September is Baby Safety Month, and there’s no better time to get educated on how to protect your little one. Here, Little Toader co-founder Lori Bredemeier shares 10 must-know baby safety tips that will help you be more safety-conscious and keep your baby secure.
1. Follow the instructions doctors and hospitals give you.
I remember people telling us, “You can’t hurt them.” We swaddled our first child in two blankets (thick ones) and turned the heat close to 90 degrees because we figured her temperature should be 98.6, so the room needed to be warm. Not really how it works. Overwrapping baby or wrapping too tightly can prevent air flow and is a risk for overheating. Woombie offers a breathable baby swaddle, and parents swear by it, calling it the safest and most effective baby swaddle.
2. Avoid putting anything additional in the crib with baby.
You may think they will not move and cannot suffocate on blankets or bumpers, but it’s not worth the risk.
3. Don’t underestimate your parental instincts.
If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
4. Establish a good sleep routine.
We read Baby Wise with our first and it worked right away. She started sleeping through the night at 7 weeks old. If you need more assistance there are certified child sleep consultants that can prepare you before baby arrives and help after baby arrives. The Family Sleep Institute has an entire list by state of certified child sleep consultants.
5. Make sure your car seat is installed correctly.
Child car seats save lives, but only when used properly. Parents should carefully read the instructions and if you want to be extra sure, have a qualified professional such as a certified baby planner, certified child passenger instructor, or even your state troopers, check to make sure the car seat is installed properly.
6. Stay up to date on baby product recalls.
That means toys, furniture, gear like swings or strollers, and even food and medication. The best place to find recall information is the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
7. Find a pediatrician you like and trust.
Our pediatrician provides a number to call 24 hours a day. We used it a lot, especially with our first born. They were happy to help. That’s the kind of doctor you want!
8. Don’t ever leave your baby unattended.
It might sound obvious, but it only takes a split second for something to go wrong.
9. Find a baby monitor with great video and sound.
With the smart baby monitor + sleep kit bundle from Lumi by Pampers get the best view of the baby day or night, soothe the baby from anywhere with two-way audio, and make sure the baby’s comfy with continuous room temperature and humidity tracking.
10. With caregivers, never assume.
If you leave your baby with friends or family, be sure they understand what “keeping them safe” means to you and will follow your instructions. Don’t ever assume they will know what to do.
