In Babble.com’s “10 Things to Know About Taking a Toddler to the Emergency Room,” Molly Thornberg suggested not waiting until your toddler needs to visit an emergency room to figure out what to do. Give it some thought beforehand and if your child never needs emergency medical care, count yourself very fortunate.
Calling 9-1-1
Getting your child into an ambulance with paramedics may be the best thing if you can't handle the injury or the drive to a hospital. Thornberg adds that 9-1-1 dispatchers can connect you to poison control if you are concerned that your child has swallowed something he or she shouldn't have.
Seek Help with Siblings
Think about who you might be able to call on and contact those people before there is an emergency; offer to do the same for them should they need it.
Have Details Ready
In the chaos of an injury, you may forget some things be try to keep clear head so you can tell medical professionals the most information possible: how far your child fell, the substance you think was swallowed, when he or she started to feel hot/dizzy, etc.
Advocate for Your Child
Ask questions and make sure your child gets the medical attention that he or she needs. If you think a procedure may be unnecessary, ask exactly why it needs to be performed.
Come as You Are
While it isn't ideal to take shoeless, half-dressed toddlers out of the house, when a sibling needs emergency room care, getting help is the priority. Thornberg tells parents not to fret about an unkempt toddler in these moments.
Treats
If the medical facility you visit doesn't offer any treats, you can get something for your child and compliment him or her for being brave (no matter how much he or she cried).