Friday Faves #35- Baby Safety Month and 5 Baby Safety Rules

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My Grandbabies!

     We have been talking a lot about babies this week on the blog.  After all, Alicia just brought home her new little baby Sofía and Lindsey only has 3 months left until her baby girl arrives.  I am going to have to change my "About" page to 9 grandchildren instead of 7! Hurray!
     Bringing home a new, tiny, sweet baby always opens our hearts and brings out fears and worry over this new bundle of joy.  We can't bear to imagine anything harming her and all we want is for her to have good health and happiness.  The entire household is taken over with care when a new little one arrives.  Appropriately for us, September is Baby Safety Month! For Friday Faves, we decided to share some important baby/child safety products that you may or may not have thought about.

Baby Safety Products

     Madalynn used to nanny for a couple of her older sibilings' children.  She loves her nieces and nephews so much and is really good with them.  One of the boys loves to climb and one day nearly pulled his dresser over on himself!  Madalynn's choice for a safety product are Anti-Tip Furniture Straps!  This is an item that people may not always think about, but is so important when trying to keep little ones safe. Not only do you want to protect your toddlers from their own exploring, tugging and climbing, but these straps also can help protect you furniture during an earthquake, or from someone stumbling and knocking into furniture that may be unsteady on a carpet.

     Alicia, who now has a 2 year old who loves to get into things, needed something to keep him out of cupboards that held items not safe for a toddler.  She also rents, so she needed something that wasn't permanent that wouldn't damage the cabinets.  She loves these child-proof locks by Sure Basics that are so easy to use.  

     LIndsey's new house that she and her husband just moved into this year has a pool.  Shortly after moving in, the 5 nieces and nephews from Kansas were coming for a visit! They knew that they needed a fence up pronto! Lindsey said that she tried to make appointments with several companies for quotes and the company she chose, Pool Fence AZ, was the only one in Phoenix that would work on a Saturday. She said that they were willing to answer all of their questions and they asked about the ages of the children in order to recommend the right height of fence, plus gave them a money saving option.  They had the fence installed in about half an hour, and they didn't leave a mess. So, if you live in Phoenix and need a pool fence, give them a try. This is not a sponsored endorsement, it is just that Lindsey and Austin are very happy with their fence and the company's service and the kids made it through their visit unscathed. 
     Of course, pool fence companies will vary from city to city and state to state, so you will have to check locally.  But, having a fence around your pool when you have children is so important.  There are drownings every year in Phoenix that could be avoided with a proper fence and supervision.
     The type of fence Lindsey and Austin had put in was like this one.  The cost is around $100 for a 10 foot section that is 4 feet tall if you purchase this one from Amazon and install it yourself.  It seems like in this case a professional installation may be the way to go.

     When my kids were little, we took a trip to Disneyland with friends.  My youngest child at the time was only 2 years old and I was worried about losing her in the crowds, not keeping her confined in her stroller all day and not having to carry her around too much.  I got her a wrist leash for kids and it was so great.  She could walk and run around sometimes, within limits, and I could keep an eye on her without so much worry.
     A couple of weeks ago, my son Tyler and his wife went to Disneyland with cousins.  Child harnesses have really come a long way! But, they enjoyed the one they got for Spencer just as much as I did many years ago.  Look at these options:

And, there are many more options!

5 Baby Safety Rules to Live By:

1. Lay newborns on their backs to sleep.  23 years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics changed their recommendation from stomach sleeping to back sleeping.  Since that time, the incidents of SIDs decreased dramatically.  My oldest 4 babies were stomach sleepers, but my younger 2 were born after the change, and I was suspicious but went along with it.  But, when you see the statistics, you don’t want to take any chances.  Give your babies tummy time when they are awake, and you are with them. 
   
2. Always use a car seat when you are driving or riding with your infant.  There is no excuse or reason not to use one.  Babies can’t brace themselves and will fly forward much easier than a heavier adult when there is only a small lurch while riding in a car.  That can lead to serious injury or even fatality.  Here is the car seat that Alicia recommends. She loves it.
   
3. Do not leave your baby unattended on a raised surface, like a couch or a counter top.  You never know at what age a baby will roll over.  I have had some do it very early and others very late.  Sometimes they roll over accidentally and then not again for a long time.  So, it is never safe to leave them while you turn around, even for a few seconds.  That also goes for setting them in an infant seat or bouncy seat above the ground.  They get kicking those little legs and can end up sliding right off to the hard floor.
   
4. Never leave your baby in the car unattended.  The results of this situation are heart wrenching! I understand the situation, especially if you have had a change in routine and forgotten that you were the one driving the baby that day.  Perhaps the baby fell asleep and is super quiet and you just forget he is in the car with you.  If you have a lot on your mind, it may be worth it to get an alarm that reminds you to check for the baby. Alicia suggests putting your purse or briefcase or house keys next to the baby’s car seat so that you will be reminded to get your baby out of the car.
   
5. Never leave your baby in the tub or around water unattended! Not even for a minute! Lindsey’s fave addresses this subject when it comes to pools, but it is equally important when it comes to the bath tub.

     The best rule that I can leave you with is to love your babies unconditionally, have fun with them, cuddle them and you will keep them safe because you will be with them enjoying your time as a mother, aunt or grandmother!
     Now, get in there and enjoy those kids! And, if you have any products that you love because they help to keep your kids safe, please let us know!
-Helen