Protecting Your Bundle of Joy
From the moment you bring your baby into this world, you play an important role in keeping them safe. Whether you are a first-time parent, or you have other children, this can be a stressful time as you want to do everything possible to ensure your baby is protected and cared for appropriately.
“Most injuries can be prevented, and parents and caregivers play a significant role in making sure their children stay safe. When it comes to making choices regarding your baby, safety should never be compromised," said Chesse Hall, RN, BSN, Nurse Home Visitor, Nurse-Family Partnership, Acenda.
During September, and every day of the year, safety should be top of mind.
Here are 5 tips to help ensure your baby is kept safe and happy during the infant years:
1. Baby-proof the home. Before bringing your baby home, it’s important to make sure the environment is safe. The best way to do this is to get down on your hands and knees and think like a baby. You need to inspect all rooms and implement any safety measures needed. Take care of electrical issues, wobbly or loose furniture, hanging tablecloths, dangling cords, and potential choking hazards. If an item is small enough to fit through an empty toilet paper roll, it poses a choking risk.
2. Never leave your baby alone. Whether on a bed, sofa, changing table, infant seat, or in the tub, a baby can fall very easily. It only takes a split second for an accident to happen.
3. Car safety. It is so important to make sure the car seat is the appropriate size and is positioned correctly in the car. All 50 states have laws that require the use of a car seat. Your local fire department can assist with car seat installation, or click here to find a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station. Remember to replace car seats after a car accident.
4. Sleep safety. Make sure the crib is sturdy with no cutouts and the mattress is firm, flat, and fits properly. Babies should always be placed on their backs for every sleep. Never use blankets, pillows, bumpers or toys in the crib. Always use a monitor when the baby is sleeping or napping so you can hear and/or see what they're doing.
5. Smoke and fire safety. Never smoke around your baby. Make sure your smoke detectors are working and that you have at least one fire extinguisher in the home.
Seeking to empower families to raise happy, healthy babies, Acenda helps guide new and expectant parents through their journey and support their unique needs. To learn more about maternal health services available to help with caring for your baby, call (856) 431-4180.
Sources:
www.cdc.org
www.healthychildren.org