Newborn Safety 101

Having a baby is an exciting time for the whole family, but don't forget these newborn safety tips.

He will be 4 in September, 2009 and sometimes I look back at the pictures that I took when we first bought him home. Boy was he tiny! I can’t believe he is the same little baby I bought home almost 4 years ago!

If you are a first-time mommy wondering how to keep your little one safe when he/she first gets home, don’t fret. Read these newborn safety tips.

1. Sleep tight. Your little one will do a lot of sleeping in the first few months. In fact, typically a newborn will sleep about 12-16 hours a day. That is why it is crucial to make sure he/she is safe while sleeping.

   When my 2 kids were newborns, I felt like the only way I could rest easy was if they were in the same room as me. My son had his own room, but he slept in my room in a Pack-n-Play. It had a bassinet that can be added to the top, and he slept in that as a newborn.

   Space started getting tight when my daughter was a newborn. she slept in my room in a mini crib until she was about 2 years old. The crib was very safe because it had the following:

   • Crib slats that were no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
   • A tight fitting mattress. It had no spacing more than 2 finger widths.

     I also made sure that my little ones’ cribs were not next to draperies and blind cords.

   • A firm mattress. I also did not put anything in their crib. My little ones did not have stuffed animals or a pillow in their crib. In fact, they did not even have a blanket. I was afraid they might suffocate so I swaddled them, put them in their crib, and kissed them night, night. Of course when you put your baby to bed, you should ALWAYS PUT THEM ON THEIR BACK TO SLEEP. This cuts down on the risk of SIDS. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

   Click here for more crib safety information.

2. Thank you for not smoking. Make sure no one smokes around your baby. Babies that are around second-hand smoke are more likely to die from SIDS. They are also more likely to have asthma and dangerous respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.

   And guess what? Even if you smoke outside, nicotine from the cigarette smoke can stick to walls, clothes, hair, and skin. This toxic residue or “third hand smoke” is invisible and hang around long after second-hand smoke disappears. The residue contains heavy metals, carcinogens and even radioactive stuff. Eww, GROSS! And when it’s stuck on you or your household things, guess what? It can now get on your newborn. It can be swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, which can be dangerous for your little one.

3. Away we go! Of course I am sure you are aware that you cannot bring your newborn home from the hospital without a car seat. So make sure you know how to use it and install it properly. It is estimated that about 80-90% of all car seats are installed improperly. So I recommend reading the directions and getting your little one’s car seat installed by a certified child passenger safety technician.

   Also, practice makes perfect. Practice using the car seat BEFORE you put your little one in it.

Click here for more car seat safety information.

Of course you will need things like clothes, formula, and lots of diapers. However never forget that safety ALWAYS should come first when taking care of a newborn.

Now that you have the basic newborn safety tips, click here for more baby home safety tips.

And... Click here for my Newborn Safety Checklist!

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