Newborn safety: in a nutshell

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Around the home

• Prevent falls: One of the most common accidents for new babies is falling off change tables or other high places when nappies are being changed. You can avoid an accident by keeping one hand on him at all times or by changing him on a clean towel or rug on the floor.
• Prevent choking: Remember this simple rule: Nothing should enter your newborn’s mouth besides your breast and his own fingers (and a bottle or dummy or safe, chewable toy if necessary). Do a regular scan of the area within baby’s reach and remove small objects.
• No shaking: Never shake a baby. Even playfully throwing a newborn or young baby in the air can injure his fragile spinal column and brain. There are telltale signs of shaken baby syndrome, no matter how it occurs.
• Pets: Animals can be unpredictable (even a snoozy old cat can surprise with new behaviour), so introduce pets gradually and always under supervision, especially the family dog.

Bathing

Three things to remember here: use warm water (36° C), never leave your baby unattended and keep him supported in your hands at all times. Babies are just too slouchy to keep their noses above water, and drowning is very quick and completely silent at this age. Also, it is not safe to ask young children to supervise your baby in the bath.

To learn how to bath your newborn safely, see Bathing a newborn – in pictures. 

Sleep safety

Nobody knows for sure what causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is also called cot death. Research shows that the safest way to avoid it is to put your baby on his back to sleep, not on his tummy or side. (It’s a good idea to position your newborn’s head at a slight angle, alternating sides for each sleep, to avoid a flat spot developing.) Smoking seems to increase the risk of SIDS. Pillows, blankets and soft toys in the cot also pose a risk during baby’s first year, so keep them away when he sleeps.

See the Parenting in Pictures guides to sleeping safely and wrapping a newborn for more details.

Food and drink

• A hot cup of tea can burn your baby like fire does, so have your cuppa when baby is sleeping and avoid cooking while holding him.
• Honey can contain harmful bacteria that cause botulism so is not suitable to put on a baby’s dummy.
• The safest way to warm a baby’s bottle is in a saucepan of warm to hot water. Microwaves heat unevenly and can cause scalding.

In the car

Cars are dangerous, even if you are a good driver. According to the law, you must transport your newborn in a properly fitted baby capsule, snugly buckled in. Don’t travel with your newborn seated on your lap and never wrap your seatbelt around your newborn because in an accident he will most likely be crushed by your weight. The inside of a car can quickly heat up to deadly levels, so don’t leave your baby unattended in a car.

Out shopping

Prams are made to move easily so always lock the wheels when you are not holding onto it. Also, even with a baby inside, a pram can tip over from weight stacked on the back or shopping bags hanging from the handles.

In case of emergency

They don’t happen every day but accidents do happen. Be prepared by keeping a list of emergency phone numbers in your mobile or by the phone.

It’s wise to take a first aid course, particularly if you live in an isolated area or are often with baby on your own. The Parenting in Pictures guide to choking is also worth printing and sticking on the fridge.

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  Newsletter snippet: Newborn safety: in a nutshell
  

   

  By Raising Children Network

  Your newborn baby depends on you to make her surroundings safe.
  
  Around the home

  • Keep one hand on baby when she’s on the change table, or change her on the floor.
  • Prevent choking by removing all small objects within your baby’s reach.
  • Never shake your baby – not even in a playful way.
  • Always supervise the introduction of pets.
  • Warm your baby’s bottle in a saucepan of water rather than a microwave.

  Safe sleep

  • Place your baby on her back to sleep, not on her tummy or side.
  • Keep pillows, blankets and toys away from your baby while she sleeps.

  Bath time

  • Use warm water (36°C).
  • Never leave your baby unattended in the bath.
  • Support your baby with your hands at all times.

  Out and about

  • Have a baby capsule properly fitted in your car and always use it.
  • Never leave your baby unattended in your car.
  • Lock pram wheels when you are not holding onto it.

  This article is an extract only. For more information visit raisingchildren.net.au/safety/newborns_safety.html

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.