bouncers, and carriers all have age and weight guidelines—don’t exceed them. Mobile Baby (6–12 Months): Crawlers & Cruisers Once your baby is on the move, everything becomes fair game. Crawlers love cords, cabinets, and anything they can pull up on. Creating safe zones and being consistent with boundaries helps your baby explore while keeping risks low. ■ Babyproof at their level: Get on your hands and knees to spot sharp corners, cords, and breakables within reach. ■ Lock it up: Use cabinet locks for anything with cleaning products, medicine, or sharp tools. ■ Gate it off: Use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs and block off rooms you don’t want baby entering solo. Toddling & Beyond (12 Months+) With a little more independence comes new safety concerns. Toddlers are climbers, explorers, and fast movers, so your job be- comes anticipating risks and teaching basic safety skills along the way.
■ Safe sleep matters: Always place baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface like a crib or bassinet. ■ Car seat check: Make sure your infant car seat is installed correctly. Many fire stations, police stations, and hospitals offer free checks. ■ Avoid overheating: Dress baby in one more layer than you would wear and skip thick blankets. Infant Stage (3–6 Months): Reaching & Rolling Your little one is starting to move— maybe rolling, grabbing, or sitting with support. That curiosity leads to new risks. It’s time to reassess your surroundings and stay a step ahead of their growing mobility and curiosity. ■ Keep small objects out of reach: Anything that fits through a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard. ■ Update floor safety: Babies will soon start rolling! Keep floors clean and clear of hazards like coins, batteries, or small toys from older siblings. ■ Check baby gear weight limits: Swings,
■ Strap it down: Secure dressers, book- shelves, and other climbable furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs. ■ Watch for water: Drowning can happen in just inches of water—never leave a toddler unattended near tubs, toilets, or buckets. Also, make sure pools are fenced in and secured. Empty kiddie pools and water play areas. ■ Keep exploring safe: Teach basic safety like staying away from ovens, not touching outlets, and gentle pet interaction. Bonus Safety Tips for All Ages No matter how old your baby is, a few safety strategies apply across the board. Having a plan, staying calm, and trusting your instincts can help you respond to the unexpected with confidence. ■ Know emergency numbers: Have pedi- atrician, poison control, and emergency contacts saved in your phone and posted. ■ Take an infant CPR class: This can be life-saving knowledge—and help you feel more confident. ■ Trust your gut: If something feels off, ask questions, call your pediatrician, or get a second opinion.
FALL 2025 | PINK&BLUE
17
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease