Something has shifted over the past few years. Baby and toddler first aid courses used to be the kind of thing that only particularly anxious or particularly organised parents booked. Now they are becoming a standard part of preparing for parenthood, and we are seeing more Nantwich parents, grandparents, and expectant families booking places than ever before.
There is no single reason for this. It is a combination of factors: greater awareness of what can go wrong, a generation of parents who research everything, the influence of social media where first aid videos go viral regularly, and a growing understanding that knowing what to do in an emergency is a skill that can be learned, not an instinct you either have or do not.
Whatever the reason, it is a brilliant trend. Every parent who completes this course goes home with skills that could save their child's life. And at £42 for three hours, it is one of the most valuable things a parent can invest in.
We are PCT Services, and we run Baby and Toddler First Aid courses at our training centre at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich, about a 15 minute drive from Nantwich.
What is driving the trend?
Weaning anxiety
Baby-led weaning has become hugely popular, and with it comes a very real anxiety about choking. Parents who are offering their six month old solid food for the first time want to know the difference between gagging and choking, and they want to know exactly what to do if their baby genuinely chokes. Our course teaches this in practical, hands-on detail, and it is the single biggest reason parents book.
Social media awareness
Videos of parents performing CPR on babies, of first aiders saving choking children, and of healthcare professionals demonstrating techniques have been shared millions of times. These videos do a brilliant job of raising awareness, but watching a video is not the same as practising the technique on a manikin with an instructor guiding you. Parents see the videos, recognise the importance, and want to learn properly.
The gap in antenatal education
Antenatal classes cover pregnancy, birth, and the basics of caring for a newborn. They rarely cover what to do if your baby stops breathing, has a febrile convulsion, or pulls a cup of hot tea onto themselves. Parents leave hospital with a new baby and no training in how to respond to the emergencies that are most likely to happen at home. Our course fills that gap.
Grandparents stepping up
Grandparents are providing more regular childcare than ever before. Many of them are keenly aware that the first aid advice has changed since their children were young. The recovery position has been updated, the guidance on burns has evolved, and the techniques for infant CPR are different. Grandparents book our course because they want to feel confident and current, not because they doubt their ability but because they want to be sure they are doing things right.
What the course covers
The course is three hours of practical, hands-on training. You will learn infant and child CPR using manikins, choking management for babies and young children, burns and scald first aid, how to manage febrile convulsions, allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, signs of meningitis, bleeding and wound care, and head injuries.
Everything is demonstrated by the instructor and then practised by you. The group is small, a maximum of 12 people, and the atmosphere is relaxed and supportive. There is no test, no exam, no pressure. Just three hours of learning the skills that every parent should have.
When Nantwich parents are booking
We see bookings at every stage of parenthood, but three points stand out.
During pregnancy, typically the third trimester. This is the ideal time because you have the headspace, the motivation, and the time. Many couples book together so both parents have the skills.
Around weaning age, typically five to seven months. This is when the choking anxiety peaks and parents realise they want practical training, not just advice from a book or a website.
After a scare. Some parents book after their child has choked, had a convulsion, or been involved in an incident that frightened them. They realised in that moment that they did not know what to do, and they do not want to feel that way again. We would rather parents booked before a scare, but the important thing is that they book.
The details
Three hours, £42 per person, certificate valid for one year. No previous first aid experience needed. The course is designed for parents, grandparents, expectant parents, and anyone who looks after young children.
We run scheduled courses throughout the year at our training centre at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich. Check the live dates on our Baby and Toddler First Aid page and book your place.
For Nantwich parent groups, NCT groups, or community groups who want to book a group session, give us a call on 07958 915146 and we can arrange a date that works for you.
Baby & Toddler First Aid
Gain confidence to handle emergencies with your baby or toddler. Learn essential first aid skills from a trainer who is a Registered Nurse with many years of clinical experience within Emergency Departments who trains Advanced Paediatric Life Support to medical and nursing staff in acute hospital environments.
Northwich Training Centre, Northwich
Fully booked · 3 dates available
Join the trend
More Nantwich parents are booking this course because more Nantwich parents understand that being prepared is better than being lucky. Three hours. Forty-two pounds. The skills to respond when your child needs you most. Check the dates and book your place.
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