A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

Infant Safety
Issues about safety and childproofing your home will continue to change as your baby grows. The following tips are
helpful during your baby’s first few months.
Safety For 0-2 Mounth Old
• Preventing Infant Abduction
Consider that it is no longer as safe as it once was
to place your baby’s birth announcement in the
newspaper or display outdoor decorations on your
home. Never leave your baby unsupervised for any
reason. Keep him in view at all times in public places,
and do not leave him alone in a parked car.
• Emergency Numbers
Place emergency numbers by your telephone
(doctor, poison control center and ambulance). In
Dane County, dial 911 to contact the police, fire
department or ambulance.
• Smoke Alarms/Carbon Monoxide Detector
If you don’t already have them, now is a good time
to install smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide
detector in your home. Regularly check and change
the batteries.
• Window Blind Cords
Long, dangling pull cords for window coverings
can present a danger for young children. Check
cords to be sure there are no dangerous loops in
which a curious child could become entangled
or possibly strangle. You can easily correct this
problem by installing tassels especially designed
for this purpose. Tassels are available from some
window-covering retailers. For more information,
check with your health care provider.
• Cribs
Some older cribs have large openings between
slats and are not safe. When babies begin to move
about, they may become trapped and badly injured
between the slats. For your baby’s safety, measure
the space between the slats. There should be less
than 2 3/8” between each slat.
• Smoking
We advise all mothers of newborns and young
children to stop smoking, and not expose an
infant or child to smoke in your home or car.
Children exposed in their early ages to the effects
of nicotine and cigarette smoke are more likely to
develop breathing and asthma problems. If you
need help to quit smoking, please talk to a health
care provider. The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line
offers free support and information about how
to quit smoking. Call 1-877-270-7867 for more
information.
• Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can impair your ability to care for
your baby safely. Have a back-up plan when you
are unable to provide safe care for your infant.
• Bath Safety
Set your water heater to a maximum of 120° F to
prevent hot water burns. Bath water should not
be more than 100° F. Always provide direct adult
supervision when children are near water.
Preparing Your Pet For Baby
Although most pets adjust to having a new baby in
the household, many initially experience something
like sibling rivalry. The following suggestions may
help your pet adjust to your new baby.
• Before you bring your baby home, have your
husband/partner take something (such as a
blanket) with the baby’s scent on it for your pet to
investigate.
• Be prepared for a pet that is eager to greet you
and receive attention when you return home from
the hospital. If possible, have someone other than
mom carry your baby into the house.
• Less attention or increased scolding may make
your pet feel stressed as it adjusts to your new
baby. Spend quality time with your pet each day.
• Reward your pet with treats for appropriate
behavior.
Closely supervise your pet around the baby not only
in the early weeks, but also as your baby becomes
more mobile and curious about the pet.
For more information go to www.petsforlife.org.
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