New parents often worry (sometimes excessively) about their baby’s safety. It’s a good idea to prepare your home as much as possible before the baby is born so you have one less thing to worry about when the big day arrives and it’s time to bring your baby home!
Home Safety
The ideal time to think about childproofing your home is when you’re buying furniture. Consider safety when purchasing your baby cot. Look for a new cot, as a used baby cot has the danger of cracks, chipping, or even toxic chemicals (there have been several recalls of baby products in the last few years). A wood or iron cot should have a distance of two inches or less between the strips, to prevent the baby’s head from getting stuck in between the cot strips. Any cots with pointed surfaces or splinters should be avoided. Also, check to see if the crib has loose fasteners, and ensure the mattress will hold your baby’s weight.
Bumper pads should be anchored in at least sixteen places — the top and bottom on the corners and at least two additional ties on each side. This will help to prevent the danger of your baby accidentally suffocating.
When you’re positioning the cot in the nursery, make sure there are no blind cords or windows within reach of the cot. When your baby begins to crawl and stand, this can be a major danger.
Another thing to watch out for is the mobile popular with many new parents. Mobiles are a great way to keep your child entertained for hours on end, but make sure it is out of reach, and that there are no small, removable parts that could fall off and your baby could choke on.
Car Safety
Make sure you purchase a rear-facing child car seat, and always put your baby in the backseat! In a crash, a properly designed baby seat will support his or her head, neck, and back. Your baby should ride facing backwards until about one year old, so a car seat is an important and major purchase.
You can purchase a special “infant only” baby seat that will have to be replaced once your baby is either a year old, or over a certain weight limit (the label will specify the weight limit). Alternatively, and good for new parents on a budget, you can purchase a convertible seat that you can turn around to face the front once your baby is old enough. For a new baby, a car seat without a shield is ideal, and if there are no padded supports, you can roll up towels to help support him or her.
If possible, try out the car seat before you purchase it, to make sure it will fit in your car without too much hassle. Once the car seat is purchased, practice putting the seat in and taking it out a few times before your baby’s first outing (perhaps for his or her first checkup).
Safety is important when you have a new baby in the house, so follow these tips and you can avoid the worry.
Related posts:
- A Guide to Baby’s First Checkup
- Helping Siblings Love Your New Baby
- Communicating With Your Baby
- Working From Home to Parent Too
Tags: Baby Safety, Baby Safety Information, Baby Safety Tips, Infant Safety