3 Things to Be Aware of Before Bringing Your Newborn Home from the Hospital : So you’ve finally become a parent and now you’re faced with the lifelong process of raising your child and keeping them safe. Well, don’t have a nervous breakdown just yet. This process is much more fulfilling and wonderful than it is scary.

Despite the amazing gift of bringing a child into the world, this process does come along with a few factors that you should be aware of, especially during the infancy and early childhood phases. This is a time of rapid change. As long as you can keep up with these changes, you should be able to raise your children with relative ease.

But along with bringing a child into the world, you also have to be aware of a few concerns that may arise. In fact, there are many things that a new parent needs to be aware of. The most important of which is the safety of your child.

If you’re the proud parent of a newborn, the following will offer a few tips for keeping your child safe during this delicate time.

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Nutrition

Nutrition is the foundation for your child’s overall health. And as a new parent, it’s up to you to see to it that your child eats properly. But for some mothers, breastfeeding simply isn’t an option. No matter if this is due to physical complications or the child being unable to consume breast milk, you have other options to consider.

Cow’s milk formula is often used as a supplement for human breast milk. However, some children cannot (and should not) consume cow’s milk formula.

If your child was born premature, he or she may run the risk of developing NEC if fed cow’s milk formula. NEC, for example, is a condition known as necrotizing enterocolitis. This is a  life-threatening intestinal disorder that can be harmful or fatal if developed.

As such, mothers of premature babies should be aware of the danger of cow’s milk formula. If your child was born prematurely, consulting with your pediatrician about healthy or natural organic formula options is highly recommended.

Car Seat Safety

One of the most nerve-wracking experiences parents face post-delivery is driving their child home from the hospital for the very first time. When this takes place, every other car on the road is a potentially life-threatening hazard. And you may even find yourself driving way below the speed limit. And also, navigating turns as if you’re driving a bus.

Despite being as cautious as possible, you also need to be aware of the dangers that a child faces while in a car seat. Because many children have died while sleeping in their car seats.

As a rule of thumb, always place the car seat in the center of the back seats, facing rearward. And always ensure that your car seat is properly secured at all points of contact.

Additionally, never over-tighten the restraints on your child. And avoid long trips when your child is still in the infancy stage. This is because the neck muscles aren’t developed enough to keep the airways open. Thus, if the head falls forward during sleep.

Crib Safety

There’s nothing like watching a newborn baby sleep. These innocent children can seem happily trapped in dreams, looking like the most peaceful creatures you’ve ever laid your eyes on. But unfortunately, cribs can also pose a danger to your newborn as well.

For example, when it comes to crib safety, always adhere to the following points:

  • Never keep large fluffy blankets in the crib
  • Avoid having large stuffed animals in the crib
  • Always place the child on his or her back in the crib
  • Ensure there are no long cords or strings present
  • Always openings near the mattress are covered

Additionally, you should never use a crib that is older than 10 years. This is because new regulations on cribs are always being implemented or modified. And older cribs will not be manufactured to modern safety standards. So as much as you’d like to see your child in your old antique crib that’s been handed down for the last five generations. Thus, buying a new crib for your child is the safest option.

Bringing a child into the world is a full-time job in itself, aside from it being a completely life-changing experience for you. But as long as you educate yourself of the dangers and be proactive in preventing them from occurring, you’ll be able to enjoy watching your child grow without too much worry.