New babies are fragile. Human babies are born somewhat underdeveloped compared to the rest of the animal world—the result of our larger-in-size brains—and that means they need looking after in ways that many animals do not. They can’t move independently, see very well, communicate their needs, and have immune systems that rely on the antibodies they’ve received from their mothers, especially in those early days and weeks. There are a lot of things that need to be kept in mind from a health and safety perspective when dealing with young children – so let’s have a look at some of them.

Hand Hygiene

While this is of particular importance with newborns, it’s a good habit to have in general. Before touching a baby—especially someone else’s—make sure you’ve washed your hands well. It’s also a good idea when meeting other people’s babies to keep in mind whether you’ve been sick. What is little more than a runny nose for you could be much more serious in a newborn, so if you haven’t been well, maybe save the cuddles for next time. And even if you haven’t been noticeably ill, a quick blast of some hand sanitiser is a great idea. It doesn’t take much for a new baby to pick up germs, especially in those first 6-12 weeks, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The same goes for parents after things like nappy changes. Making it part of your routine to thoroughly wash your hands before and after goes a long way to keeping both you and your little one healthy – just make sure to invest in a good moisturiser to keep your hands from drying out!

Sun

Possibly not one everyone immediately thinks of, but important to think of regardless – particularly for those in high sun intensity areas (such as New Zealand and Australia). Baby skin is notoriously delicate, so it takes very little to begin burning. It can sometimes be challenging to find sunscreens suitable for skin that new, so the solution here is to avoid direct sunlight where possible – try lightweight but full-length clothing (making sure to avoid overheating) and the use of shades.

Car Seats

We have an earlier blog going into more detail about baby seats, but it’s always good to remember that they need to meet safety standards (indicated by stickers showing a red tick, E number, or S mark—see the linked blog for more details). It’s also essential to have this arranged before you go to the hospital, if possible, as you won’t be able to get home without a safe, properly installed seat.

This is a quick glimpse at some of the things you may have to think about before you have your baby. Depending on your family’s circumstances, you may have other things that will also be important. Speaking to your maternity carer will be an excellent way to determine what you need, so don’t be shy about asking. And if you’re ever worried about your child’s general health and well-being, see your family medical professional – they can help you through any concerns you have.

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