Making your home safe

In getting your home ready for your baby, you should recognize that babies learn by touching, feeling, turning, reaching and experimenting. Your baby will begin learning this way almost immediately.

The following safety precautions should be taken immediately.
To avoid slipping while carrying the baby, make sure carpeting on stairs is securely fastened, and avoid loose rugs in high-traffic areas.
Be sure toys are sturdy, non-toxic, washable and made of materials that do not burn easily. Toys that are large, soft and have no removable small parts are best. Toys sold in Canada must comply with federal regulations.
Keep pins (e.g., large diaper pins), needles, buttons, coins, marbles and disc (e.g., watch or hearing aid) batteries out of reach and in safe containers.
Be sure soothers or pacifiers are made in one piece so they can't break apart into smaller fragments. Also, make sure they are large enough not to be swallowed. Examine them daily and throw them away if they are cracked, show signs of wear, or if the texture or colour changes. Cords and ties must not be attached to soothers and placed around a baby or child's neck.
Keep all small objects out of the crib and out of reach.
Never leave your baby alone on a table, couch or bed.
Even an adult bed with guard rails is dangerous since an infant can slip through the rails or become caught. To be absolutely safe, put your baby down on the floor.
Never leave your baby alone with a toddler, with a pet, with a bottle propped in the mouth (danger of choking) or on a waterbed (danger of suffocation).
Never hold the baby while smoking, drinking a hot drink, cooking or handling a hot utensil.
Never shake or throw your baby. Shaking can seriously injure a baby's neck or cause brain damage, blindness, paralysis, mental retardation, and seizures. Some babies die from being shaken. If you feel angry or afraid that you might hurt your baby, put the child down somewhere safe, and call someone to help you right away. Do not care for your baby when you are angry. Call your doctor, public health nurse, public health clinic, a support person or a crisis line for help.
Keep your baby in a safe crib with the sides up, or in a playpen, when not being handled. The crib should be kept away from long mobiles, blinds or curtain cords to avoid the danger of strangulation.
Make sure all baby equipment meets safety standards. For more information, see the Canadian Health Network website at www.canadian-health-network.ca, and search under “safety”.
Be aware of the first aid procedure for dealing with choking. Courses on basic first aid and baby and home safety may be available through community centres, St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross. Check with your public health nurse for courses available in your area.
Keep your poison information centre or hospital number posted along with other emergency numbers so that you have quick access to them in an emergency.
Install smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher, and plan an escape route to help you and your baby get out safely in case of fire.
To prevent burns, maintain the temperature in your hot water heater at less than 54.5°C (120°F). Test the bath water with an elbow or forearm. It should feel just warm, not hot.
Remove PVC mini-blinds from your home. The blinds pose a lead hazard to children under 6 years of age.
Never leave your baby unattended in your car while you do errands.
Use caution when allowing strangers into your home. Service personnel should always produce ID. Public health nurses will call to make appointments and should be wearing identification when visiting.

Safe sleeping

You need to carefully choose where your baby sleeps. There are many ways to help you and your baby sleep well and safely.

Co-sleeping refers to the sleeping arrangement where the infant sleeps in the same room as a parent, but not in the same bed.
Bedsharing means the baby shares the same sleep surface with another person, usually a parent. In many areas of the world it is a common practice for mothers to sleep with their babies so they can watch them, breastfeed them, and be near them.

You need to know the benefits and risks of co-sleeping and bedsharing and consider them each time you choose where your baby sleeps. Having your baby share your room, particularly at night, may help lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Being close can also help to calm your baby if he is unsettled.

You should not share a bed with your baby if you (or any other person in the bed):

have been drinking alcohol or using drugs
have taken any medicines that could make you extra sleepy
are very tired, to the point where you would not be able to respond to your baby
are ill or have a medical condition that might make it difficult to respond to your baby
are a smoker, or your baby is exposed to second-hand smoke
have long hair that is not tied back
are unusually heavy (obese)

For more information, see the Safety and Sleeping section in Baby’s Best Chance: Parents’ Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care .

Shaken baby syndrome

Never shake, hit, or throw your baby, ever. It only takes a moment to change your life-and your baby's life-forever. If you feel angry or afraid that you may hurt your baby, put your baby down somewhere safe and call someone to help you right away. Do not try to care for your baby when you are angry. Call your doctor, public health nurse, or a crisis line for help.

If you have shaken your baby, call your doctor right away. Don't lay your baby down hoping that he will be better after a rest. Delaying medical help can cause more harm to your baby. Do not shake your baby if they are choking or need resuscitation; this will only make him worse.