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Burns

Never heat bottles in a microwave oven; hot spots can form in the liquid and burn the infant’s mouth.

Always check the water temperature before bathing an infant. Infants have thinner skin that burns in a matter of seconds.

Choking

Learn CPR.

Always hold the infant in an upright position while feeding; do not prop bottles.

Suffocation

Provide a firm mattress that fits crib snugly to prevent the infant from becoming wedged in open cracks.

Always put infants to sleep on their back; this practice reduces the risk of SIDS. Tuck the bottom edges of a light blanket under the bottom end of the mattress. Remove all soft items from the baby’s crib (e.g., fluffy blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, or pillows).

Transportation

Always use an approved, rear-facing carrier installed in the vehicle’s back seat whenever transporting an infant. Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website for safety feature recommendations and recalls; always install the carrier according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

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Eating

Takes six to ten feedings, totaling approximately 18–22 ounces (532–660 ml) per 24 hours at the beginning of this period; later, the number of feedings decreases to five to six, while the total amount consumed increases to approximately 30 ounces (887 ml).

Drinks 2–4 ounces (59–118 ml) of breast milk or formula per feeding; takes 25–30 minutes to complete a feeding; may fall asleep toward the end.

Toileting, Bathing, and Dressing

Signals the need for a diaper change by crying. (If crying does not stop when diaper is changed, another cause, such as hunger or other discomfort, should be sought.)

Enjoys bath; keeps eyes open, coos, and relaxes body tension when placed in warm water.

Expresses displeasure (fusses, cries) when clothes are pulled over head (hence, it is best to avoid over-the-head clothes).

Sleeping

Begins to sleep four to six periods per 24 hours after the first few days following birth; one of these might be 5–7 hours in length.

Play and Social Activities

Stares at faces in close visual range [10–12 inches (25.4–30.5 cm)].

Needs to be forewarned (e.g., touched or talked to) before being picked up to avoid being startled.

Enjoys lots of touching and holding; however, may become fussy with too much handling or overstimulation.

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Burns

Do not bring hot beverages or appliances near the infant.

Check the temperature of bottles carefully (if warming formula or breast milk) before offering them to an infant.

Choking

Check rattles and stuffed toys for small parts that could become loose. Purchase only toys larger than 1.5 inches (3.75 cm) in diameter and without small parts (e.g., eyes and buttons) that could become dislodged.

Put all small items, strings, and cords out of the baby’s reach.

Falls

Attend to the infant at all times whenever she is placed on an elevated surface (such as changing table, sofa, counter, or bed); the baby may turn over or roll unexpectedly.

Always set the infant carrier on the floor (not on the table or countertop) and securely fasten safety straps.

Sharp Objects

Keep pins and other sharp objects out of the baby’s reach.

Check nursery furniture for sharp or protruding edges; purchase only furnishings and toys that comply with federal safety standards (see the “Online Resources” section at the end of this chapter).

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Eating

Takes five to eight feedings [5–6 ounces (148−177 ml) each] per day; may eat more often if fed on demand.

Requires only breast milk or formula to meet all nutrient needs; not ready to eat solid foods.

Toileting, Bathing, and Dressing

Enjoys bath time on most occasions; kicks, laughs, and splashes.

Sleeping

Averages 14–17 hours of sleep per day; often awake for two or three periods during the daytime.

Falls asleep for the night soon after the evening feeding.

Play and Social Activity

Spends waking periods engaged in physical activity: kicking, turning head from side to side, clasping hands together, grasping objects.

Vocalizes with delight; becomes more “talkative.”

Smiles and coos when being talked and sung to; may cry when the social interaction ends.

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Burns

Keep electrical cords out of reach and electrical outlets covered; inspect the condition of electrical cords and replace or remove them if worn or frayed.

Take precautions to protect infants from accidentally touching hot objects (e.g., oven or fireplace doors, space heaters, candles, curling irons, burning cigarettes, and hot beverage cups).

Falls

Use approved safety gates to protect the baby from tumbling downstairs.

Always fasten the restraining strap when the infant is placed in a high chair, stroller, or grocery cart.

Always raise crib sides to their maximum height and lock them when the baby is in bed.

Poisons

Use safety latches on cabinet doors and drawers where potentially poisonous substances (i.e., medications, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, or garden chemicals) are stored.

Strangulation

Never fasten teethers or pacifiers on a cord or around the infant’s neck; avoid clothing with drawstrings.

Remove crib gyms and mobiles after the baby reaches five months or begins pushing up on hands and knees.

Use a wireless baby monitor; make sure that all cords are out of reach.

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Eating

Shows interest in feeding activities; reaches for the cup and spoon while being fed.

Begins to accept a small amount of semisolid pureed foods, such as cereal and vegetables, when placed well back on tongue (if such food is placed on the tip, the infant will push it back out).

Toileting, Bathing, and Dressing

Prefers being free of clothes; may fuss while being dressed. Splashes vigorously with both hands (and sometimes feet as well) during bath time.

Moves hands constantly; nothing within reach is safe from being spilled, placed in the mouth, or dashed to the floor.

Sleeping

Awakens early in the morning; usually falls asleep soon after the evening meal.

Sleeps 11–13 hours through the night.

Takes two or three naps per day.

Play and Social Activity

Enjoys lying on the back; arches back, kicks, and stretches legs upward, grasps the feet and brings them to the mouth.

Plays with soft, squeaky toys and rattles; puts them in the mouth and chews on them.

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Choking

Cut finger foods into small pieces (1/4 inch [0.63 cm] or smaller). Avoid sticky foods (e.g., raisins, caramels, or peanut butter) and hard foods (e.g., raw vegetables, hard candies, or nuts).

Keep small objects such as buttons, dry pet food, coins, pen tops, and small batteries out of reach; keep garbage cans closed tightly. Any item that can fit through a toilet paper tube is too small for young children to play with.

Drowning

Remove unsupervised water sources, including bath water, outdoor fountains, pet dishes, and wading pools. Place safety devices on toilet lids.

Enclose pools with fences and latched gates; install alarms on windows and doors. Never leave a young child unsupervised in a pool or bathtub, even briefly to answer the telephone.

Falls

Always strap infants into high chairs, grocery carts, and strollers and on changing tables. Never allow them to stand up in or on these objects (unless you are holding onto the infant).

Keep the crib sides up and locked at all times.

Strangulation

Purchase clothing, such as jackets, with elastic instead of pull strings in the hoods.

Fasten cords on all blinds and curtains up high and out of a child’s reach. Suffocation

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Eating

Eats three meals per day, plus mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks such as juice, fruit, crackers, and cereal. Enjoys eating with family members; usually has a good appetite.

Develops certain food likes and dislikes.

Toileting, Bathing, and Dressing

Enjoys bath time; splashes and plays with the washcloth, soap, and water toys.

Delights in letting water drip from a sponge or washcloth; pours water from cup to cup.

Sleeping

Goes to bed willingly but may not fall asleep immediately; plays or walks around in crib before eventually falling asleep.

Play and Social Activities

Enjoys large motor activities: pulling to a standing position, cruising, standing alone, creeping.

Places things on the head, such as a basket, bowl, or cup; finds this very funny and expects others to notice and laugh.

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Concerns about safety can always be found in everyday activities and tasks, and they only become more complex as one grows older. Though this is true, don't let it discourage you as the child's guardian or caretaker. Remember that you are doing your best to prevent any challenges that life can throw at you, and your child loves you.