Keeping their newborn baby safe is any new parent’s primary job. From keeping your little one safe and comfortable while they slumber to preventing them from putting every object in their mouth as they transition into early childhood, each new stage of development comes with its risks.
Safe Sleeping Position
All babies under the age of 1 year are at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is the sudden, unexplained death of a healthy baby, especially during sleep. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies must sleep on their back at all times to allow for maximum airflow. Keep the crib as bare as possible and remove any blankets, pillows, bumper pads, or fluffy toys which could interfere with breathing and suffocate the baby. Also, make sure to keep the room cool to prevent your baby from getting overheated.
Your baby must rest in a crib or bassinet at all times except when breastfeeding or formula feeding. He or she must not sleep next to you in your bed or on a couch.
Secure Bedding
Your baby must rest in a crib or bassinet at all times except when feeding. He or she must not sleep next to you in your bed or on a couch. Bed-sharing is not recommended for infants as they can suffocate if a parent accidentally rolls over and covers their nose and mouth. Use a firm sleeping surface and a tightly fitted sheet instead of thick, fluffy padding as soft bedding can get in the way of their breathing and block the airways.
While a crib is a safe environment for your baby to rest in, you may want to install a smart monitor to watch over the baby while you are busy with other chores. You can find smart monitors for babies online and ensure your baby is safe and comfortable while you are away. They can monitor more than just the sound and movement of your baby and track your baby’s heart rate, breathing, and temperature as well, giving you the ultimate peace of mind
Comfortable Clothing
As a general rule of thumb, you should dress your baby in one additional layer than what you would be wearing to keep them warm and comfortable. Instead of a loose blanket, a sleep sack or a wearable blanket would be most appropriate for the purpose and would prevent them from feeling cold.
Soft baby shoes are an excellent way to keep your little one’s toes warm and snug. Not only are they super cute, but they’re also very practical. Made of a soft, flexible material, these soft-soled baby shoes are easy to put on and take off—perfect for those wiggly little feet. Because they’re so lightweight and comfortable, your baby won’t even know they’re wearing them! And, as all parents know, these early months and years are a time of rapid growth and development. So as your child begins to grow and develop, it becomes increasingly important to ensure they have the right footwear to support them through all those milestones.
Baby Proofing the House
It is only natural for your baby to become curious about everything in your house as they grow and transition into their early childhood. Anything within their reach which they can get their hands on can make its way to their mouth which can get stuck in the windpipe, causing them to choke. Accordingly, you want to keep small objects like coins, marbles, and buttons out of reach in safe containers. Likewise, you must keep your baby away from outlet plugs and consider installing covers over them. Put safety latches on drawers, cupboards, and cabinets to prevent access.
Other items particularly dangerous to a baby, like medications and detergents, must also be kept somewhere at a height to make it difficult for them to access. Remember, you must always watch your baby as there is a greater risk of an accident when you are tired or busy cooking, cleaning, or on the phone.
Bathroom Safety
You must never leave standing water in your tub or a bucket, as babies can easily drown in even a few inches of water. Consider installing childproof locks or lid locks on bathroom doors. Similarly, leaving your baby unattended in the bath, be it for a few seconds, can result in tragic consequences.
Watching over your baby carefully and keeping them safe and comfortable at all times is an unavoidable task for any parent. By putting some good habits into practice and looking at every corner of the house from the baby’s point of view will ensure you and your little one enjoy many happy and healthy years to come.
