UNION HOSPITAL MATERNITY SERVICES

Caring For Your Baby: Safety

Car Seats
A car seat must be used, starting with the first ride home from the hospital.

• Read and follow the instructions which come with the car seat.
• Check the label on the seat to be sure that it meets the standards set by the federal government.
• The car seat must be buckled securely into the back seat of your car.
• Never leave your baby unattended in your car.

Safe Sleep Practices:

• The crib slats should be no more then 2-3/8 inches apart.
• Use a firm mattress that fits the crib snugly.
• Use a tightly fitted sheet to cover the mattress. Couches, adult mattresses, futons, etc are not considered a firm surface.
• Keep all soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib (no pillows, sheepskin, quilts, fluffy blankets, stuffed toys, bumper pads, etc).
• Avoid overheating or over-bundling your baby.  Dress appropriately for the season.  Appropriately sized sleep sacks are optimal, thus avoiding blankets and other loose bedding.  If swaddling is needed for comfort, it is to be below the armpits (ask your health care provider to show you the proper technique).
• If a blanket is used, place baby’s feet at the foot of the crib.  Tuck the blanket under the crib mattress at the bottom and on both sides. The blanket should be no higher than the baby’s chest.
• Do not expose your baby to second hand smoke.  Clothing exposed to second hand smoke should be changed prior to handling your baby. Wash your hands before touching your baby.
• Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where the parents sleep. It is not safe to allow your baby to share a bed with anyone (parents, other children, pets, etc).
• Infants may be brought into bed for feeding or comforting but should be returned to their own crib when the parent is ready to return to sleep.
• Sleeping on a couch, recliner or armchair with your baby is not safe.
• The use of a pacifier is recommended throughout the first year of life when placing infants down to sleep unless refused by the parents.  For breastfed infants, avoid pacifier use until breastfeeding is firmly established (approximately 1 month). A pacifier should not be reinserted once the infant falls asleep. Pacifiers should not be coated in any sweet solution.
• Avoid commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS, flat head syndrome and acid reflux (such as wedges, rolled blankets, etc).
• Provide Tummy Time when your baby is awake and someone is watching; hold your baby upright when he or she is not sleeping; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncy seats.
• Please teach EVERYONE that cares for your infant (grandparents, babysitters, child care providers, etc) that your infant is to be placed on their back to sleep for every sleep during nap and nighttime for the first year. Side sleeping and stomach sleeping is no longer advised.  The risk of SIDS is 7 to 8 times higher among infants who normally sleep on their backs and then are placed on their stomachs to sleep.  The risk increases to as much as 18 times in a child care setting if baby normally sleeps on their back and is placed on their tummy to sleep by the nonparental caregiver.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (2005)

Other Safety Tips

Never leave your baby near the edge of a sofa, bed or changing table; there is a possibility that he or she may roll over or wiggle over an edge at any age. Begin now taking steps to remove or guard your baby from things that could be harmful. Use childproof safety locks on cupboards containing medicine, cleaning supplies or chemicals. Use electrical outlet covers on all outlets not being used.

Never assume that your baby is safe in the room alone with an older child.