Car travel
Preventing drowning
Preventing falls
Preventing burns
Preventing choking
Preventing suffocation
Smoking
Child care
Car travel
Car accidents are the most common cause of death in babies. Most of these deaths could be prevented with the proper use of car safety seats.
Always put your baby in an approved car seat. Follow the manufacturer's instructions completely when you install it. Make sure your child is strapped securely into the car seat before placing blankets on your baby. Never hold your baby in your arms in a moving car, even if you are only going a short distance.
For further information, view the Child Safety Seat Resource Center Website, www.childsafetyseat.org.
Preventing drowning
Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death of children. A newborn can drown in less than an inch of water in just a few minutes. Never leave your baby alone in a tub of any size. If you must leave to get something, take the baby with you. Unplug the telephone or let the answering machine take over during the baby's bath. Leaving your baby alone in the bath while you answer the phone is not worth the risk.
Preventing falls
Babies wiggle, move and push against things with their feet soon after they are born. These simple movements can cause a fall. Never leave your baby alone on a changing table, bed, sofa or chair. When you need to step away - even for a second - put him or her in a safe place, such as a crib or playpen.
Preventing burns
Never carry your baby and hot liquids or hot food at the same time. Prevent burns from scalding tap water by reducing the temperature of the hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your baby gets burned, immediately put the burned area in cold water. Keep it there until he or she stops crying. Cover the burn loosely with a bandage or clean cloth, and call the doctor.
Preventing choking
Babies explore their environments by putting everything into their mouths. Choking can result in brain damage or death. Never leave small objects within your baby's reach. Don't feed your baby pieces of hard food, such as chunks of raw carrots, apples, grapes, peanuts or candy. It is important to know what to do if a baby starts to choke.
Preventing suffocation
Never put your baby on a waterbed, beanbag chair, pillow or anything soft enough to cover the baby's face and block air to his or her nose and mouth. Keep pillows and stuffed animals out of the crib.
Reducing the risk of SIDS
Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, not on the stomach or side. The "back to sleep" practice has helped reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
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Use a firm sleep surface with no soft materials or objects, like pillows, quilts, comforters or sheepskins placed under the sleeping newborn. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib.
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Avoid exposing the baby to smoke.
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Provide a separate but close sleeping environment, if possible. When the baby sleeps in the same room as the mother, the risk of SIDS is reduced. A crib, bassinet or cradle that meets safety standards is recommended.
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Avoid overheating the newborn.
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Encourage tummy time when the baby is awake and can be observed.
Smoking
Always keep your baby in a smoke-free environment. Environmental smoke leads to ear infections, colds, respiratory disease and an increased risk of asthma and SIDS. If adults in your home smoke, insist that they smoke outdoors.
If you smoke and need help to quit, call the Providence Resource Line at 503-574-6595.
Child care
Be very selective about the people who care for your baby. People who are careless, easily angered or frustrated in other situations may behave the same way with a crying baby.
A baby must never be shaken. Serious brain injury or death may result. If you or anyone who spends time with your baby is easily angered or frustrated, seek help.
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