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Newborn & Infant Safety

Tips to help you keep your baby safe!
Safety tips for new babies

Every year, nearly 300 children under one year old are admitted to BC hospitals for treatment of unintentional injuries.

Prevent the major causes of injury


  • Keep a hand on the baby at all times during diaper changes -- a baby can roll and fall off a change table.
  • Do not leave an infant in a bouncer chair on a table or counter -- a baby's feet can kick the chair over the edge.
  • Do not leave a baby unattended in a grocery cart.
 
  • Test bath with an elbow or forearm -- the water should be warm, not hot.
  • Stir food heated in a microwave well and test the temperature before feeding it to your baby.
  • Do not microwave human milk or formula. It is not necessary to warm bottles for term infants. For premature infants put the bottle in a bowl of warm water for up to 15 minutes, or hold it under warm running tap water. Be sure the water does not touch the cap, rim or nipple.
  • Do not hold the baby while you are eating or drinking anything hot.
 
  • Keep diaper creams, cleaning products, medication, tobacco, alcoholic beverages and other poisons out of baby's reach.
  • If your doctor has advised medicine, check the label and measure every time you give it to your baby.
 
  • Grate, blend or chop all solid food into very small pieces.
  • Keep small objects such as coins, buttons, and earrings out of baby's reach.
  • Discard any soothers (pacifiers) that have broken or chewed parts.
 
  • Stay within arms’ reach of your child at all times when they are in the bathtub. If you have to leave, take your child with you.
  • Infant bath rings and bath seats are not safe – your baby could slip into the water.
  • A young child can drown in as little as 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water in just a few seconds. 

Supervising your child at all times can save a life!

 

Prevent shaken baby injuries

Prevent shaken baby injuries

Learn more about normal crying and how to soothe your baby

Did you know?
  • Babies can cry up to 5 hours a day and still be perfectly normal.
  • Crying, especially inconsolable crying is the main trigger for shaking an infant.
  • Shaken baby syndrome occurs most often at two to six months of age.
  • Shaking a baby can cause seizures, blindness or deafness, paralysis, permanent brain damage, developmental delay, and even death.

Tips for soothing crying infants

  • Change or feed the baby
  • Take the baby for a walk in a stroller or infant carrier
  • Rub the baby's tummy
  • Offer a pacifier (soother)
  • But remember, sometimes healthy, normal babies cannot be comforted and that is OK.
  • If you become too frustrated with the crying, put the baby in a safe place a walk away until you calm down.

You can prevent shaken baby injuries

  • It’s more important to calm yourself, before you try to calm your baby.
  • Learn more about normal infant crying at www.dontshake.ca.
  • Never, ever shake your baby.
  • Tell others about normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking.

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SOURCE: Newborn & Infant Safety ( )
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