Smart Habits
Airway obstruction injuries are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for infants under age 1, according to Appy. So in addition to taking the above safety precautions in the crib, also pay attention to the following guidelines.
Never tie a pacifier around a baby's neck or attach it to her with a lanyard. "As babies get older they roll," says Appy. "Make sure nothing can become a noose."
Keep balloons away from baby. A latex balloon can pop and choke a baby; even Mylar balloons can tear and pose a choking hazard, she points out.
Always watch while your baby plays with rattles and other toys; never leave toys in the crib.
Don't ignore manufactures' age recommendations on toys. Hazards may not be readily apparent, but toys may have hidden or heavy parts that could hurt a baby. (For example, a toy maraca can pose a choking hazard if it is dropped and broken, releases its small beads.)
Change Up
You swear now you would never leave your baby unattended on the changing table. But after doing a dozen diaper changes every day for weeks, it's easy to slip - you need to grab some wipes out of a bottom drawer or quickly pick up an important call. "I turned away for not even a second when Matthew fell," says one new mom of her 4-month-old, who had rolled off the changing table, still strapped to his changing pad. When she picked up Matthew, he was unconscious. "He came to when I was on the phone to 911. I thank God that he was OK."
To keep your little one safe while changing:
Keep all changing essentials, such as wipes, diapers and ointment, in easy reach so you never have to step or bend away from the baby.
Make sure your changing pad is secure to the changing table's surface. Pick a changing table that comes with straps, or purchase them and install them.
Even if you have your baby strapped to the pad (and ideally, you
should), don't step away. If you must, carry the baby with you.
Baby Checklist