4 Common Baby Safety Mistakes
Happy September Baby Safety Month, mamas and papas! At LeapFrog, baby safety is one of our top priorities. To help you keep your little ones safe and secure, we’ve compiled this list of common baby safety mistakes that could put your child at risk of getting hurt.
1. Having loose bedding, blankets, and pillows in baby’s crib
It’s easy to think having lots of soft bedding and pillows can make your child’s crib more comfy and cozy, maybe even cushioning potential falls. However, these things can actually increase a baby’s chances of suffocation and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, opt for a clean, clutter-free crib.
2. Putting your baby in a front facing car seat
It may seem logical to have your baby’s car seat face the front since that is the natural position for adult passengers, but a rear-facing seat is much safer for babies under the age of two. That’s because infant bodies are not strong enough to absorb great amounts of force, and rear-facing car seats are much better at absorbing most of the crash forces.
3. Microwaving your baby’s bottles
For a lot of us, the microwave is our go-to method of heating up our food. However, it is not a good idea for heating baby bottles. As you may have noticed when microwaving your own food, many microwaves heat unevenly. When you microwave bottles, it can create "hot spots" that can burn your baby's mouth. Instead, submerge the bottle in a bowl of warm water or run it under warm running tap water. Make sure you test the temperature on your hand or wrist before feeding it to your baby.
4. Using an improper baby walker
We all want our babies to learn how to walk and explore the world, and many parents decide a walker could help do that. However, if you decide to use a walker, make sure to avoid saucer-shaped ones with wheels that strap your child in. That’s because these walkers allow babies to move much faster than they can control, often resulting in them falling down stairs or tipping over. Instead, choose one that your child simply pushes around (ideally once they are more in control of their own feet) such as models offered by LeapFrog.
