Free baby first aid session for parents in Leigh Park

Around 15 parents attended the event, which included a 30-minute ‘have-a-go’ session in first aid, including how to check if a baby is breathing, the recovery position and CPR.

The free session was provided by St John Ambulance Havant volunteer Beverley Stotesbury.

Beverly said of the evening: ‘It’s crucial all parents, grandparents and carers know what to do in those vital minutes after a baby has stopped breathing.

‘By providing a demonstration, I hope to be able to show how you can help in this situation and give your baby the best chance of survival.’

The evening followed research that showed only a third of parents in the region would know what to do if their baby stopped breathing, despite three in four saying this was the first aid emergency that scared them the most.

Although two-thirds said they had learnt first aid, only one in three knew how to transfer that to treating babies.

St John Ambulance will be holding a further demonstation of baby CPR on April 5 at Havant Library.

There will also be a three-hour baby first aid course at Havant St John Ambulance on May 23. The £30 event will cover key first aid emergencies for babies and toddlers.

To book, call 0303 003 0101 or go to www.sja.org.uk/training.