Steps to Ensuring the Safety of Your Newborn Baby
Odd, isn't it, how parents bring children into a brand new world, entirely away that each and every thing their new infants meet in that world has the capacity to cause irreversible harm? Many of the same parts of life that are impossible for you child to live without can also be dangerous, or devastatingly damaging to a young infant. From the clothes they wear to the foods they eat, even the places they're sleeping, attention must be paid to every aspect of your new baby's life, to ensure they receive the utmost care, and reside with protection and safety.
Playtime
One of the most obvious places of danger is the direct area, when a baby is at play. When activity is at its highest, and caution at its lowest, for your child. Playtime is needed, and easy to make fun, but a parent has to be sure to make it safe, too.
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Use soft, cloth toys without sharp edges, strings, or cords.
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Avoid small toys, that might fit in your child's mouth.
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Keep an eye out when toys are recalled, and avoid or dispose of these.
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Ensure the direct area is clean, with no hard edges.
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Avoid baby walkers during play, to ensure they remain in a safe location.
Feeding
Food is delicious, and a vital part of your child's growth and nourishment in this wide world away from the mother's womb. But allergies, temperatures, and illness are all easily likely of harming your child during feeding, so be sure care is taken, as to avoid accidents that may hurt your child.
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Use warm water to heat bottles, instead of a microwave, as to not overheat the formula.
Always test formula heat before giving it to your child.
Make sure you child is strapped into their high chair, when using one.
Don't hold your baby while cooking.
Make sure all foods are mashed, pureed, or cut into tiny enough pieces for your child.
Learn infant CPR, incase of an accident.
Clean everything thoroughly. High chair, bottle, counters, etc.
Sleeping
A stationary, routine sleeping area for you child is a needed part of their lives, growth, and independant stability. But poorly made cribs can be dangerous, and even more so a sleeping, unmonitored child.
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Cribs should be devoid of harsh corners, sharp edges, or drop side latches most children can easily release.
Cribs should not have slats with a gap larger than 2 ⅜ inches, or any other large holes in the foot or headboard.
Babies should be lain on their back. This reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Babies should always be kept warm.
A child should never be let to sleep on a couch or sofa, or even baby swings.
No loose blankets or pillows, or anything else possibly large, soft, and un-held-down should be left in the crib with your child.
Bathtime
Bathtime is a bonding moment, but bathrooms are even dangerous as adults. Care for your child by ensuring their bathtime can be as accident free as it can.
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Water Heaters should be set at 120F, to avoid scalding.
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Anti scalding devices can also be used, to turn off the water when it becomes too hot.
Always test the bathwater before bathing your child.
Always keep one hand on the baby during a bath.
Older siblings, no matter how responsible, should not be allowed to bathe the baby.
The Home
All in all, the home is a dangerous place, and even with all of the above taken notice to, harm can still find its way to your child. Parents should 'baby proof' houses, and work to avoid any danger that may arise.
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Make sure all smoke detectors are working and functional.
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Use stair gates in halls and by stairs, and to keep babies out of certain doorless rooms.
Secure furniture in place and to the wall. Even little ones can tip things over.
Use child-resistant caps.
Lock up vitamins, medicines, cleaning solutions, alcohol, foods, and other things where your baby can't reach them.
Make sure anything electrical, heated, violent, or incredibly small are kept far out of the reach of your child.
Keep a first aid kit on hand.
Affix window guards in any applicable area.