Although Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is rare, over 200 babies die each year as a result. It refers to the sudden death of babies younger than one year old, which has no known cause. However, this can be prevented if parents with babies are aware of the potential risks and the proactive steps to keep their babies safe.
Here are the top safeguarding tips for parents with babies.
Look out for Any Signs your Baby Might be Unwell
Parents with babies should know how to recognise the signs and symptoms that could indicate their baby is not well. So, always be wary of any signs that may have changed with your baby. Keep an eye out for illnesses or changes in their overall physical appearance.
Your newborn baby is undergoing many changes to get used to life in the outside world. In most cases, this adjustment goes well. But there are warning signs you must watch for. These include having a temperature of over 38°C, rapid breathing rate of over 60 per minute, no bowel movement or urine within the first 48 hours, and constant crying, irritability, or twitching that do not improve with comfort and cuddling.
Among the first signs your baby might be unwell is a behaviour change, such as being fussier and sleepier. The baby may also cry more or have a change in the level of activity. For instance, if you’re used to your baby being active but suddenly show decreased energy, that could be a sign your baby is unwell.
In newborn babies, fever is often the first sign of an infection. Parents should immediately take their babies with a fever to the paediatrician, especially for newborn babies.
Ask for Support
Looking after a baby can be exhausting, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. It helps to ensure the baby remains safe, especially on days when you may not be able to function well due to lack of sleep. It’s normal to feel like we are passing our responsibility to others by asking for help with our baby. However, attempting to care for your baby single-handedly could leave you overwhelmed and stressed. Parenting a baby requires extreme energy, time, and effort, and it’s okay if you cannot do them all yourself.
A crucial aspect of caring for a newborn is also taking care of yourself. So, consider getting help when things can get hectic and overwhelming. Some of your relatives and friends may be happy to help.
To ensure your baby remains safe and healthy, anyone who volunteers to care for your little one should only help if they feel well. And if you don’t feel comfortable having plenty of people around your baby, do not feel guilty about limiting visitors.
Know Safe Sleeping Practices
Parents must be aware of safe sleeping practices to minimise the baby’s risk of SIDS. They should consider taking training courses in safeguarding to learn more about SIDS and the essentials for keeping their babies safe. It may be good to register for a safeguarding course that can teach first-time parents the essentials of keeping their newborns safe.
One of the most essential tips for avoiding SIDS is to have your baby sleep on their back. Until your baby turns a year old, you should always have them on their back when sleeping. Stomach and side sleeping can increase your baby’s risk of SIDS, especially newly born babies who cannot roll on their own yet.
Another thing to remember is to use a firm and well-fitting mattress for your baby’s crib. It should be snug against all sides of the crib. Also, avoid using crib bumper pads and other loose sleeping aids when your baby is sleeping in the crib.
Being close to your baby when sleeping gives you peace of mind and allows for convenient feedings at night. However, avoid sleeping side by side with your baby in bed. Instead, have your baby sleep in a bassinet or crib beside you. When nursing your baby, avoid lying down to prevent the chances of rolling over your baby.
Only Leave your Baby with People you Trust
With the advent of the Internet, it’s now pretty easy to hire a babysitter. However, it’s dangerous to leave your baby to strangers or people you only meet online. You must only leave your baby with people you trust or someone recommended to you. Remember, babies cannot communicate with you and complain about a babysitter. Therefore, it’s crucial to only leave your baby in the care of someone you trust.
The thought of leaving your baby to a stranger is justifiably scary, especially if you just met the person online and not someone recommended to you. Leaving your precious child in the care of random people can put their safety at risk. Also, consider hiring someone with knowledge and experience in caring for babies. While no qualifications are required to babysit kids for a few hours, your kids would be safer if you hire someone with at least basic childcare training and experience.
When looking for someone to babysit your infant, contact childcare companies that specialise in newborn care. And only work with respectable childcare agencies to ensure that the babysitters have undergone the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks. Of course, having a clean DBS cannot always guarantee a good and reliable babysitter. It may be a good idea to check references who can validate the character of the babysitter.
Know Where to Go if You Have Any Safeguarding Concerns
As a parent, you should know where to go or whom to call for any safeguarding concerns. Depending on the nature of the concerns, you can contact emergency services if your baby needs urgent medical care. To report a potential abuse or a crime, you should call the police. If you think a baby is being abused or neglected, you must report it to the proper authorities. Whether you are a parent or not, it is essential to inform the authorities if you suspect a baby is in danger. Your vigilance can play a vital role in protecting the vulnerable.
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