS 111 or your GP. range of advice including A&E Nurses who can support you health promotion, advice on and your family during your Pharmacist GP Dentist safety and promote all aspects For immediate, child’s early years. They will of child health and well-being. life-threatening visit you at home or see you in Your local Pharmacists You will need to register with Make sure you see a emergencies, please 111 can provide advice on a GP - to find a GP in your Dentist on a regular Contact Staffordshire Families local clinics and Children’s Information Service (see page call 999. If you think you need help urgently most common health area, use NHS Choices at: basis. Discuss Centres to routinely assess 64 for details). A&E and 999 are during the day or night you should your child and family’s health issues. They can www.nhs.uk/service registering your child emergency services that call NHS 111 before you go to any and development needs. suggest and dispense directories. early on with your should only be used other health service. They can help you get extra medicine and other Your GP can offer advice, Dentist and take when babies and children By calling NHS 111 you will be directed straight to the support if you need it and can health products. There give medicines and provide them with you to Minor Injuries Unit are badly injured or show local service that can help you best. It is available 24 refer you to other services. are often Pharmacists in information on other appointments. (MIU) symptoms of critical hours a day, 365 days a year and is free to call, Health Visitors link with supermarkets and services. You will need to To find your nearest illness such as choking If your child's injury is not including from a mobile. You should call NHS 111: Midwives and will offer to see many are open late. make an appointment but Dentist visit or breathing difficulties, serious, you can get help from • when you need help fast but it’s not life threatening you antenatally. They will then Visit www.nhs.uk where most GPs will see a baby www.nhs.uk. when they are a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), • when you think you need to go to A&E or another continue to support you until you can find the service quite quickly if you are For out-of-hours unconscious or unaware rather than going to A&E. NHS urgent care service your child is almost 5. After this locator that will help you worried. After 6.30pm Dentist information of surroundings, have MIUs offer help with a range of • when it’s outside of your GP’s surgery hours you can get advice, information find the Pharmacist weekdays, at weekends call NHS 111. taken poison or tablets, injuries including minor head • when you do not know who to call for medical help and guidance from your School nearest to you. and public holidays you or have severe injuries and burns. • if you do not have a local GP to call. Nurse/ School Health Service. can contact NHS 111. abdominal pain. 4 5 1580-Cannock Chase web:6521-Cornwall 8/4/15 10:24 Page 7 This guide will help you choose well when deciding where to go for advice if your child is ill or injured. You can treat minor illnesses and injuries at Minor bumps, cuts and bruises, home by using the recommended medicines Know the basics sore throat, coughs and colds, Self Care and making sure they get plenty of rest mild tummy pain or headache www.nhs.uk Being prepared and knowing the signs If, as a parent, you are Write your Health Visitor’s telephone It is normal to worry that you won't recognise the signs that your baby is unwell. Health Visitor or unsure, confused, need number here: NHS 111 Parents are usually good at noticing when something is wrong with their baby/ help or advice child from quite early on. Trust your instincts, you know your baby best. Learn how to spot the signs of serious illness and how to cope if an accident Pharmacist Mild diarrhoea, constipation, happens. If you know the basics and you are well prepared, you will find it easier For advice on common To find your local pharmacy and its contact Pharmacist says mild skin irritations including illnesses, injuries and details visit: www.nhs.uk/chemist to cope - and less scary. Keep a small supply of useful medicines in a locked spots/rash, mild fever Keep a small supply of useful medication. cabinet or somewhere up high where a child cannot reach them. See box on the right for things to have at home just in case. Make sure you’ve got the right items. Include things like: High temperature, persistent strength of medicine for the age of your child, always follow instructions cough, head injuries not involving GP Write your GP’s (family Doctor) carefully and check use-by dates. Read the label carefully. Do not give Thermometer loss of consciousness, headache, For the treatment of telephone number here: aspirin to children under 16. tummy pain, vomiting/diarrhoea, illnesses and injuries that worsening health conditions will not go away. Paracetamol and ibuprofen Plasters (inside GP hours) Consider using either paracetamol or ibuprofen in children with fever who appear distressed - as a general rule a temperature of over 37.5°C (99.5°F). Liquid painkillers Unexpected and sudden sickness, NHS 111 Paracetamol can help to reduce fever and distress in children and so can (eg paracetamol or ibuprofen) severe pain, worsening health For 24 hour health advice As directed by NHS 111 ibuprofen.