Having a baby is one of the most incredible and amazing but absolutely terrifying things in the world.
After you leave that hospital with that tiny fragile bundle of joy you are responsible for loving, nurturing, and keeping them safe.
I’m not writing this post to try to scare you, but instead to educate you.
Thousand of lives could be saved every year if all parents are aware of these dangers and take the right precautions to protect their children.
Baby Safety: 6 Dangers Some Parents Don’t Know
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1.) The herpes virus can be deadly for babies
There are two types of herpes, HSV-1 (oral cold sores) and HSV-2 (genital sores).
While herpes is a nuisance for some adults, it can be fatal for babies because their immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the infection.
HSV-2 can be passed onto a baby during vaginal delivery and infected mothers may need to have a c-section.
A baby can be infected with HSV-1 when someone with a cold sore kisses your baby, or touches their cold sore and then touches your baby.
Aside from protecting your baby from other illnesses, this is why it is so important to have everyone wash their hands before holding your baby and don’t let anyone kiss them.
Related: Baby dies of herpes meningitis after deadly kiss
2.) Sleeping in a car seat, bouncer, or swing can be deadly for babies
Very young babies have weak neck muscles and can slouch forward when sleeping in a car seat, bouncer, or swing.
Sleeping in that slouched position can lead to positional asphyxiation. Which means the baby’s airway is cut off and they cannot breathe.
Babies are safest sleeping flat on their backs, alone, in a crib, on a firm mattress with no pillows, blankets or toys.
Related: Mother’s warning after a common mistake killed her baby
3.) Choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death in children under 5 years old
This one makes the list, not because I don’t think parents are aware that a baby can choke, but because a lot of parents aren’t aware of certain choking hazards.
Once your baby starts eating solid food you need to be careful. There are a lot of foods that children should not have until they are over a certain age and I will list them for you below.
Ten Food Choking Hazard For Children Under Four Year Old
- Hot dogs
- Large chunks of meat and cheese (fine if cut into tiny pieces)
- Whole grapes (fine if cut into quarters and even better if you peel off the skin)
- Hard Candies
- Taffy and Gum (can mold and conform to block your child’s airways)
- Globs of peanut butter (can also conform to your child’s airways)
- Nuts and Seed
- Popcorn
- Raw vegetables
These foods become even more of a choking hazard if your child is not seated while eating.
One child dies every five days from choking in the United States.
Let that sink in.
Related: Two-year-old Dies After Choking On Popcorn
4.) Your child could drown in as little as 20 seconds
Almost 800 children die from drowning every year.
More than half of them are under the age of five.
You should never ever under any circumstances leave a baby unattended in or near water.
20 seconds is all it takes.
Related: Bode Miller and Wife Morgan on their baby’s drowning: “It happens in the blink of an eye”
5.) Babies have been injured and have died from falling furniture
As your baby gets older and stronger they will begin to explore their surroundings by crawling around and pulling themselves up on furniture.
Children have been severely injured and even died from TV’s and dressers falling on them.
You can easily avoid this tragedy with these baby proofing furniture anchors.
Related: Furniture Tip-Overs Kill A Child Every 2 Weeks
6.) Babies forgotten in a hot car can suffer fatal injuries in just one hour
It’s crazy to think that it’s possible for you to forget your child in the car.
I think if you asked any parent they would tell you that’s there is just no way they would ever do that.
But it happens.
At least 42 children died from being left in a hot car in 2018.
Thankfully there is finally a smart car seat that will send an alert to your phone if you have left your child in the car.
Related: Baby Dies After Being Left In Hot Car While Mom Was At Work
Keep your little ones safe!
If you found this post helpful please give it a share on Facebook and Pinterest. Spread the word, educate others, and most of all keep our little ones safe ❤️
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