Did you know July is one of the most popular months when it comes to babies being born? While having a baby is a wonderful, exciting time, it can also be stressful as new and expecting parents try to navigate all of the things they need to know to keep their little one safe.
Recently I spoke with Dr. Jim Sears, a board-certified pediatrician, and he shared his advice for new and expecting parents.
Nursery Safety
Pinterest-worthy nurseries are all the rage, but Dr. Sears says "functional is better than fashionable." Lots of baby furniture transitions to toddler and even big kid furniture. "Grandma's heirloom dresser may not be the safest choice and as your child gets older it could get ruined with crayons, finger paints or stickers."
Obviously your baby will spend a lot of time in her crib, so you want that to be a safe, comfortable spot. We all know to put baby to sleep on his back and to remove all bumpers, blankets and toys. But should baby be sleeping on an organic mattress or are parents okay going the non-organic route? According to Dr. Sears, organic mattresses are not washable. As babies often have accidents in bed, most people then put a waterproof cover on the organic mattress, rendering the mattress not breathable which is a big risk factor for SIDS.
Dr. Sears recommends the Wovenaire® Crib Mattress by Newton. Made of food-grade polymer, this mattress is firm, but breathable. Air flows right through the mattress for "optimal breathability and temperature regulation". The Wovenaire® Crib Mattress is also washable - just hose it off like a sponge!
Bath Time
Bath time is often a relaxing, bonding experience for parents and babies. To ensure that it is as safe as possible, Dr. Sears says that as soon as you find out you're expecting, go to your water heater and turn it down to 120° F or below. Optimal bath temp is 100°. Skin will be scalded in a matter of seconds at 140°. By setting your water heater at 120°, you are ensuring that the water will be warm, but also safer, as that temp takes longer to burn, giving you time to react if your toddler gets a hold of the water faucet.
Dr. Sears also says "Don't bathe baby too often. Twice a week is plenty!" Too much bathing can dry out baby's skin. Dr. Sears see skin issues in his office almost daily and most times it can be attributed to too many baths. Holding off on bathing every day allows a baby's natural oils to build up and keep the skin moisturized.
Boutique Brands vs. Store Brands
When my son was born, I thought the pricier the product, the better it must be. I couldn't put the grocery store brand on my angel! (Live and learn!) When I brought this up to Dr. Sears, he said that when it comes to detergents, baby wipes, lotions and body wash, "the less ingredients the better!" He recommends steering away from products with lots of big, scientific-sounding ingredients. You want to look for products with no fragrances and few ingredients. When you pay attention to that, you'll start to notice that many of the pricier products and the store brand products are pretty much the same.
Baby-proofing
When it comes to baby-proofing, there are some givens - outlet covers, padded corners on coffee tables once your baby is on the move. But Dr. Sears gives this advice as well. "Get down on baby's level. Put your head on the ground and look up." As adults we look down at things, by being on baby's level, you will see if there are any hazards under the crib, tables or chairs. You may spot loose screws or nails or sharp edges that you wouldn't have seen from your normal viewpoint.
Dr. James M. Sears, MD or "Dr. Jim," as he is known in the office, is a board-certified pediatrician in private practice with his father and brother in Southern California. Dr. Jim has earned his medical degree at St. Louis University of Medicine in 1996 and completed his pediatric residency at Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine, Tod Children's Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1999. During his residency, he received the honor of "Emergency Medicine Resident of the Year."
Dr. Jim has been featured on Parenting.com's "Ask the Experts," and has written for "Parenting" and "BabyTalk" magazine. Dr. Sears' medical advice has been featured on "Dr. Phil" and the PBS parenting series, "Help Me Grow." He is an active contributor to the content of AskDrSears.com and is co-author of The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, Father's First Steps - Twenty-Five Things Every New Father Should Know, The Premature Baby Book, The Baby Sleep Book and the best-selling The Baby Book.
Dr. Jim has two children: a 16-year-old actress/ballerina/history buff, Lea, and a 12-year-old Jedi Knight/bike stunt rider/Lego enthusiast, Jonathan.
