Baby's Skin Burns Easily–-Treat It With Care!
Your baby's skin burns easier than yours. Hot liquids cause many scald burns. Here are some tips to help avoid burns:
• Turn down your water heater thermostat to 120°.
• Test the bath water with your elbow to make sure it's lukewarm, not hot.
• Don't drink hot liquids, such as coffee or tea, while your baby is in your arms or lap.
• Heat bottles in a pan of hot water, not a microwave. Check the temperature on your inner wrist.
Learn how to prevent scalds and burns, visit: www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/preventing-scald-burns.
Reduce the Risk of Your Infant Dying During Sleep
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is when a baby who seems healthy dies in his or her sleep. There is no warning and often we don't know why the baby died. Sometimes babies die from accidental suffocation or smothering while they sleep. Create a safe sleeping place for your baby to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following steps to create a safe sleep zone for your baby:
- Place your baby on his or her back to sleep at night and for naps. Give your baby "tummy time" when awake and watched by an adult.
- Keep your baby warm but not hot. Dress him or her warm enough to sleep without covers. A light sleep sack works great.
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Baby’s bed should be a firm crib mattress and fitted sheet. Keep blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and toys out of the crib.
- Never put your baby on a waterbed, heated bed, or a mattress that doesn't fit the bed.
- No one should smoke or vape around your baby. The risk of SIDS is higher for babies whose mothers smoked while pregnant. Babies exposed to cigarette or e-cigarette smoke may also be at a higher risk for SIDS. For help quitting smoking, call 1-800-784-8669 (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or visit www.smokefree.gov.
- Breastfeeding may reduce your baby's risk of SIDs.
The AAP and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends keeping your baby's sleep area in your bedroom for at least the first six months. Place your baby's crib, bassinet, or portable crib close to your bed. Babies should not sleep in your bed. Keep stuffed animals, blankets, and loose bedding out of his or her crib. If you swaddle your baby make sure he or she is put to sleep on his or her back. When your baby starts trying to roll over, stop swaddling.
Tell everyone who cares for your baby about safe sleep. For more information, call the Northwest Infant Survival & SIDS Alliance at 1-800-533-0376 or visit www.nwsids.org for information and resources.
Buckle Up Your Baby on Every Ride
Make sure your baby is always buckled up safely in the back seat of your vehicle. Here are some tips to make sure your baby is buckled up safely:
- Buckle your baby correctly into a car seat on every ride. Follow the car seat directions and read the vehicle owner's manual.
- Make sure the car seat faces the rear of the vehicle.
- Always put your baby in the backseat of your car. A baby riding in the front seat can be datally injured by a passenger-side air bag. If you must place your baby in the front seat only do so with the air bag turned off.
If you have an old or used car seat, there may be hidden dangers. Contact The Safety Restraint Coalition for tips on choosing a safe car seat and find out about recalls.
Contact The Safety Restraint Coalition at 1-800-BUCK-L-UP or visit www.800bucklup.org for more information.