Keeping your baby safe is your number one priority. As a new mom, nothing is more important.
But how can you keep them safe? What do you actually need to do? Here, we take a look. Much of the following advice is just common sense, but some is also unexpected. Check it out below.
Fit A Car Seat
Parents should never carry their babies on their lap in a moving vehicle. Instead, they should strap them into a car seat – a helpful piece of equipment that will protect them if they get into an accident.
Generally, during the first two years of life, car seats should face the rear. Then, when your child gets older, you can purchase front-facing varieties.
Foryourlittleone provides some examples of the types of car seats on the market right now. Some are for babies, while others are for toddlers. When choosing, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Avoid Burns
Babies are prone to burns. That’s because they don’t know which objects to avoid. Furthermore, they don’t always have the necessary motor control to protect themselves.
Here is some advice:
*Don’t bring hot liquids near your baby. Don’t drink tea or coffee around them
*Don’t use a microwave to heat your baby’s bottle. Microwaves have a tendency to heat bottles unevenly, creating hot patches that can burn
*Don’t increase the temperature on your hot water thermostat too high. If it goes more than around 120 degrees, it runs the risk of scalding your child
Avoid Baby-Related Accidents
There are numerous objects around your home that could potentially harm your baby. Needles, pins, razor blades, coins, glass and mediations could all cause damage. Remove these from accessible areas and keep them under lock and key.
Also, be careful if you use walkers. They are often responsible for children falling down stairs, resulting in thousands of emergency room visits each year.
If you have art on your walls, double check that you attach it securely. If it falls loose, it could cause a serious injury.
Follow Safe Bathing Principles
Babies can drown in as little as two inches of water. Always test bathwater to ensure that it is not too hot before you put your baby in it. Water should be a little more than lukewarm. If the water is too hot, just add some more cold.
Never leave your baby in the bathtub unattended. Babies can drown in just a few seconds, so you must be constantly vigilant.
If you keep electrical appliances in your bathroom, make sure that you store them out of sight in places that your children cannot access. Dryers, radios and hair tongs are all potentially dangerous if they come into contact with water.
Remove Choking Hazards
Lastly, you’ll need to remove choking habits from your baby’s environment. Never place cords or strings around your baby’s neck and, where possible, remove them from your environment. Don’t allow cords for blinds to dangle as children can get caught in them.
If there are any small objects lying around your home, store them in lockboxes.
Always Remember You’re Beautiful!
-Lola
