New babies are fragile. Human babies are born somewhat underdeveloped compared to the rest of the animal world—the result of our larger-in-size brains—and that means they need looking after in ways that many animals do not. They can’t move independently, see very well, communicate their needs, and have immune systems that rely on the antibodies they’ve received from their mothers, especially in those early days and weeks. There are a lot of things that need to be kept in mind from a health and safety perspective when dealing with young children – so let’s have a look at some of them.
Hand Hygiene
While this is of particular importance with newborns, it’s a good habit to have in general. Before touching a baby—especially someone else’s—make sure you’ve washed your hands well. It’s also a good idea when meeting other people’s babies to keep in mind whether you’ve been sick. What is little more than a runny nose for you could be much more serious in a newborn, so if you haven’t been well, maybe save the cuddles for next time. And even if you haven’t been noticeably ill, a quick blast of some hand sanitiser is a great idea. It doesn’t take much for a new baby to pick up germs, especially in those first 6-12 weeks, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The same goes for parents after things like nappy changes. Making it part of your routine to thoroughly wash your hands before and after goes a long way to keeping both you and your little one healthy – just make sure to invest in a good moisturiser to keep your hands from drying out!
Safe Sleep
Safe sleep guidelines should be available no matter where in the world you are, and you may have been given information by your midwife or other maternity care professional both before and after your baby is born. Sleeping in their own bed, on their back, and on a firm mattress are just a few of the key recommendations to keep your little one safe during sleep times.
Baby-proofing
What you do to baby-proof your home will largely depend on the specifics of your home, but there are a few fairly universal things. This becomes ever more important as bubs grows and becomes more adventurous. That said, there are a few major things you can do to keep your baby safe – though major doesn’t in any way mean complicated or expensive. In fact, much of it is reasonably quick and easy to do! First off, make sure your electrical sockets are covered. Most hardware & DIY stores sell inexpensive caps that can go into any unused sockets, preventing your curious little one from putting anything into them. Second, make sure your furniture is secured. Brackets for bookshelves and sets of drawers can also be bought for only a small cost, which means if you’ve got a daredevil in the house, you’ve got time to swoop them away from the bookcase as they try climbing before it has a chance to fall. Most freestanding ovens and similar appliances also come with what you need to fix them to the wall – it’s worth doing so, as it’s surprising how common it is for toddlers to try using them as stairs. Third, keep small, dangerous or precious objects out of reach. This can include anything that could be a choking hazard, medications and cleaning products, and anything you really don’t want them to accidentally break. Latches for cupboards they can reach, and gates to keep them away from stairs are also easy to find, and often inexpensive. Finally, keep anything from dangling down from higher up. Included in this list would be things like long tablecloths or charging and power cables – items like that are almost irresistible to small hands. To little eyes, they may seem like the perfect things to pull themselves up with, which can lead instead to them pulling objects down onto them.
Feeding
Even if you’re breastfeeding, you still might find that you want a night off – in which case, expressing milk and storing it for later is a great idea. Grab a pump and something to store your milk in, such as a Silicone Milk Storage Bag, and you’re set. However, you still need to take care when warming it back up. The temptation to put your expressed milk in the microwave can be great, but it’s not recommended. Microwaves can overheat the milk and destroy some of those wonderful nutrients your body has worked so hard to make. Instead, fill a container with warm—not hot— water, pop the bottle in, and let it gently heat. Always check the temperature before you feed your baby. Give the bottle a bit of a swirl to make sure the heat is evenly distributed, then test a few drops on the inside of your wrist. The milk should be around the same as your body temperature – the same as it would be if they were feeding straight from the breast. In addition, storing your milk comes with a few guidelines, too – and what exactly they are will depend on where in the world you are, as different environments and governments will affect the advice. In New Zealand, storage guidelines are as follows:
Room temperature (<26°C): No more than four hours.
Refrigerator (2-4°C): 72 hours
Freezer box in a fridge: 2 weeks
Fridge/Freezer with a separate door: 3-6 months
Deep Freeze: 6-12 months
After these times, the milk should be discarded. When storing in the fridge or freezer, it should be kept towards the back as far as possible, as the temperature there is much more stable than nearer the door.
Sun
Possibly not one everyone immediately thinks of, but important to think of regardless – particularly for those in high sun intensity areas (such as New Zealand and Australia). Baby skin is notoriously delicate, so it takes very little to begin burning. It can sometimes be challenging to find sunscreens suitable for skin that new, so the solution here is to avoid direct sunlight where possible – try lightweight but full-length clothing (making sure to avoid overheating) and the use of shades.
Car Seats
We have an earlier blog going into more detail about baby seats, but it’s always good to remember that they need to meet safety standards (indicated by stickers showing a red tick, E number, or S mark—see the linked blog for more details). It’s also essential to have this arranged before you go to the hospital, if possible, as you won’t be able to get home without a safe, properly installed seat.
This is a quick glimpse at some of the things you may have to think about before you have your baby. Depending on your family’s circumstances, you may have other things that will also be important. Speaking to your maternity carer will be an excellent way to determine what you need, so don’t be shy about asking. And if you’re ever worried about your child’s general health and well-being, see your family medical professional – they can help you through any concerns you have.