#1 - Dangerous Swaddling and SIDS
Causes of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) remain largely unknown, but swaddling your baby in the wrong way could turn out to be fatal for the little angel. In one instance, a first-time mother swaddled her baby and left him sleeping on his stomach, and then she also laid down for a nap.
The 4-months old baby was unconscious when the mother woke up. He had tragically died of suffocation, and the poor young mother ended up in court for negligence leading to SIDS.
Swaddled babies - especially those who can't sit down on their own yet - MUST always be placed on the back since it's hard for them to roll over or lift their heads with their hands tucked inside a blanket.
#2 - Fatal Mistakes During Cleaning Time
Babies are not bathed in the tub (or sink) until they are at least a few weeks old - or their navel (umbilical stump) is completely healed. It takes a while for some babies to get used to the sensations of a soothing bath, but they all learn to love it eventually. However, baths might also become dangerous for babies if the mother is not careful or gets distracted. Drowning is so easy for babies, which is why moms MUST NEVER leave their babies alone in the water.
Moms MUST also check the water temperature ALWAYS before placing the baby into the infant tub for a bath. One of the few mistakes new moms make is forgetting to confirm if the water is at the right temperature for the baby's sensitive skin. Babies can get scalded easily by hot water.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that their bath water is always between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (close to body temperature). Mothers without a standard thermometer can use their elbows rather than their hands to check and confirm if the water is safe for the baby.
#3 - Over-Diluting the Baby Formula
Study findings from the CCHMC (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center) showed that "Formula stretching" (watering down the baby formula) is a common practice among families with severe financial constraints. Some mothers prefer to skip feedings in order to stretch out the formula.
However, while this may seem like an ingenious plan to get over tough times, babies undergoing such situations are at risk of developing poor judgment, as well as memory and behavioral problems.
Therefore, moms who are unable to provide enough food for their babies are advised to reach out for help from churches, pregnancy help centers, or local food stores. Seeking help from other parents on Facebook groups is also another great option that has worked for countless moms around the globe.
#4 - Breastfeeding While in Bed
Moms with newborns are often deprived of sleep. It is very common for young moms to find themselves dozing off at the most inopportune times, such as during breastfeeding. Nevertheless, while getting a little sleep as you breastfeed your baby is tempting, it could be potentially dangerous for your precious baby.
The dangers of slipping into pillows or sheets are very real, and Kristin Hoffmann from Indianapolis has firsthand experience. Her son accidentally slipped off her breast during breastfeeding and crawled into a pile of sheets. That was the last time she breastfed her son on the bed, or ever again!
#5 - Baby Sleeping with Blankets and Pillows in the Crib
As clearly revealed in Kristin's case above, pillows and blankets are not a baby's best friend. Statistics show that SIDS is one of the leading causes of infant death in the United States. Over 3000 infant deaths are reported each year.
Consequently, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has set a guideline for safe baby sleep, and it recommends that babies should be laid down on their back when sleeping, and the crib should be cleared of all toys, pillows, crib bumpers, and blankets.
According to the AAP, babies are more likely to suffocate on the extra comfort items placed in cribs such as toys or warm blankets. To avoid such tragic events, moms are advised to dress their babies in warm sleepers and keep the rooms warm enough for the baby to sleep comfortably.
#6 - Paying Little Attention to Infant/Baby Car Seats
There
are numerous complications associated with car seat installations.
Setting up the car seat correctly keeps the baby safe during normal
travel or in case of an accident. Parents should ensure that they follow
the instructions manual by actually reading all the steps provided.
Getting a second opinion from a professional is also highly recommended.
Your car seat can be inspected by a
member of the police department, an employee at Babies-R-Us or Help Me Grow, a knowledgeable hospital staff member, or a member of the fire
department. Car seat inspection can be done before or after the baby is
born.
