001_mo_guide.html

• Use an infant car seat that is properly secured at all times.
• Ensure that the baby's crib is safe. The slats should be no more than 5.8 cm apart, and the mattress should be firm and fit snugly into the crib. Keep the sides of the crib raised. Do not put the baby to sleep on a soft surface such as a waterbed, couch, or pillow.
• Put the baby to sleep on his back or side to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is a relatively new recommendation based on large population studies in Europe and Australia where the incidence of SIDS was reduced by approximately 50% just by changing the baby's sleeping position.
• Set the hot water thermostat at 49 degrees Celsius or less to decrease the potential for serious burn injuries to the baby.
• Test the water temperature with your wrist to make sure it is not too hot before bathing the baby.
• Never leave the baby alone or with a young sibling or pet.
• Do not leave him alone in a tub of water or on high places such as changing tables, beds, sofas, or chairs. Always keep one hand on the baby.
• Continue to keep the baby's environment free of smoke. Keep the home and car nonsmoking zones. Passive smoking has been shown to be a causative factor in upper respiratory infections such as ear infections as well as being detrimental to the lungs of the child of any age.
• Do not drink hot liquids or smoke while holding the baby. Babies can easily cause spillage of the hot liquid resulting in severe burn injuries to themselves and/or you. Likewise, they can easily get burned by a lighted cigarette or cigar by accidentally touching the smoking material.
• Install smoke detectors if not already in place and make sure they work properly. Test the detector regularly and change batteries yearly.
• Avoid overexposure to the sun. Babies are very susceptible to heat exhaustion and to severe sunburn injuries. When outdoors, babies should be dressed in white or light-colored clothing, a hat, and some type of eye protection. Sunscreens are not recommended for children less than 6 months of age. Extra fluids should be given if the baby will need to be outdoors for any length of time.