Hi MTBs, happen to read these safety notes on baby cots, stroller & car seat..just for your reading..may be useful when choosing cots, stroller or car seat for your bb..
Baby Cots
• Always put baby to sleep in a baby cot and ensure that the cot sides are secure when put up
• Cot slats should not be more than 5 cm apart to prevent baby's head from being trapped between slats
• Wooden surfaces should be free of splinters, cracks and be painted with lead-free paint. This will prevent baby from suffering from lead poisoning if he has the tendency to bite or lick the cut surface when he is teething
• The depth of a cot must be a minimum of 60 cm to prevent baby from toppling over when standing
• Lower the mattress base to the lowest point as soon as baby can sit up and before he can pull himself up to stand
• The mattress should fit snugly so that baby cannot get his arm, leg or even his head trapped by the sides
• The cot mattress should be of a foam type with air holes so as to allow the infant to breathe if he turns over and lies flat on his stomach
• Use bumper pads that are fastened safely in place so that baby will not get his head trapped between the bumper pads
• Strings used to secure the bumper pads should not be longer than 30 cm to prevent strangulation
• As baby learns to stand, remove any items such as bumper pads or toys to prevent the baby from climbing on these and falling out of the crib
• Take away all pillows, fluffy beddings and plastic bags to make sure that baby does not smother
• Do not place crib near blinds or any ribbons or cords where baby can get entangled or strangled by the cord
• Ensure that mobile toys are properly secured on the crib and do not topple onto baby. Remove crib toys like musical mobiles when baby is able to sit and stand - baby may pull it down and the cords may cause strangulation
Sarong Cradles
• Babies can fall out of sarong cradles, and the impact from the fall can cause serious injuries
• The spring of the sarong cradle can snap
• Vigorous rocking can cause internal brain bleeding, lead to baby falling out of the sarong cradle, or result in baby being pushed against an adjacent wall
Strollers
• Prams/strollers for babies under 6 months should have a lie-back option that reclines at an angle of more than 135 degrees to the seat
• Choose a stroller with:• a wide base to prevent it from tipping over
• a shoulder strap as well as crotch and waist straps
• a basket that is lower than or at the bottom of the stroller. a safety bar across the seat which is 10 - 20 cm from the seat to allow the legs to be slipped through
• a cover to shield the baby from the sun
• a non-slip handle which offers a better grip. The height of the handle should be adjustable so that the parent will not strain the back when pushing the stroller
• Always secure your child with the straps - shoulder, seat and crotch straps
• Always secure the locking device to prevent the stroller from folding
• Apply the brakes when the stroller is stationery to prevent it from moving
• The weight of the stroller is important. A light stroller will topple over when baby sits forward or pulls onto his side. Foldable strollers are often preferred as they are convenient to store and put into a vehicle
• Do not hang shopping bags on the back of the stroller. The bags may tip the stroller over backwards with baby in it
• Never leave your child unattended in a stroller
Babies Under 9 Kg
If a baby is thrown forward, a baby's neck and back muscles are not strong enough to withstand these forces. As a result, the baby's head could be thrown forward and his brain could be damaged by bumping against his skull. Some guidelines are:
• Have a car seat for your newborn right from the first ride home from the hospital
• Always position the seat such that the baby faces the back of the vehicle
• During a sudden stop, the force is spread evenly across the baby's whole body, pushing the baby against the padded back of the seat
Car Seat Guide
Select a car seat / child restraint which is most suitable for your child's age, size and weight.
Age Weight Type of Car Seat
Babies: up to 9 mths up to 10 Kg Infant Capsule Rear-facing
Toddlers: 9 mths - 4 yrs 9 - 18 kg Convertible Seat Front-facing
Children: Approximately 5 - 8 yrs 19 - 36 kg Booster Seat
Mom-To-Be
Did you know that you can protect your unborn child by protecting his mother?
• Pregnant women should always wear the lap belt under the stomach and the shoulder belt above the stomach
• The belt should be worn low over the pelvic bones and not against the soft stomach area
• The belt should be snug, without being uncomfortable. Worn properly, the seat belt will not harm the baby
Baby Cots
• Always put baby to sleep in a baby cot and ensure that the cot sides are secure when put up
• Cot slats should not be more than 5 cm apart to prevent baby's head from being trapped between slats
• Wooden surfaces should be free of splinters, cracks and be painted with lead-free paint. This will prevent baby from suffering from lead poisoning if he has the tendency to bite or lick the cut surface when he is teething
• The depth of a cot must be a minimum of 60 cm to prevent baby from toppling over when standing
• Lower the mattress base to the lowest point as soon as baby can sit up and before he can pull himself up to stand
• The mattress should fit snugly so that baby cannot get his arm, leg or even his head trapped by the sides
• The cot mattress should be of a foam type with air holes so as to allow the infant to breathe if he turns over and lies flat on his stomach
• Use bumper pads that are fastened safely in place so that baby will not get his head trapped between the bumper pads
• Strings used to secure the bumper pads should not be longer than 30 cm to prevent strangulation
• As baby learns to stand, remove any items such as bumper pads or toys to prevent the baby from climbing on these and falling out of the crib
• Take away all pillows, fluffy beddings and plastic bags to make sure that baby does not smother
• Do not place crib near blinds or any ribbons or cords where baby can get entangled or strangled by the cord
• Ensure that mobile toys are properly secured on the crib and do not topple onto baby. Remove crib toys like musical mobiles when baby is able to sit and stand - baby may pull it down and the cords may cause strangulation
Sarong Cradles
• Babies can fall out of sarong cradles, and the impact from the fall can cause serious injuries
• The spring of the sarong cradle can snap
• Vigorous rocking can cause internal brain bleeding, lead to baby falling out of the sarong cradle, or result in baby being pushed against an adjacent wall
Strollers
• Prams/strollers for babies under 6 months should have a lie-back option that reclines at an angle of more than 135 degrees to the seat
• Choose a stroller with:• a wide base to prevent it from tipping over
• a shoulder strap as well as crotch and waist straps
• a basket that is lower than or at the bottom of the stroller. a safety bar across the seat which is 10 - 20 cm from the seat to allow the legs to be slipped through
• a cover to shield the baby from the sun
• a non-slip handle which offers a better grip. The height of the handle should be adjustable so that the parent will not strain the back when pushing the stroller
• Always secure your child with the straps - shoulder, seat and crotch straps
• Always secure the locking device to prevent the stroller from folding
• Apply the brakes when the stroller is stationery to prevent it from moving
• The weight of the stroller is important. A light stroller will topple over when baby sits forward or pulls onto his side. Foldable strollers are often preferred as they are convenient to store and put into a vehicle
• Do not hang shopping bags on the back of the stroller. The bags may tip the stroller over backwards with baby in it
• Never leave your child unattended in a stroller
Babies Under 9 Kg
If a baby is thrown forward, a baby's neck and back muscles are not strong enough to withstand these forces. As a result, the baby's head could be thrown forward and his brain could be damaged by bumping against his skull. Some guidelines are:
• Have a car seat for your newborn right from the first ride home from the hospital
• Always position the seat such that the baby faces the back of the vehicle
• During a sudden stop, the force is spread evenly across the baby's whole body, pushing the baby against the padded back of the seat
Car Seat Guide
Select a car seat / child restraint which is most suitable for your child's age, size and weight.
Age Weight Type of Car Seat
Babies: up to 9 mths up to 10 Kg Infant Capsule Rear-facing
Toddlers: 9 mths - 4 yrs 9 - 18 kg Convertible Seat Front-facing
Children: Approximately 5 - 8 yrs 19 - 36 kg Booster Seat
Mom-To-Be
Did you know that you can protect your unborn child by protecting his mother?
• Pregnant women should always wear the lap belt under the stomach and the shoulder belt above the stomach
• The belt should be worn low over the pelvic bones and not against the soft stomach area
• The belt should be snug, without being uncomfortable. Worn properly, the seat belt will not harm the baby