New parents face many adjustments as they transition to becoming parents for the first time, from sleepless nights to the responsibility of keeping your little one safe. Here are some helpful safety tips for new parents:
1. Get CPR Certified
Performing CPR on infants differs significantly from performing it on adults, so getting certified may offer you peace of mind if ever needed to save someone’s life. It may never come into use, but being prepared may come in handy should anything arise that requires it.
2. Research Safe Cribs
Shopping for a crib should go beyond simply looking for one you like in terms of style; you need to ensure it meets safety standards as well. Although you might not give much thought to its spacing between slats, this aspect of crib shopping is extremely important and should be taken seriously when making decisions – any non-regulated crib should be avoided!
3. Eliminate extra items from the crib
Having too many toys or blankets in a crib could put children at risk of accidental suffocation.
Sleep sacks provide warmth while sleeping while eliminating blanket suffocation risks. While you may love the look of your crib setup, make it a point to remove all extraneous items when it’s time for your infant to sleep – the extra effort will pay off in spades! If using a bassinet near your bed during early stages, ensure that its height matches that of the bed without gaps between it and it and your bed frame.
4. Adopt Car Seat Safety Measures
While cribs that were not built with safety in mind and any extra crib items can present dangers for babies, so can moving vehicles. Therefore, take great care in selecting and installing your infant car seat properly into your car, using rear-facing car seats where possible for optimal infant security.
Are you an modern parent concerned with being able to see your baby as you drive? Install a mirror that makes it simple for you to check up on them through the rearview mirror.
5. Investigate Potential Caregivers
As a career parent, you may be considering hiring someone to care for your infant while you’re at work. While an impressive resume may tempt you, it is crucial that any prospective childcare professionals be thoroughly screened prior to making any hiring decision in order to ensure they share your concerns for her safety as much as they would themselves.
As part of your caregiver search process, be sure to assess their experience in infant care, CPR certification and ability to stay focused on their duties.
As any responsible parent knows, your infant’s care and safety is of utmost importance. From screening potential caregivers to purchasing appropriate items for them, there’s plenty to keep an eye out for during their first year of life.
At first it may seem daunting but once you become used to life as a new parent and follow these safety tips for new parents, changes become easier in your home environment. Many people opt to hire a certified baby planner in order to learn best practices for creating the safest environment for their infant. Consider reading self-help books as well as consulting professionals so you can ensure the wellbeing of your infant.