Making Sure Your Baby is Safe: Avoid These Simple Mistakes
It’s easy to forget how vulnerable babies are to the world around them. Even experienced moms and dads occasionally neglect to take the proper precautions to ensure their little one’s safety. This is understandable. Parents are accustomed to their homes; things that can be dangerous for babies seem familiar and thus, benign.
With this in mind, we’ll provide a checklist of items that can be potentially hazardous to your infant’s safety. These are things many parents neglect. While there is no foolproof way to guarantee your baby will always be safe from harm, addressing the following will eliminate most of the danger.
Temperature Of The Nursery
Babies need a regulated temperature in their room. Even though their bodies can generate heat, they lose it almost as fast as they generate it. For this reason, try to maintain a steady temperature between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Protection From Water Accidents
Even though most babies enjoy playing in water, it can be dangerous for them if they are left unattended. Infants can potentially drown in just a few inches. This is why parents are strongly encouraged to always keep their eyes on their babies near water.
Another danger is that a baby’s skin is tender and can easily suffer burns. To prevent this from happening, experts recommend lowering the thermostat on your home’s water heater to under 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Care With Car Seats
A lot of parents think car seats keep their babies safe simply because they’re using them. In reality, millions of parents use car seats improperly and create avoidable safety issues in the process. They buy the wrong type given their infant’s age and size, install it incorrectly, or fasten the harness too loosely. Some moms and dads even place them in the front seat (car seats should only be used in the back seat).
Safety In The Nursery
Your little one’s nursery is where she’ll spend most of her time (at least until she starts to crawl). The problem is, there are several potential hazards in this room. For example, her crib can be dangerous if her mattress is too loose-fitting. If there is too much room between the mattress and the sides of the crib, she might become stuck and suffocate. Also, if there are decorative items on the headboard, she might catch her shirt. This too, can cause her to suffocate.
Bassinets can be hazardous if they’re unstable, have staples sticking out, or lack a locking mechanism that prevent the legs from folding. Changing tables also pose a danger if they’re designed with poor balance. Moreover, any type of furniture can be unsafe if it is placed near drapes or blinds with cords hanging within reach of your little one.
Sleep-Sharing
Experts continue to disagree regarding whether sleep-sharing is a good idea or not. In the context of your baby’s safety, some argue that sharing your bed with your infant exposes her to possible injury from accidental rollovers. Others claim that sleep-sharing is valuable for creating a bond between parents and their babies. There’s likely truth in both claims.
Use common sense. If you have been drinking alcohol, it is obviously a bad idea to sleep with your little one in the same bed. So too, if you are on heavy medications. Likewise, if you or your partner suffer from epilepsy, sharing your bed will expose your baby to potential harm.
Your baby depends entirely on you and your partner to protect her safety. Left to her own devices and curiosity, she will get into trouble. Use the suggestions above to add an additional layer of protection between your infant and the dangers within your home. A little upfront planning will help ensure she remains safe, healthy, and happy.
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Category: Parenting
Keywords: baby safety, keeping baby safe, sleep sharing, child safety