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Baby Safety

Take necessary precautions and avert potential risks.

Babies are sensitive, and they need gentle care to grow and thrive. Hence, from the moment they enter the world, baby safety becomes the top priority for parents and caregivers. Creating a safe and secure environment for the baby is vital to prevent potential risks and support their proper growth and development.

Baby safety is a multifaceted term involving different care aspects that ensure the baby is happy, healthy, and safe. Creating a sound and safe sleep environment for babies is one aspect that plays a vital role in their healthy growth and development. For that, experts advise following safe sleep practices like placing the infant or the baby on their backs during sleep. Doing so significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which usually affects babies under one year (1).

Considering newborn safety, whether you choose a crib or bassinet to put them to sleep, experts recommend buying products that meet all the safety standards. Following simple tips, such as using a firm, tight-fitting mattress and not putting stuffed toys in the sleeping space, are additional measures parents should take to prevent accidental suffocation and maintain optimum infant safety (2).

Another essential aspect concerning baby safety is food. Babies have an underdeveloped digestive system, which also affects their immunity. Hence, they should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life. Beyond that, babies should consume age-appropriate weaning foods with continued nursing as long as the baby and the mother want (3). When babies begin weaning, they should be fed well-balanced meals while avoiding foods like sugary beverages and high-mercury fish. Additionally, only single-ingredient foods should be introduced at first to keep the allergies under check (4).Our post on healthy weaning foods for babies shares some nutritious recipes with tips you should follow to feed these foods to your little one.

As infants grow, they become more inquisitive. Hence, parents must take extra measures to level up infant safety at home. One best way to do that is – baby-proofing the house. For that, cover electrical outlets, use safety gates to block the top and bottom of the stairs, and cover all sharp furniture edges with safety padding or bumpers. Whatever products you use, ensure they are baby-safe certified. Besides this, pay attention to the paint utilized within the living space. Ideally, you should use non-toxic, baby-safe paint for nurseries so your baby is not exposed to harmful toxins.

Baby bathing and skincare is one more aspect that concerns baby or infant safety. So, never leave the baby alone in the bathtub. Heat water to a safe temperature to prevent scalding. Use non-toxic, baby-safe skincare products to avoid disturbing the baby's skin barrier.

As your baby grows, you may want to use products like nail polish for them. While you may do that, it is vital to ensure they are safe. Typical nail polish contains toxic substances that can permeate the skin and enter bloodstream circulation, which can have detrimental health effects in the long run (5). Our post on baby-safe nail polish gives you information on the safety of baby nail polishes with a well-curated list of dos and don'ts you should follow while applying nail polish to your baby's nails.

Once babies begin crawling, "Are baby walkers safe?" is a point of debate among parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly advises against using baby walkers due to their risks (6). At the same time, concerns also arise about whether or not baby jumpers are safe. While potentially fun and helpful for developing motor skills, baby jumpers also have limitations that need careful consideration (7).

Another important area where safety precautions are vital is in the use of cleaning products. Many common household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that can harm babies if ingested or inhaled (8). Hence, using baby-safe cleaning products is crucial. It protects your child from potential harm and creates a safe and healthy environment for their growth. Since babies have delicate skin and respiratory systems that can be harmed by harsh chemicals, opting for natural and non-toxic cleaning agents can prevent skin irritations, breathing problems, and other health issues.

If you are a new parent looking for information on baby safety and care, take a look at the different articles under this section. From sleep to food and baby-safe sunscreen, these articles cover every topic a parent would want to explore to create a safe and secure environment for their child. Ensuring optimum baby safety requires continuous learning. There are many baby-safe products available, each worth exploring. By familiarizing ourselves with these options, we can create a haven at home where babies can stay healthy and safe.