Safety

Protecting your newborn is one of your most important jobs as a new parent. Here, you will find some helpful tips on car seat safety, pet safety and more. Go to our sleep section to learn more about sleep safety and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Consider taking an infant CPR/First Aid class. Hopefully, you will never need these skills, but you may save the life of your baby or someone else’s if an emergency situation arises.

Car seat safety:

• Be sure your car seat is new and installed properly. Many fire and police departments offer car seat safety clinics; check with your local department.
• Never place your child’s car seat in front of an airbag. The explosive power of an opening airbag can shatter a car seat and crush your baby.
• Do not take your baby out of his car seat while the vehicle is moving, even if he’s crying. Pull over first and then check on your baby.
• Do not add padding to the car seat. It could entrap her head or constrict her breathing.
• Do not hang anything like toys in front of the car seat. These can swing and hit the baby in the event of an accident.
• Have an adult sit in the back seat on long trips to ensure that your baby’s head does not fall forward and constrict her breathing.

Learn more about the recommendations on car seats for children from The American Academy of Pediatrics here.

Pet safety:

• Never leave your baby alone with your pet.
• Do not allow your pets to sleep with your baby.
• Talk to your veterinarian or dog trainer about introducing your dog to your newborn.

Please call us immediately if your newborn:

• Becomes droopy, excessively sleepy, or lethargic.
• Has a temperature over 100.3 or less than 97 degrees.
• Refuses to eat.
• Does not have 4 to 6 wet diapers and 2 to 5 stools every 24 hours.
• Has trouble breathing.
• Turns pale, gray or blue in the face.
• Coughs frequently.
• Vomits or chokes while feeding.
• Cries constantly and cannot be consoled.
• Develops yellow or orange skin color, or yellow eyes.
• Develops redness, swelling, or pus from the base of the umbilical cord.
• Has redness, worsening swelling, or pus from the circumcised penis.
• Does not drop the PlastiBell circumcision ring within 10 days, or if the ring falls down the shaft of the penis.
• If any other concerns arise that worry you.