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Newborn care and safety. That's most probably what's on your mind the most, as you prepare for the arrival of your new baby. How are you going to keep the baby safe? You are not alone. Most new parents worry about what needs to be done to keep the baby safe.
So today we are sharing our newborn safety checklist and tips that all new parents should should know to keep the baby safe when sleeping, at home and in the car.
NEWBORN SAFETY CHECKLIST: NEWBORN SAFETY TIPS FOR SLEEPING, HOME & CAR
1. Your baby's neck muscles are weak. Be sure to support your baby's head at all times to avoid serious injury or even death.
2. Don't hit, shake or play rough with your baby ever!
3. Never leave your baby on a table, chair, counter or other high surface.
4. Don't leave your baby unattended--even for a second.
5. Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times—naps and at night. Babies who sleep on their backs are much less likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their sides or stomachs.
6. Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a mattress. A firm sleep surface helps reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
7. Keep your baby’s bassinet in the same room where you sleep until your baby is at least 6 months old.
8. Place the bassinet close to your bed. You'll be able to monitor the baby through the night.
9. Never share the bed with the baby. Accidental suffocation or strangulation can happen if the baby sleeps in your bed.
10. Keep soft bedding such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of your baby’s bassinet or crib
11. Don't cover your baby’s head or allow your baby to get too hot.
12. Never keep the baby on a sofa, couch, or cushioned chair, either alone or sleeping with another person.
13. Avoid baby's exposure to smoke, alcohol and illicit drugs.
14. Breastfeeding is best since it offers added protection against SIDS.
15. If you are feeding your baby and think that there's even the slightest possibility that you may fall asleep, feed your baby on your bed, rather than a sofa or cushioned chair.
16. Choose a crib with bars no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. If the space between the bars is too wide, your baby could slip through and strangle between the bars.
17. The mattress should fit snugly against the sides of the crib. A baby can suffocate if her head or body becomes wedged between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
18. Make sure your crib is current, and meets all safety standards.
19. Keep the mattress low if your baby's crib has a mobile.
20. Keep your home/baby's room around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. (The temperature will be a little warmer in the summer; 75-78 degrees.).
21. Always choose a a sleep sack instead of a blanket to keep the baby warm if needed.
22. Remove any cords that could get around your baby’s neck.
23. Mobiles and hanging crib toys should also be kept out of your baby’s reach.
24. Remove strings on crib toys and pacifier
25. Make sure your changing table has straps to prevent the baby from rolling off. Use these straps to help restrain your baby whenever you use the changing table.
26. Keep diapers, wipes and other baby products at within easy reach.
27. Don’t turn your back on your infant when reaching for something.
28. Never leave your baby unattended—even for a second.
29. Install a carbon monoxide detector on every story of your house if you use gas or oil appliances or have an attached garage.
30. Check the batteries of any detectors you already have.
31. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and in the hallways outside of bedrooms.
32. Purchase a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it.
33. Install a temperature guard on your water heater at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius).
34. Get any flaking or peeling paint sealed or removed by a professional, especially if your home was built before 1978.
35. Put non-slip pads under all rugs in your home.
36. Always unplug and store electric appliances that aren’t used (iron, curling iron, etc.)
37. Finish all painting and wallpapering at least eight weeks before baby is expected to avoid exposing baby to any potentially harmful fumes.
38. Never leave your baby alone with a pet.
39. Watch your pet closely for signs of jealousy. Jealousy can cause a pet to act out.
40. Give your pet as much attention and affection as you did before the baby was born.
41. Trim your cat’s claws short so they can't scratch the baby
42. Train your dog to obey commands. before the baby is born Enroll your dog in obedience classes if necessary.
43. Keep your pet’s toys away from your baby.
44. Always keep the the baby restrained in a properly installed car seat when traveling.
45. Your newborn should sit in an approved car seat that is facing backward in the center of the back seat.
46. Never use a car seat in a location with an airbag.
47. Carefully follow manufacturer’s instructions for securing the seat and your child.
48. Never leave baby alone in a vehicle. Within minutes he or she could be in danger from heat and dehydration, even if the windows are open.
49. To avoid scalds, turn your hot water heater down to 120°F (48.9°C) or lower.
50. Never leave your baby alone in a bath.
51. Remember that even an inch of water can be deadly for a newborn.
52. If you must leave the room, always take the baby with you.
53. A small tub lets you control the water temperature for baby’s bath.
54. When adjusting your baby’s bath water, start with cool water and add hot water to it.
55. Mix the water until it feels warm but not hot.
56. Always test the water temperature with your elbow, or drop water onto the inside part of your arm. Or, you can buy a thermometer made for testing bath water.
57. The temperature of the room where you’re bathing your baby should be about 75°F.
58. Keep your baby out of drafts, especially when he or she is wet.
59. Pat your baby dry as soon as you’re done with the bath.
60. To keep your baby from getting a chill, cover baby’s head with a hooded towel.
61. You can wash your baby's body first and then wrap him or her in a warm towel while washing the hair last.
62. Clean only the parts of your baby that you can see.
63. Don’t poke cotton swabs into your baby’s ears or nose.
64. Wait until the umbilical cord falls off before bathing your baby in a tub.
65. Once the bellybutton has healed, you can get baby’s entire stomach wet.
66. You can sponge bathe your baby while the umbilical cord is still attached.
PRINTABLE NEWBORN SAFETY CHECKLIST
We know that your baby's safety is your number one priority. So PRINT this newborn safety checklist and keep your newborn baby safe and comforted.
Last Updated on February 1, 2021 by Tira Attygalla
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