Safety Tips for Infants

Safety Tips for Infants

Infant Choking

Babies choke on food and toys, slip under the water in the tub or a pool. If your baby is ever choking you’ll want to know what to do.

Below is a guideline that will explain the Infant Heimlich but please don’t rely on it as your sole source of information. Set aside a few hours to take a class to learn and practice the proper techniques.

The following instructions are for babies younger than 12 months old. 

If your baby is coughing let her continue to cough.  If your baby is coughing that means they are breathing so “let them cough it out”.

If your baby is suddenly unable to cry or cough, something may be blocking her airway, and you’ll need to help her get it out. She may make odd noises or no sound at all while opening her mouth and her skin may turn blue.

Try to dislodge the object with back slaps and chest thrusts.

1-Carefully position the baby facedown on your forearm with your hand supporting her head and neck. Rest the arm holding your baby on your thigh.

2– Support your baby so that her head is lower than the rest of her body. With the heel of your hand, give her five firm back slaps between her shoulder blades. 

3– Place your free hand on the back of your baby’s head. Carefully turn her over supporting the head. Support your baby face up with your forearm resting on your thigh, still keeping her head lower than the rest of her body.

4-Place the pads of two fingers just below an imaginary line running between your baby’s nipples. To give a chest thrust, push straight down on the chest  

5-Give five chest thrusts. 

Continue the sequence of five back slaps and five chest thrusts until the object is forced out or your baby starts to cough. At 1 minute if you are unable to expel the object call 911. If your baby becomes unconscious at any time you must stop and begin CPR.

Potential choking hazards

Any toy or object small enough to fit through a toilet paper tube

Coins (especially pennies), Uninflated rubber balloons, Hair berets, Toys with small detachable parts,

Marbles, safety pins, tacks, jewelry, buttons

Grapes, Popcorn, raw carrots (and other raw vegetables), raisins, nuts, hard candies, uncooked peas, hot dogs, peanut butter 

 

How to handle falls

My baby fell off the couch. What should I do?

Whenever your baby takes a tumble — such as a bed, couch infant seat or stroller. These falls are usually only 1 to 2 feet high, and almost never result in any significant injury, even if onto a hard floor.

What type of falls to worry about

Falls from a height greater than 3 feet, such as a counter top, high chair, changing table, or table can result in injury, especially if onto a hard floor.

The first thing to do when your child falls is to relax. Most falls are NOT serious. Kids are very resilient. Most falls seem worse than they really are, and usually do not require a call to your doctor or a trip to the ER.

If your baby looks okay and is acting normally continue to carefully observe your baby for the next 24 hours,

Take your baby to the emergency room or talk to a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:  Irritability, Sleepy, Confused, Vomiting or Difficulty Walking.

Steps to follow if your baby falls and has a possible injury to there Head, Neck or Spine.

1-If you are not alone send someone to call 911

2– If you are alone assess your situation:

*If your baby is alert hold there head and neck so that they don’t move, bend or twist.

Call 911

3– Only turn or move your baby if:

* The baby is in danger.
* If the baby is unresponsive and you need to check for breathing or open there airway.

4– If you must turn your baby, be sure to roll them while you support the baby’s head, neck and body in a straight line so they do not twist or bend.

5– If your baby does not respond start the steps of CPR then call 911

 

Safety Tips to prevent Falls

  • Keep chairs, cribs and other furniture away from windows.
  • Don’t leave a baby alone on a changing table, bed, couch or other furniture. Keep one hand on the baby while changing diapers.
  • Always strap a baby into a high chair, swing, changing table or strollers.
  • Get rid of hazards in the home like folded carpets, electric wires or cords on the floor, and unlit stairways.
  • Use safety gates or other barriers at the top and bottom of stairs.

 

Nursery safety tips

How can I make sure my baby’s bedroom is safe? 

Crib Safety

By following these guidelines it can help to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

 

  • Place your baby to sleep on his or her BACK at naptime and night time
  • Use a safety approved crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress
  • Remove all soft bedding, stuffed toys and other soft items from the crib. Including soft or pillow type bumpers, wedges and postioners.  
  • Use a Sleep Sack  wearable blanket to replace loose blankets in your baby’s crib
  • DO NOT put your baby to sleep on any soft surface such as sofas, chairs, water beds and quilts.
  • Room sharing is safer than bed sharing
  • DO NOT over dress your baby for sleep. Room temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit
  • DO NOT let anyone smoke around your baby or be in a room where someone has recently smoked
  • Educate relatives, baby sitters and other caregivers about these important safety tips
  • Use a pacifier at a nap and nighttime.

When your baby is on the changing table keep a hand on your child at all times, even when using the safety belt.

Make sure drapery’s, blind cords and baby monitor cords are out of reach. Loose cords can strangle children. Keep the cords tied up high with no loops.