Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. And in the blink of an eye, your life changes in so many ways. There are some important things new parents should know.
Being a new parent also comes with learning about the dangers that could harm your newborn. No parent wants to worry endlessly about their child. But sometimes, there is room for concern.
It’s estimated that 3,500 newborn babies die each year due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), many from being placed improperly in their cribs.
But instead of being terrified if your child is injured or worse, it’s best to educate yourself on a few of the dangers and the causes of life-threatening conditions that could befall your newborn. Here are four important things new parents should know.
Baby Formula
Not all mothers can breastfeed their children. Correspondingly, baby formula is manufactured in various ways to give non-breastfeeding mothers a way to feed their newborn children.
Unfortunately, some children (especially preterm babies) can develop a reaction to baby formula made from cow’s milk, and this can be life-threatening.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening intestinal condition. It can be extremely harmful or fatal if developed. New mothers of smaller preterm children should know this danger before giving newborns any formula made with cow’s milk.
Consult your family pediatrician if you’re concerned about your child’s well-being. This will help you find the best alternatives for formula made from cow’s milk.
Car Seats
Perhaps one of the most precious (and nerve-rattling) moments of becoming parents is to bring your newborn child home from the hospital. And to do so, you have to ensure that they’re secure and safe in a car seat. But a car seat can also pose a danger to your child.
While short trips in the car are usually fine, taking longer trips with your newborn secured in a car seat can become dangerous. And this is simply because newborns don’t have the muscles developed to keep their heads upright and their airways open.
For example, a newborn may fall asleep in a car seat on a long trip. If their head falls forward, this can close off their airway and cause asphyxiation.
When traveling with a newborn in a car seat, the following steps should be taken:
- Always be vigilant when traveling and check your newborn regularly
- Avoid letting a child sleep in a car seat
- Don’t use a car seat in place of a bassinet
- Make frequent stops to adjust their position
- Ensure the car seat is secured correctly (facing the rear)
- Use an appropriate car seat for the weight of your child
You don’t want to be afraid to travel with your children. But you need to be cautious and vigilant anytime you take a trip longer than an hour with a newborn.
Cribs
Baby cribs have come under scrutiny in recent years. And this is because many children have perished or hurt themselves in particular styles of cribs. New regulations on baby cribs have modified designs unlike those in the past. And it’s recommended that you don’t use a crib older than ten years.
A few notes to remember about baby cribs are as follows:
- Never attempt to modify a crib
- Avoid using antique cribs
- Never place fluffy pillows or thick blankets in the crib
- Ensure that manufacturer instruction set up the crib
- Ensure that any holes or gaps in the crib are closed off with bumpers
- Never place your child face down in the crib
Baby cribs are supposed to be safe havens for your child to sleep in. Ensuring that this area is completely secure is your responsibility as a parent.
Additionally, any toys within the crib need to be safe. You should avoid any toys with long cords, sharp edges, or exposed battery ports.
We all want our children to be safe from harm to watch them grow and mature into adults. Keeping them safe means that you need to keep informed of the potential dangers that can harm your children when you least expect it.
Although there are other dangers, if you adhere to the advice listed here, you’ll be able to take the first step toward creating a safe environment for your child.
