Baby Safety 101: 12 Essential Baby Safety Tips for New Parents
7 minute read
Becoming a new parent is a blessing in so many ways. Along with all of the amazing “first” moments of becoming new parents: giving your baby their first bath, hearing your baby’s sweet laugh for the first time, seeing them finally reach out and grasp their favorite toy…
There are also challenges — such as keeping your child out of harm’s way.
The good news is, there are some simple things you can do to help keep your baby safe and secure.
We have all the information you’ll need to get up to speed on how to best protect your baby. Let’s take a look at 12 essential tips to ensure your little one’s safety!
Want to learn more about how to keep your baby safe in person? Sign up for our Infant & Child Safety Class!
1. Infant car seat safety:
Making sure that your baby is riding safely in the car is one of the most important things you can do as a new parent. If this is your first time buying a car seat, here’s how to find the perfect car seat for your little one.
And as much as we love to recycle and reuse, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends buying a new car seat unless you’re sure the used seat has never been in an accident.
Whether you land on an infant car-seat, convertible car seat, or all-in-one travel system, it’s just as important to learn how to install and use your car seat properly. Because sadly, 46% of car seats and boosters are misused, making them almost ineffective.
Schedule a car seat inspection with our Child Passenger Safety Technician for hands-on assistance installing your car seat.
2. Baby safety in the car:
Your adorable baby will be a new distraction to get used to while you’re driving — especially if you have a baby mirror in the back. Always keep your eyes on the road when the car is moving and wait to turn around to look at your baby once you’re fully stopped.
And as crazy as it may sound, it’s helpful to leave your purse or cell phone in the back seat to minimize the risk of accidentally leaving your baby in a car. Because when you’re sleep deprived, or in a hurry, it can happen to even the most well-intentioned parent!
3. Baby bath time safety:
Bathing your little one is a special bedtime ritual for many parents…
Make your baby’s baths fun, safe, and stress-free by bathing your baby in a specially designed, slip-resistant infant bathtub. Fill the tub with 2-3 inches of warm —not hot— water (you can check the temperature with your wrist or a tub thermometer) and stay within arm’s reach of your baby while they are in the tub.
Never leave your baby unattended in the bathtub — it only takes a few seconds for a baby to drown. If the doorbell or your phone rings, take the child with you — don’t leave them in the tub with a sibling to monitor them.
And when you’re ready to wrap up bathtime, always drain the tub immediately. Many parents like to keep the bathroom door closed as an extra safety precaution.
4. Baby sleeping safety:
Newborns spend more time asleep than they do awake! That’s why it’s so important to create a safe sleep environment for your baby. Here are five practical ways to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death:
- Place your baby on their back to sleep in their own sleep space with no other people.
- Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.
- Avoid letting your little one sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car).
- Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items out of the sleep space.
- Give your baby a pacifier before they go to sleep. This reduces the chance of SIDS.
Caring for a newborn will probably make you pretty tired as well! Especially when your little one is eating around the clock… But don’t nurse in a chair, on a couch, or in bed if you feel like you might fall asleep. This can increase your baby’s chance of SIDS.
Nursing your baby, having lots of skin-to-skin contact, and making sure that your baby gets all of the recommended vaccines can also help protect against SIDS.
5. Infant feeding safety:
If you’re chest/breastfeeding your baby, always make sure your chest area and nipple is clean before a feeding session. Certain cooling gel pads and nipple creams/balms need to be removed prior to nursing.
It’s a good idea to wash your hands prior to a feeding session just in case you need to unlatch your baby. You can do this by placing a clean finger into the corner of their mouth to break the suction.
Always collect extra milk in a clean, sterile container and follow proper storage guidelines to prevent bacterial growth which could cause your little one to get sick.
And when giving your baby a bottle, don’t prop or leave the bottle in your baby’s mouth. This can increase your baby’s risk of choking or lead to ear infections and tooth decay. Your baby may also eat more than he or she needs.
6. Baby toy safety:
Babies explore the world through play! While many toys are made with safety in mind, no toy is totally safe and some can pose a choking hazard.
To protect your baby during playtime, select age-appropriate toys with no parts of the toy smaller than a ‘D’ size battery. We suggest choosing toys that are made of natural materials, like cotton, wool and uncoated wood. (For plastic toys, look for those that are labeled phthalate-free, PVC-free and BPA-free.)
Be sure to check your baby’s toys often for any small loose parts or long cords or strings. You don’t want your baby’s toys to come apart or have small parts that are sharp or can be chewed or broken off.
Store your baby’s toys in a safe place when they’re not being used — like a toy chest or cabinet. Also keep buttons, coins, and small balls out of reach.
7. Preventing baby choking:
As your baby gains more control of their hands…anything within arms reach could find its way into their mouth! That’s why it’s important to see the world from their perspective and look for potential choking hazards.
Get down on your hands and knees in the rooms where you interact with your baby. Remove or lock away small items that could be dangerous. Look for things like:
- balloons
- toys with small parts and doll accessories
- coins
- safety pins
- paperclips
- push pins
- marbles and small balls
- nails, bolts, and screws
- erasers
- batteries
- broken crayons
- jewelry (rings, earrings, pins, etc.)
- small magnets
- small caps for bottles, including chocolate syrup, pancake syrup, and soda
Consider taking a certified infant CPR class if you are not already certified which is great preparation for when you start introducing foods to your baby. You’ll learn important life-saving skills like adult, child, & infant (pediatric) CPR, choking for the conscious and unconscious victim, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
8. Baby changing table safety:
Changing tables make it easier to change or dress your little one. But it’s important to take certain safety precautions to avoid falls. Use a sturdy changing table and secure the changing pad to the table so that it doesn’t move when your baby wiggles around.
Always keep your hands and eyes on your baby while they are on the changing table (use a safety strap if your baby is extra wiggly!) And keep all the supplies you’ll need within easy reach so that you don’t have to leave your baby unattended on a changing table.
9. Preventing falls with a baby:
Babies rolling off the bed or couch happens more often than you’d think… Because even if you look away just for a second…an accident can happen.
That’s why it’s best to always be with your baby when they are off the floor. Never leave your baby alone on a bed, couch or changing table — there’s too much of a risk that they could roll or fall off.
If you use an infant carrier, always place it on the floor, never on a counter or tabletop. And make sure your baby is always strapped in.
10. Babies and pet safety:
Your fur babies may be a special part of your family and it’s ok if they need help transitioning to a new baby being in the house! Supervise your baby’s interactions with your pets and teach them to be gentle. Hitting or tail-pulling can lead to unwanted bites and scratches.
And remember that your baby is building their immune system in these early months. As cute as it may be, try to keep your pets from licking your baby’s face or skin, especially if they have a cut or scrape. And keep your pet’s toys out of your baby’s mouth.
11. Preventing burns & shocks:
Burns are painful and dangerous for your little one. To avoid accidentally burning your baby, don’t hold them while cooking or holding hot food or beverages. Use a lid on your favorite coffee mug and keep other hot drinks out of reach of your baby.
To prevent scalds during bath time, install an anti-scald valve for your tub or lower the temperature of your hot water heater.
And to protect your baby from dangerous electrical shocks, install plug protectors on nearby electrical outlets and keep extension cords and electric wires out of reach.
12. Baby outdoor safety:
Your baby will love getting out of the house to explore the great outdoors! Whether you’re going for a walk in the neighborhood or heading to a park, it’s best to keep your baby in the shade, if possible. Their skin is thinner and more sensitive to sun damage.
Use physical barriers from the sun — like a sun shirt, hat, or stroller cover. But if sun exposure cannot be avoided, opt for fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic sunscreens like ThinkBaby.
Limit your little one’s time in the sun — especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is strongest — and don’t let them get overheated!
And if you live in a place with mosquitos… As tempting as it may be to spray your baby with bug spray to keep those pesky bugs away… It’s safer to take other preventive measures like covering your baby’s skin with clothing or their stroller with a mesh netting.
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Need more help preparing for the arrival of your little one? From Infant & Child Safety, to Newborn Care we offer a wide variety of prenatal, postpartum, and baby-and-me classes to help guide you through the most magical and exciting time of your life.
Join us for a class or two, learn more on the blog, or stop by the boutique to chat directly with one of our experts about your questions. From pregnancy to birth and beyond, we’ll help provide you with the experience that YOU’VE always dreamed of.
