Baby's Care and Development
Safety tips

For Newborns

• Bring your baby home from the hospital in an approved car safety seat and use it on every ride. Your baby should be in a rear-facing infant or convertible car safety seat from birth to 20 pounds.
• Be sure your baby's crib is safe. Crib slats should be 2 3/8 inches apart or less. The space between the mattress and the crib sides should be less than the width of two fingers.
• Keep the crib and playpen away from drapery and blind cords; your baby might strangle on them. To avoid blocking your baby's breathing, do not keep pillows, large floppy toys or loose plastic sheeting in the crib.
• Check with your baby's doctor about sleep positioning. Most babies should be placed on their back to sleep. Babies who sleep in that position are less likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
• Babies should sleep in cribs or on firm surfaces. Never put your baby down to sleep on a pillow, cushion, bean bag chair, or in bed with you. Your baby may suffocate.
• Be gentle with your baby. Don't shake, swing or throw your baby in the air.
• Keep your newborn and the entire family safe by installing smoke detectors on every floor of your home, including the basement. Check smoke detectors once a month.
• Always check bath water temperature with your elbow before bathing your baby.
• Create a smoke-free home. Don't allow anyone to smoke in your home or car. Smokers should smoke outside, wash their hands and face and change their clothes before picking up your baby. For tips on how to deal with secondhand smoke, download Oh Baby! We want to keep you safe from secondhand smoke. (If this piece downloads too slowly, try the plain text version.)

For Older Babies

Babies who can turn over, crawl, pull themselves up or walk can get into trouble in no time at all.

• Keep an eye on your child at all times unless they are in a secure area (like a crib).
• Keep all medicines, cleaning supplies and houseplants out of your baby's reach.
• Do not store gasoline, kerosene or cleaning supplies in soda or milk bottles Post the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 phone number somewhere you can always see it.
• Never leave small objects where your baby can reach them. If swallowed, your baby might choke.
• To prevent falls, install and use safety gates at the top and the bottom of stairs
• Avoid the use of walkers - especially if there are stairs in the house.
• Cover unused outlets with safety caps or electrical tape to prevent electrical burns or shocks.
• To prevent drowning, never leave your baby alone in a bathtub or near other water (even water buckets). Keep the toilet lid down.
• When cooking, keep pot handles turned toward rear of stove. Never carry hot liquid or food while you are holding your baby.

Other Links

North Carolina

Vaccines for Children Program The N.C. Division of Public Health's fact sheet explains eligibility for this program and other information pertaining to reduced costs for required vaccines for children up to 19 years of age.

WIC Program Breastfeeding and Support WIC strives to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding among women enrolled in the Program.

Carolinas Poison Center - 1-800-222-1222

National

HEALTHYCHILDREN.ORG a new parenting Web site from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  The site includes general information related to child health plus more specific guidance on parenting issues and is promoted as "the only parenting Web site backed by 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults." 

For more health information, search MedlinePlus

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Last updated: October 2011