Keeping Your Baby Safe: Common Baby Injuries

Keeping Your Baby Safe: Common Baby Injuries

During your baby’s first few months, he is in a very vulnerable state, where even the slightest mishap can cause injuries. And once he starts getting out of the crib and exploring around the house, the danger factor increases significantly. And all of these can make for a very stressing experience. So, how do you protect your child from all of these? Read this guide to find out.

What are the most common baby injuries and accidents?

Baby injuries and accidents can come in a wide variety of forms. However, there are several common ones that you have to constantly watch out for.

1. Falls

Falls are the most common accidents that can happen to your baby, accounting to about 44 percent of home accidents. The risk of falls greatly increases once your young one starts moving around, especially when he is already able to climb up and over the crib or playard.

There are two different types of falls that you have to watch out for. First, there is falling from the same level, such as tripping or stumbling over. On the other hand, there is the more dangerous case of falling from a higher level to a lower level, such as falling from the bed to the floor or falling from a high chair to the floor. Depending on how high the fall was, injuries can range from minor bruises to broken bones and dislocated joints.

2. Suffocating and choking

Even as early as three months, babies are very curious about the world around them, and often they would “inspect” an object by putting it into their mouths, which can lead to choking. Small objects like toys and trinkets are the most common causes here. However, choking can also happen during mealtime, where he can choke on large food pieces.

Another danger that can be brought about by your child’s curiosity is suffocation. This one often happens when they innocently try to put things over their heads. Plastic shopping bags are fairly common culprits, but nappy sacks can also pose a threat, especially because they don’t rustle, which can make the incident go unnoticed.

And while they might seem innocuous, your pets can also inadvertently cause suffocation when they innocently crawl over and lie on top of your baby. Hence, unless your young one is already old enough to safely interact with animals, it would be best to keep pets off the nursery in the meantime.

Read more: Treating a Choking Baby

3. Scalds and burns

One of the most common causes of scalding in babies is when they come into contact with hot milk during feeding time. As it turns out, freshly made milk is still hot enough to cause scalding after 15 minutes. Another incident where this can happen is when you are holding your baby in one hand and a hot drink in another.

4. Cuts and scratches

Cuts are most often caused by coming into contact with sharp objects like knives and scissors.  Also, the various objects made out of glass found in the home can cause cuts if they have plenty of sharp edges, or when they break into shards. Here, the best way to prevent such injuries is by keeping all sharp objects away from your young one.

5. Strangulation

Strangulation accidents have become an even more present danger in  modern homes,m what with all the various cords running from devices. There are also the loose ropes and strings that are left scattered on the floor. As a safety precaution, be sure that all the cords and strings are well beyond the reach of your little one. Also, make sure to clean up the floor before letting him crawl around.

6. Poisoning

Poisoning is a very real danger around the home, so there is no need to remind you that medicines and  household chemicals should be kept away from where your baby is. However, another source of poison that you ought to watch out for are plants, as kids have the habit of pulling leaves, flowers, ande what not, and putting these into their mouths. Be sure to identify all the plants in your garden or inside the house just to be safe.

7. Drowning

One important fact to note of with this one is that children, especially the young ones, can drown in pools of water as little as 3 cm deep. Hence, every container of liquid should be kept tightly shut. Also, be sure to always monitor your young one whenever he is in the bath or near water.

Some quick safety reminders for babies

In order to avoid injuries, you have to make sure that the places you wander around in are free from any obstacles. Also, be sure that the nursery is uncluttered and that there are no items that should not be there, as this is the place where your young one will be staying most of the time. Having a fully stocked first aid kit is essential for your young one’s safety.

Next, we will take a look at how to childproof your home.