Sleep Safety: The ABCs of Safe Sleep

Your newborn will sleep a lot , up to 16-17 hours a day. Safe sleep is the most important way to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. Follow the ABCs: Alone, Back, Crib.

  • Alone: Your baby should sleep in their own safe sleep space (crib, bassinet, or play yard) in the same room as you for at least the first 6 months. No bed-sharing, especially if you smoke, have been drinking, or are extremely tired.
  • Back: Always place your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps. This is the single most effective way to prevent SIDS.
  • Crib: Use a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet. No bumpers, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or positioners. Wearable blankets (sleep sacks) are a good alternative to loose bedding.
  • Temperature: Keep the room comfortably cool, and dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear. Check the back of their neck for warmth , if sweaty, remove a layer.

If you have questions about sleep, or your baby seems to have trouble breathing or is unusually difficult to wake, call your pediatrician immediately.

Car Seat Safety: Safe Travels from Day One

Before you leave the hospital, you’ll need a properly installed car seat. Newborns must ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat, never in the front.

  • Type: Use an infant-only car seat (with a carrier handle) or a convertible seat rated for newborns. Make sure it’s not expired and has never been in a crash.
  • Installation: Read both your car seat manual and your vehicle owner’s manual. The seat should not move more than 1 inch side-to-side at the belt path. Most fire stations and police stations offer free car seat checks.
  • Harness: The chest clip should be at armpit level, and the harness straps should be snug , you should not be able to pinch any slack at the shoulder. The harness should come from at or below your baby’s shoulders (rear-facing).
  • Angle: For newborns, the car seat base must be at the correct angle (usually 30-45 degrees) to keep your baby’s head from flopping forward. Many seats have an angle indicator.

Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag. And never leave your baby in the car seat for extended periods outside the car , car seats are for travel, not for sleep.

Baby-Proofing Your Home: Anticipate Hazards

Newborns can’t move much yet, but they soon will. Start baby-proofing early to avoid a rush later. Focus on the rooms where you’ll spend the most time.

  • Furniture safety: Anchor all furniture (dressers, bookcases, TVs) to the wall to prevent tip-overs. Use furniture straps or anchors.
  • Cords and blinds: Keep blind cords and electrical cords out of reach , they are a strangulation hazard. Use cordless blinds if possible.
  • Small objects: Get down on your hands and knees to spot choking hazards: coins, buttons, batteries, small toys. Keep them out of reach.
  • Stairs: Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Use hardware-mounted gates at the top, pressure-mounted ones at the bottom (or skip if no stairs).
  • Electricity: Cover all unused outlets with safety plugs or sliding outlet covers.
  • Fire safety: Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor, near sleeping areas. Test them monthly.

If you’re unsure what to baby-proof first, ask your pediatrician for a safety checklist at your next visit.

Bath and Diapering Safety: Water and Chemical Precautions

Bath time is a bonding moment, but it requires constant supervision. Gather everything you need before you start.

  • Water temp: Set your water heater to 120°F (49°C) or less. Test bath water with your wrist or a thermometer , aim for about 100°F (38°C).
  • Never leave alone: Even a few inches of water can be dangerous. If you need to answer the door or phone, wrap your baby in a towel and take them with you.
  • Bath products: Use mild, fragrance-free baby soap and shampoo. Avoid bubble bath (can irritate urinary tract).
  • Diaper changes: Keep wipes, diapers, and cream within arm’s reach so you never turn away from a baby on a changing table. Always use the safety strap , or change on the floor.
  • Chemicals: Store all cleaning products, medicines, and cosmetics out of reach, ideally in a locked cabinet. Never store them near diapers or wipes.

If your baby’s skin seems irritated after bath or diaper changes, or if you notice any rashes or unusual symptoms, consult your pediatrician.

Product Safety: Choosing and Using Gear Wisely

From swings to carriers, baby products can be helpful , but only if used safely.

  • Recalls: Check the CPSC (U.S.) or equivalent in your country for product recalls before buying used gear. Sign up for recall alerts.
  • Swings and bouncers: Use only on the floor, never on an elevated surface. The harness is for keeping baby secure, not for sleep , but if baby falls asleep in it, move them to a firm flat surface as soon as possible.
  • Baby carriers: Make sure your baby’s face is visible and not pressed against your chest. Follow the TICKS rule: Tight, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off chest, Supported back.
  • Pacifiers: Use one-piece pacifiers (no separate parts that could choke). Never attach a pacifier to a string or clip around your baby’s neck.
  • Toys: For newborns, choose toys with no small parts that could break off. Avoid toys with strings longer than 7 inches.

Remember: the safest product is one used correctly according to its instructions. If you’re ever unsure about a product’s safety, stop using it and ask your pediatrician.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize safe sleep (back, alone, crib), proper car seat use, and early baby-proofing, and always consult your pediatrician for any health or safety concerns.