Infant Safety B By Ashley Lombardo
ecoming a parent is one of life’s most beautiful gifts, but the truth is many new and even experienced parents have misconceptions about the proper measures for infant safety. Tis spring, we’ve gathered tips to help keep your infant safe in and outside your home.
Spring
Cleaning A clean home is
essential to providing a healthy life for your newborn. However, many cleaning products contain chemicals that can do more harm than good for infants when used improperly.
After sanitizing a
room, always allow enough time for the room to air out and surfaces to dry completely before bringing an infant into the room. Te evening hours are when babies are most susceptible to these types of accidents. Parents can be
distracted with evening routines and aren’t paying close attention. Keeping babies out of cabinets that hold cleaning products with baby restraints or ties is the best way to prevent accidents.
Te childcare learning center Bartram
Academy was voted 2013 Green Business of the Year. Owner and Director Kelly Giddens shares her tips on how to clean using eco- friendly products. “We do not use hand sanitizers in the classrooms, we encourage frequent hand washing with regular soap— no antibacterial.”
Kelly suggests steam as a baby-friendly
take on deep cleaning without using chemicals. “Natural green products for children are getting easier to find. Target carries a great brand by California Baby. Our school is also cloth diaper friendly,” she says.
However, it’s important to note that just
because a product is considered “green,” doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t poisonous to your child. Make sure to read all labels, use the products accordingly and never mix chemicals.
26 | Family!
Devices Many devices are designed to help
parents keep their children safe and comfortable, but some can also have hidden health and injury risks. Issues can arise from almost any device if it’s used incorrectly, if the age requirements aren’t followed closely or if the product has been previously owned.
Experienced mother of two and local
pediatrician, Saba Jafri, warns about popular, but potentially hazardous devices for parents. “Sling carriers are nice but the concern is that there is no padding or protection behind the head. Parents don’t realize and they’ll be walking, and accidently the baby’s body will get hit by something. Because parents don’t realize that the baby isn’t really protected even thought it’s up against their body, they don’t necessarily watch out when they are walking.”
Te Florida Department of Health also
notes, “When infant slings and cloth carriers are used for carrying, it is important to ensure that the infant’s head is up and above the fabric, the face is visible and the nose and mouth are clear of obstructions.”
Studies have found that certain play stations and walkers for infants cause harm.
Te American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends walkers. Some parents have the idea that walkers encourage babies to walk earlier but this is a myth and these devices can cause a multitude of problems including severe safety hazards in homes with stairs.
Dr. Jafri says bedside sleepers can lull
nursing mothers into a false sense of safety. Tis device is like a mini-crib, which can be pushed right up to the side of the bed, but sometimes this allows a gap to be created between a parent’s bed and an infant. Not only can the baby fall out, but it can also become stuck in between the beds. “When you’re nursing at night you’re really sleepy. If you keep them right next to you, you never really wake up and the baby really never wakes up,” she says. It is strongly suggested that you keep your bed and the crib separated.
Additionally, devices that are previously
owned often cause huge issues for new parents. Te idea of saving money by accepting a donated or used item is great, but only if the item has all the directions and manuals from the original purchase. If you’re purchasing previously used products, verify that the directions are with the product and that there have been no recalls.
Car Safety Children age 12 months and younger
should always ride in rear-facing car seats in the back seat. Tere are several types of rear- facing car seats available on the market today. In the instance of an automobile accident, this type of seat cradles a baby and moves with your child, thus, minimizing stress to the spinal cord and neck, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Size and weight along with other specific
instructions in the manufacturer’s manual should always be followed when using a car seat. Tis is the best place to find the appropriate seating arrangements for your child. Additionally, any car seat that has been involved in an accident should be discarded
HERITAGE PUBLISHING, INC. © 2014
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