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HAVE YOU HAD
YOUR CHECK UP?
YOUR CHECK UP?
Each year we hear more and more about babies dying. The puzzling question we ask ourselves is how and why is this happening so often? Part of the reason is that parents are falling asleep with their babies in the bed with them. Sadly, babies are either rolled over on or they roll over themselves and get trapped or suffocate.
--They get stuck between the bed and the wall
--They get stuck the bed and a table/dresser
--They get their heads stuck in between bedpost that are on head and foot boards
They can also roll out of the bed and the impact with the floor can cause serious damage. Not only can the fall be harmful but also any objects on the floor such as clothes, plastic bags, and or other soft objects can suffocate the baby. The safest place for babies under the age of one is a crib that has current safety approvals. Always use the mattress that comes with crib. The mattress should fit tightly in the crib so that the baby cannot get trapped in between the mattress and crib. Be sure not to use soft bedding because it has been shown that soft bedding in a crib is a result of suffocation as well. Soft bedding is:
--Pillows
--Blankets
--Quilts
The mattress sheet should be tight fitting as well. Also avoid an abundance of stuffed animals in the crib. Always place the baby on its back and never it’s tummy when putting the baby to bed. This is important because if young babies can breathe on their bellies they don’t have the ability to roll over yet to relieve the pressure on their bellies.
The most important thing here is the safety of our babies. While it may be hard to allow your baby to sleep away from you or it may be easier to have them in the bed with you for those late night feedings and diaper changes it is not safe for them because YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN. Even when you think you will be aware of what you’re doing just remind yourself of the risk your taking with your baby’s life.
Here are some more important crib safety tips:
--No missing, loose, broken or improperly installed screws, brackets or other hardware on the crib or mattress support.
--No more than 2 3/8 inches (about the width of a soda can) between crib slats so a baby's body cannot fit through the slats; no missing or cracked slats.
--No corner posts over 1/16th inch high so a baby's clothing cannot catch.
--No cutouts in the headboard or foot board so a baby's head cannot get trapped.
For more information please visit www.womenshealth.gov.
www.cpsc.gov
www.cpsc.gov