Simple checklist for Hospital Delivery Bag
A properly packed Hospital Bag ensures a mother's hospital stay in smooth, easy and feels less uncomfortable. But most people don't know what to pack in a hospital delivery bag.
Sometimes, it's not very easy to access a hospital immediately for care against the illness, but it is also not advisable to sit and watch without making any effort to provide care to the child.
Even without the necessary knowledge and equipment available in the hospital, these are some basic health care a parent or guardian can give to a sick child in the comfort of the home before a hospital Visit;
1. Fever
High temperature or in a layman term, "very hot body" may seem like one of the most common sign of illness but it can also be very life threatening if left unattended to.
In cases of Fever, this is what to do:
• Tepid Sponging: Use lukewarm water and a clean hand towel to clean the body of the child. Do not wipe the body dry, but leave little droplets of water which would be assimilated by the body and help in lowering temperature.
• Hydration: Encourage and give the child plenty of fluid to help with internal heat and also prevent dehydration.
• Dress lightly and Switch on Fans: Remove excess clothing and wear light breathable clothes. Also, switch on the fan or open the window and avoid a hot stuffy environment.
2. Cough and Cold
Cough and cold can cause stuffy nose, chest and make breathing difficult.
In cases like this, this is what to do
• Warm Fluid: Offer warm water, warm broth or pepper soup to help with the throat.
• Steam Inhalation: The Steam from hot water should be inhaled. This can be done by pouring hot water into a container and covering the sick child in an enclosed space inhaling the steams from the water.
• Honey and Lemon: This should be used for children over 1 years of age. A teaspoon of honey with few drops of lemon (this can be added to a cup of warm water) helps soothe the throat.
3. Diarrhoea and Vomiting
This condition can lead to severe dehydration in children and that can be life threatening.
Before the hospital visit, this is what to do in this condition:
• Fluid: Encourage the regular intake of fluids to replenish lost fluid from vomiting and diarrhoea and prevent dehydration.
• ORS: This is called Oral rehydration solution. It helps to replenish lost fluid and electrolytes hence prevent dehydration.
It can be prepared at home with the following ingredients:
-1 liter of clean drinking water (boiled and cooled if necessary)
-6 level teaspoons of sugar
-1/2 level teaspoon of salt
Mix the ingredients together after properly measuring them, give to the child and discard any unused ORS after 24 hours.
• Promote Rest: Bouts of Vomiting and Diarrhoea makes a child lose strength and becomes weak hence proper rest is recommended to save energy.
• Cleanliness: Fluids from vomiting and diarrhoea should be cleaned immediately and the child bathed and re-dressed so as to avoid skin friction which can cause skin irritation and lead to skin conditions that require treatment.
4. Minor Cuts
Children play always and are at a high risk of fall and cuts. This is what to do to prevent infection and promote healing Incase of cuts:
• Clean with water: Clean the wound under running water, remove any sand or debris.
• Apply anti-septic: Clean cut with mild antiseptic after running them under water to help prevent infection.
• Apply Ointment: If needed, apply an ointment.
• Cover with Bandage: Cover and protect the wound with a clean bandage if it is necessary, to avoid contamination.
5. Constipation or Stomach Ache:
When the bowel is not emptied, it makes the child uncomfortable and it can also be painful.
This is what to do in this condition:
• Fluid : Encourage Fluid intake.
• Fibre Food: Give food high in fiber like fruits and vegetables, whole grains to help loosen stools
• Gentle Movement: Encourage gentle movements, plays or soft exercises to help ease the stomach muscles.
• Warm compress: Apply warm compress to the stomach to reduce stomach pain as well as warm water.
6. Skin Rashes
Skin rashes can be caused by heat, infections or allergies.
This is what to do in this condition:
• Cleanliness: Bathe the child regularly especially if it's a warm environment or hot season.
• Keep the child clean and dry: Any moisture on the child's skin like a Urine full diaper should be discarded and child cleaned up to avoid Skin friction from moisture which can cause skin irritation.
• Loose Clothing: Dress the child in airy and loose clothing which is not tight or too close to the skin to avoid Skin Irritation.
• Ointment: Apply Calamine lotion or recommended Skin ointment or cream.
While home care can buy time and promote little comfort, it is important to always go to the hospital for professional care when the child is ill.
It is also important to avoid giving new unprescribed drugs and to take note of any allergy the child has during the process of providing homecare.
Having a first aid kit and equipping yourself with basic first aid knowledge as a parents or a guardian can help you provide life saving support to your children in times of need.
