Care & Safety Considerations for Newborns and Toddlers

We don't need to tell you how vital it is to do everything you can to keep your baby clean and safe. But between bathing, diaper changing and feeding your newborn, to making sense of things like car seats, immunizations, setting up your nursery and baby clothes, there's an incredible amount to learn.

Bathing, Diapering & Feeding Your Baby

Your baby's three most basic needs are also the most involved, complicated and complex! Aside from exercising common sense, the next best thing you can do is to download the "New Mom Series." It's chock full of content on how and when to safely bathe your newborn, the ins and outs of diapering, and health and safety of feeding your little one by breastfeeding or by bottle.

Laundry

When babies arrive, they not only bring joy, they bring lots of laundry, too. The most important thing to remember is that if you are using cloth diapers and washing them yourself, they need to be washed separately from the rest of the laundry. But your baby's clothes can be washed with the rest of the family's laundry. Just make sure you chose a detergent that is color- and fragrance-free.

Car Seats

The law requires that your infant ride in a rear-facing car seat, and this is for 2 reasons: First, an infant can be seriously injured or killed by an inflating airbag, and next, if you're driving, you'll be less likely to get distracted while trying to care for your baby. When it comes to car seats, there are 3 rules: place your infant seat in the back seat of your vehicle, make sure you support your baby's head, and use the straps correctly. And, of course, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions.

Germs

Germs are everywhere. Most are actually good, but there are some germs that are bad. As a mother, you'll want to protect your baby from the harmful germs as much as possible. The main sources of germs in your home are usually people, pets, food, and water. Some germs, particularly bacteria, like to live in warm, moist places. They can grow and multiply quickly in places where water and waste matter accumulate, such as in sinks, toilets, wet cleaning cloths, mops, and towels, which is why keeping a clean nursery and home are so important for your baby.

For information on all these topics and more, like immunizations, first aid kits, setting up your nursery and infant oral care, download your copy of the "New Mom Series."