How to Treat Infant Wounds

The sight of blood on your infant will likely cause panic and worry. Most wounds are minor and can be treated at home, reports Kids Health. Cuts and scrapes are an unavoidable part of growing up, and as your infant becomes more mobile he is more likely to get small injuries. If your infant receives a wound, you can easily provide home care if you understand the steps it takes to stop the bleeding and apply a dressing.

An infant's minor cuts and scrapes can be treated at home. (Image: Eric Gevaert/Hemera/Getty Images)

Step 1

Rinse the wound with clean water to wash away any dirt. Continue rinsing until all dirt or debris is removed.

Step 2

Wash the wound with mild soap and warm water. Rinse the wound to remove all soap.

Step 3

Apply pressure to stop any bleeding. Use a clean cloth, place it over the wound and use gentle pressure until the bleeding stops.

Step 4

Put a thin layer of ointment on the wound. Use an antibiotic ointment to help keep the wound clean. Look for an ointment that is made for babies, as infant skin can be sensitive to the ingredients in some wound care products.

Step 5

Place a bandage over the ointment. Apply gentle pressure to fully adhere the bandage to your infant's skin.

Step 6

Check on the wound every day. Look to make sure it is healing and that it is clean. Remove the old dressing, examine the wound and then apply a clean bandage.

Things You'll Need

• Water

• Soap

• Ointment

• Bandage

Tip

You can use an antiseptic spray or wipes to help clean your infant's wound. Kids Health reports that plain soap and water is effective for most minor cuts and scrapes. Try to distract your infant while you are caring for her injury by singing songs, talking to her or telling her a story. Character bandages can help your baby feel better because the bright colors and images may distract her from the pain and discomfort of receiving an injury.

Warning

If the wound becomes red, warm, painful, swollen or drains pus, call your infant's doctor right away because this could signal an infection, reports Kids Health. Call your child's pediatrician if your infant's wound is more serious than a small cut or scrape. Seek medical attention if the injury does not stop bleeding after five minutes of direct pressure or if the injury is more than half an inch long. Deep cuts will also require the care of a doctor, says Healthy Children. If your infant was bitten by another human or by an animal, call the doctor. If the wound is bleeding profusely, call 911 and apply firm pressure until the paramedics arrive. If the wound is on your infant's face or neck area, call the doctor immediately.