Best Baby Proofing - Sleep Safety and First Aid

Baby Proofing in Sleep

 

In my previous articles, I have mentioned about child safety at home. I have also written articles on baby sleep. Today I thought lets share something about best way of baby proofing, child sleep safety and first aids.

As you know, we, the adults, sleep everyday and its part of our routine life that is why we do not think more about it for ourselves. However, because of the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), you should give careful thought to how and where baby sleeps. Though medical researchers have not found one specific cause of SIDS, they have determined several factors that most likely contribute to these tragic infant deaths. As a result, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development have developed the following safe bedding practices for infants:

• Place baby on her back on a firm, tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.
• Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib.
• Don't let baby overheat during sleep. Dress her in light sleep clothing and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
• Make sure baby's head remains uncovered during sleep.
• Do not place baby on a waterbed, sofa, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep.

In addition to the guidelines above for child sleep safety and best way of baby proofing, let’s talk about some first aids for baby proofing.

First Aid

Baby proofing is a great way to prevent accidents but should the unthinkable happen, it's best to be prepared. Though each child and home is different, the following guidelines should help keep baby safe.

Poison

• Have a list of important telephone numbers, including poison control, 911, your pediatrician etc. by every phone in the house.
• If baby ingests a dangerous and potentially poisonous substance, bring its container to the phone and immediately call your local poison control center. You will probably be asked to list the ingredients it contains and will be advised what steps to take. Do not try to induce vomiting without checking with poison control first. 
• If you are advised by poison control to go to the hospital, take the container of what your child swallowed with you.

Choking

• Learn to identify if your child is choking: if an object or piece of food becomes lodged in baby's windpipe, she will probably cough, wheeze, gag, or drool. If the object is completely blocking her airway, she will not be able to talk or cry and her face will turn blue.
• Do not try to remove an object unless you can actually see it. Blindly sweeping through her mouth with your fingers might result in pushing the object further down her airway.
• If you suspect your child is choking, call 911 immediately.

Burns

• If a burn occurs, immediately plunge the burned area into cool water (never ice). Cover the burn with a cold, moist cloth for 15 minutes.
• Call your doctor to determine how to treat burns. First degree burns, characterized by mild redness, warmth, and discomfort, and second degree burns, which blister and ooze, can generally be treated at home with the advice of a physician. Third degree burns, characterized by charred skin, will need medical attention and must be treated at the hospital.

I hope the above child/baby safety and proofing guidelines will help you take right action at right time.

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