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The first year after becoming parents is one that will be full of chaos, sleep-deprivation, and total panic. It will take at least a few months to figure out this new life. Parenthood can also be terrifying for most parents as they will have a thousand different questions and fears to deal with on their own.
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Life after a newborn is tough especially when there is this fragile delicate being that you have to constantly take care of with utmost responsibility. And it’s no news that parents will have their own share of concerns when it comes to their baby. But it’s also important to prioritize your worries and concerns so that you can spend your time and energy on things that you should actually be worried about. Continue reading to know about the 5 things that should be on top of your mind:
1. Preterm Delivery
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Premature birth is when a baby is born before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy. Every 1 in 10 infants was born prematurely in the United States during 2018. Another statistic showed that preterm birth accounted for around 17% of deaths in the year 2017. Since the last few weeks of pregnancy are crucial for the development of the baby’s vital organs, premature birth can lead to higher rates of complications and disabilities (1).
To prevent giving birth to a premature baby, make sure you seek regular prenatal care and follow a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy. Avoid any unhealthy habits and consider pregnancy spacing to be on the safer side.
2. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)
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SUID is used to refer to the unexpected and sudden death of a baby who is below one year of age. It includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In SUIDs, babies usually die in their sleep or their sleep area (2). What’s staggering to note is that SUID is accountable for around 3,500 infant deaths each year. Deaths can occur due to some accidental suffocation or due to various unknown reasons. It’s usually difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of these deaths as parents and caregivers are usually not around when it happens.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can be prevented by taking a few precautionary measures by making the baby’s sleep environment safe (3). It is recommended to keep the baby crib bare from any fluffy toys or pillows which can interfere with the infant’s breathing. Breastfeeding is known to reduce the risk of SIDS, so make sure to breastfeed your baby at least for the first six months of their life. Laying the baby on their backs is another way to reduce the risk of unexpected deaths.
3. Car Accident
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Car accidents are also another cause of death in infants. Each year, thousands of kids are killed in a car crash. Hence it is important to make their safety the utmost priority.
For infants and toddlers, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a rear-facing car seat until they reach the appropriate height and weight that allows them to shift to a front-facing car seat (4). Typically, kids who are 2 years and more can use a rear-facing car seat until they have outgrown the height and weight specifications set by the car seat manufacturer.
4. Hot Cars
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Hot car death is another leading cause of death among children. Children including infants can die from a heat stroke when left unattended in a vehicle for a long time (5). There are also cases where the parents forget about their child when they are busy running an errand. If you are ever caught in a position to leave your baby in the car, make sure to get a car seat alarm which will constantly remind you at regular intervals that your baby is in the car seat.
5. Drowning
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Infants and curious toddlers can easily get attracted to water which can lead to accidental drowning. It is recommended to never leave your infant unattended in a bathtub or near water. If your baby is ever near water, make sure they are closely monitored by someone. Never leave a bucket of water or a tub with open tap unattended as it can easily lead to disasters.
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Since babies are more delicate than us, the impact of any accident whether it is by choking, drowning or suffocation will be harder on them. However, the good news is that by taking the necessary precautions you can build a safe environment for your baby.
