Medical Information for Infant Safety

Accidental injuries and poisoning carry a higher mortality than all diseases in the 1–10 year age group. Although less mobile, even young infants can be hurt in accidents and a few precautions are in order:

1. ALWAYS USE AN APPROVED CHILD SAFETY CAR SEAT that has been properly installed when traveling in any motor vehicle. Although it may feel safe, never hold your infant in your arms in the car. No matter how strong you are, the force of even a minor crash will propel the infant from you, perhaps with fatal consequences. This applies to the first ride home from the hospital, so you should have the car seat ready in the car when you get picked up to go home.
    
2. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY ON TOP OF ANYTHING, even briefly — changing table, adult bed, dresser, counter top — it is too easy for them to roll off on to the floor.
    
3. NEVER LEAVE A BOTTLE PROPPED IN THE BABY'S MOUTH — Your baby may have no way to get the bottle out and could choke on milk coming out too quickly.
    
4. DON'T HEAT BABY BOTTLES IN THE MICROWAVE — The contents can get fire-hot while the bottle stays relatively cool and the contents can heat unevenly — some parts remain cold, others too hot.
    
5. NEVER GIVE YOUR INFANT MEDICINE PRESCRIBED FOR ANYONE ELSE, especially an older child. Newborns can tolerate only very small quantities of medicines and must be treated cautiously.
    
6. NEVER LEAVE AN INFANT ALONE IN A BATH, HIGH CHAIR, OR CAR.
    
7. KEEP THE CRIB SLATS NO MORE THAN 2–3/8 INCHES APART AND THE SIDE RAILS HIGH AND SECURE. Move the mattress down as the baby grows and learns to pull up.
    
8. NEVER PUT ANY NECKLACES, RIBBONS OR STRINGS AROUND YOUR INFANTS NECK. They can easily become twisted and strangle your baby.
    
9. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY UNDER THE CARE OF A YOUNG SIBLING, EVEN IF IT'S JUST A FEW SECONDS.
    
10. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE IN THE HOUSE OR CAR. If you leave your baby alone in a room, make sure you are able to hear him/her.