From 4 to 8 Months - Safety

Baby Your Baby

As your baby develops she may do things more quickly than you ever dreamed possible. Here are some rules to follow to protect your baby and prevent injury:

Falls

• Never leave baby on a table, bed, couch, or any other surface from which she could fall.
• Don't leave baby alone in an infant seat. Infant seats are lightweight and tip over easily.
• When baby is in a high chair, stroller or child safety seat, keep the harness or safety strap properly attached.

Burns

• Install smoke detectors and change batteries every 6 months.
• Cover unused electrical outlets with shock stoppers or safety caps. Keep electrical cords out of reach.
• Keep high chairs, playpens and infant seats away from stoves, work counters, radiators and furnaces.
• To avoid scalding, check bath water temperature with your elbow before putting baby in water.
• Set your water heater to its lowest or "warm" setting to ensure that the water temperature is no higher than 120° F.
• Keep hot liquids and hot foods out of baby's reach. Turn pot handles inward so pots cannot be pulled or knocked off of the stove.
• Don't smoke or let anyone smoke around baby.

Suffocation/drowning

• Keep plastic bags and sheeting out of baby's reach and sight.
• Make sure small objects like buttons, coins, or diaper pins are out of reach.
• Keep baby's crib away from drapery or venetian blind cords.
• Never prop a bottle in baby's mouth. She could spit up and breathe in the fluid.
• Make sure the mattress securely fits the crib.
• Do not put pillows or stuffed toys in the crib.
• Never leave your baby alone in the tub.
• Keep containers of water out of your baby's reach. Young children can drown in even a few inches of water.

Toys

• Choose playthings that are too large to swallow, are lightweight, have no sharp points or edges, are non-toxic, and won't easily catch fire.
• Make sure that stuffed animals have strong seams that cannot easily be chewed or torn open. Loose bows, felt, buttons, and ribbons should be removed. Facial features on dolls and stuffed animals, such as eyes and noses, should be cloth or stitched so they cannot be pulled or chewed off.
• Select playthings that are appropriate for baby's age. Use recommended age labeling as a guide and look for safety messages on toy packaging.

Poisoning

• Keep vitamins, medicines, flowers, plants, and other poisons (such as soaps, cleaners, cigarettes, ashes and butts, cosmetics, etc.) out of baby's sight and reach.
• Keep the Poison Control # by your phone. (1-800-366-8888).
• Use a safety latch on cabinets that store the above items.

Sunburn

• Don't let your baby sit in direct sunlight. A baby's skin is thinner and more sensitive to the sun's rays.
• Protect baby even on overcast days. Reflected light from sand and water can burn baby even under an umbrella.
• Further protect baby's skin by using sunscreen lotion.

Protect baby's eyes on bright days. Use a hat, covered stroller or carriage, or keep baby in a shaded area when outdoors. Direct sunlight can permanently damage her eyes.

From 4 to 8 Months

Your Developing Baby
Healthy Teeth
Teething
Safety
Nutrition
Hearing and Speech
Is My Baby All Right?