About My Business
Most emergencies with babies and children happen at home, with only family around. Yet the people who most need first aid skills are often the ones who find it hardest to learn them. & Breathe First Aid runs in-person and online courses built specifically for parents of little ones, designed around the demands of an already busy life. We go beyond the CPR, choking response, and common injuries you'd expect from a traditional course, to also cover how to spot and manage serious sickness. Created by two paediatric ICU nurses, Charlotte and Teresa, who've seen first-hand the difference the right skills make in the six to twelve minutes before an ambulance arrives, and how much is at stake for families who don't have them. Families can join us for an in-person course in Auckland, where babies are not only welcome but we actively support families with a sleeping, feeding, or moving baby throughout the two-hour, hands-on session. Our online courses, for those outside of Auckland, are self-paced, with short, simple lessons that fit into even the busiest, most exhausted parent's day. On top of our courses, we also share free webinars, social media education, and downloadable resources, reaching families who may never book a course at all. Since our first course in February 2024, we've taught over 3,500 families in person and online, growing from a single Auckland class to reaching families across New Zealand. Beyond the numbers, we hear from families most weeks who've put this into practice, from saving a choking baby days after finishing a course, to spotting a serious illness and getting help quickly.
Why We Should Win The Peoples Choice Award
If you've ever had a scary health moment with a little one, you'll likely understand why we do this. I'm Charlotte, and alongside my co-founder Teresa, we're both paediatric ICU nurses who started & Breathe First Aid because we saw first-hand the devastating outcomes some families faced when they didn't know what to do in an emergency, and the amazing things families were capable of when they did. In New Zealand, almost a third of kids who need CPR in the community don't get it. That statistic is exactly why we do this work. We hear from families most weeks who've used what they've learned with & Breathe. More than one parent has saved their choking child within days of doing a course. Another mum faced a life-threatening croup event with her baby, and told us she felt confident she was doing the right thing, even though it was terrifying. The most amazing story is from a mum who trusted her own knowledge despite her family telling her she was overreacting, and got her newborn to hospital in time to catch a heart condition. A vote for & Breathe is a vote for more families learning these skills before they ever need them, not after. In just over two years, that belief has taken us further than we expected. Over 3,500 families have learnt with us. It's not just a number. It's parents and caregivers who now have the skills and knowledge to manage emergencies and serious sickness with their own children. The recognition from People's Choice shows real, community-backed support for what we're doing, something that truly helps us to grow & Breathe. So please vote for us. It isn't just a vote for & Breathe, it's a vote for the families who want to feel prepared for an emergency, and the children they go on to save
