▢ Continue to ask people not to smoke around your baby. A baby also has a higher chance of dying of SIDS if a mother smokes while she is pregnant or if there are smokers in the home. Babies’ lungs and airways are very small and they get smaller when babies breathe air with smoke in it.
▢ Babies’ necks are weak for the first few months. Always support your baby’s neck when carrying or holding her.
▢ Do not leave your baby alone on changing tables, beds or other raised surfaces, even for a few seconds. He could fall. Always try to keep on hand on your baby when he is on the changing table.
▢ Never ever leave your baby alone in the bath or around water.
▢ Keep changing table supplies away from babies. Even inhaling baby powder is harmful to young lungs.
▢ Occupy your baby’s hands with a toy or rattle.
▢ Once or twice a week, you should trim your baby’s nails. This will keep baby from scratching herself or you. It may be easiest to trim nails while baby is sleeping.
▢ Never leave pets alone with a baby.
▢ Use mosquito netting over infant carriers.
▢ Keep small objects away from your baby. One of the ways he learns is by putting things in his mouth. Small objects could cause choking.
▢ When going outdoors near or after dark, dress your child in long sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid getting bitten by bugs. You can also use mosquito netting on baby’s stroller or carrier to prevent buy bites.
▢ If your child is over two months old, it is considered acceptable to use insect repellent with DEET. Application should only be made once daily. Non-DEET repellents may not be safe for use on children. Always follow the recommendations on the product label and avoid applying repellent near the eyes, mouth and onto children’s hands because they may put their hands into their mouths. DEET is safe for children only in a concentration of no more than 30%, and when applied sparingly on exposed skin. DEEP should also not be applied under clothes, or on cuts. And the child’s skin should be washed off after coming indoors.
▢ To protect baby against skin cancer, keep baby in the shade, wearing a hat, and apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed skin while outside in the sun.
—- from First5 Advice for New Parents
