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Health and Safety for Infants (Birth - 12 Months)
Health and Safety for Infants (Birth - 12 Months)
Safe Sleep
- Put babies to sleep on their back at night and for naps to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Use a firm, flat tight fitting mattress in a crib or bassinet with a fitted sheet
- Sleep your baby in the same room with you, but never in your bed with you
- Do not put comforters, blankets, pillows or stuffed animals in the crib. They could suffocate your baby
Car Safety
- Place your baby in a rear-facing car seat
- Make sure you know how to install your car seat correctly
- Never put your baby in front seats with an airbag
- Never leave your baby alone in a car. The air can heat up quickly and a baby can die
General Safety
- Do not shake your baby – ever! Shaking your baby could cause brain damage or even death
- Do not allow your baby to play with anything that might cover their face
- Protect your baby from secondhand smoke. Do not smoke or allow anyone else to smoke around your baby
- Do not allow your baby to play with small toys they could easily swallow and choke on
- Never carry hot liquids or foods while holding your baby
Healthy Eating
- Breast milk meets all your baby’s needs for about the first 6 months of life. Between 6 and 12 month, your baby will begin to eat healthy solid food, but breast milk can still be an important source of nutrition
- As your baby starts to move beyond breast milk or formula, feed them slowly and patiently. Get them to try new tastes, but without force
- When your baby moves into solid foods, prevent them from choking by cutting their food into small bites
Healthy Bodies
- Vaccines (shots) can protect your child from serious diseases. Talk to your baby’s doctor about vaccinations
- Keeping your baby active is important for their development. Do physical activities with them to keep their arms and legs moving throughout the day. Getting down on the floor to move helps babies become stronger while learning to explore
- Confining equipment could delay your baby’s development. Do not put your baby in a swing, stroller, bouncer seat, exercise saucer, or other confining equipment for long periods of time. Take them out and let them move about
Healthy Minds
- Read, talk and sing to your baby to help their brains develop
- Limit screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that it’s best for babies under 18 months to only use screen media for video chatting
- Provide enough opportunities for your baby to sleep – the recommend amount of sleep for infants 4 – 12 months old is 12 – 16 hours per day (over a 24 hour period, including naps)
It's Not Too Early to Think About Oral Health
From newborn to baby's first birthday, there are things that you can do to help your baby's oral health. This infographic shares information for each oral health milestone of your child's first year.