Nurturing Safety Every Day
Since safety plays such a crucial role in ensuring your baby’s optimal development, let’s learn how to nurture it in everyday moments.
Every interaction is an opportunity to make your baby feel safe.
Something wonderful happens when you and your baby interact with each other. When you respond to each other’s cues, you’re actually letting your baby know that she can trust you, strengthening what the experts call the Secure Attachment Bond.
The Secure Attachment Bond is the feeling of safety and security your baby gets when you’re able to emotionally connect with each other.
You can grow your baby’s feeling of safety every day by incorporating thoughtful little acts into your daily routine of bathing, playing and even when you go out.
Let’s take a look at the many ways you can make your baby feel safe throughout the day.
Safety tips for bathtime
Bathtime is about so much more than just keeping babies clean. It’s also a golden opportunity to nurture that special mother-baby bond through loving looks and caring touches. Here are some tips that can help your baby feel safe throughout the entire process:
Tip #1: Find a safe, clutter-free space for the bathtub.
The kitchen counter could be just the spot. You can be a lot more comfortable if you don’t have to bend over. Just make sure you clear the space of any items that could get in the way.
Tip #2: Place everything you need within easy reach.
This has to do with the cardinal rule of baby bathing, which is to never leave your baby unattended in the bath, not even for a second. Have everything you need – soap, towels, toys – within your reach, so you won’t have to interrupt bathtime just to look for these items.
Tip #3: Test that the water temp is just right.
Make sure the water is neither too hot nor too cold. Test it first on the sensitive skin on your wrist or inner elbow, and adjust until you find the temperature that’s comfortably warm enough for your baby.
Tip #4: Use products that are made for babies.
It’s not only the water that has to be just right. Because babies have unique needs, everything you use should be made specifically for them. Their skin, for example, is still developing and requires cleansing that is both gentle and effective. A No More Tears® formula can protect your baby from discomfort that could disrupt her feeling of safety during bathtime. While a hypoallergenic fragrance can help stimulate your baby’s senses and enhance her enjoyment. In short, choose products that will help your baby get the most out of her bathtime experience.
Tip #5: Make sure to dry the toys after use.
Toys are a great way to help your baby enjoy her bath. Just make sure that you dry them off after bathtime so that they don’t end up collecting mold and grime.
Want to hear how Bianca Gonzales-Intal keeps her baby safe during bathtime? Watch this video
Safety tips for playtime
For babies, playing is serious work. It’s a time when they learn new skills and discover more about the world around them, thereby stimulating their physical and mental growth. With so much going on, it’s important that your baby feels safe during playtime so that she can focus all her energies on exploring, growing and developing. Here are some tips that could help:
Tip #1: Inspect toys for small parts.
Toys with small, detachable parts can be a choking hazard for babies, especially since babies seem to love to put everything they can get their hands on into their mouth. Inspect every toy thoroughly before giving it to your baby. Do the toilet paper roll test – toys that can pass through it could also block your child’s airway, so better put them away.
Tip #2: Babyproof your home.
Picture the world’s most mischievous baby and imagine what she would do. Would she put her fingers into sockets? Pull the cords of electrical appliances? Bump her head into sharp table corners? Use safety covers and barriers to prevent any of these from happening and exercise extra caution when cooking or cleaning, so that your baby doesn’t get exposed to items that could be dangerous for her.
Tip # 3: Keep your baby feeling fresh and comfortable.
Playtime can be a messy affair and that’s okay. You can help by making your baby feel as comfortable as possible, so that she can concentrate on having fun and learning. This means changing her diaper when it’s full, or using JOHNSON’S® Baby Powder to help her stay fresh and dry even when she’s being active. Remember that the better your baby feels, the more she can get out of playtime.
To see how Bianca Gonzales-Intal keeps playtime safe for baby Lucia.
Safety tips for going out
When you’re ready to let your baby explore the great big world outside her home, here are some tips on how to make the experience safe and enriching:
Tip #1: Provide sufficient protection from the sun.
Your baby’s developing skin is particularly vulnerable to the sun’s harsh UV rays, so when going out, make sure your baby is adequately clothed with hats and long-sleeved shirts. As much as possible, avoid the hours when UV rays are at their most intense - between 11am and 4pm. Remember that reflective surfaces like water or concrete can cause the strength of UV rays to almost double.
Tip #2: Invest in the right baby carriers.
If traveling by car, a car seat is a definite must for baby’s safety. Then when setting off on foot, bring out the stroller or explore using baby wrap carriers. The latter is particularly helpful in nurturing the bond between you and your baby, because babies feel safe and happiest when they’re held in their mothers’ arms.
Tip #3: Pack all the necessities.
Your child can learn so much from being outdoors, but new environments always bring an element of the unexpected. Prep for any surprises by packing a diaper bag with all the essentials. For example, you can guard against prickly rashes by bringing extra clothes and JOHNSON’S® baby powder. Messy accidents are also easier to clean up when you have extra diapers, JOHNSON’S® baby wipes and JOHNSON’S® Top-to-Toe® wash on hand. By keeping your baby feeling fresh and clean, you’re helping make sure that nothing gets in the way of her exploring her world.
Find out how Bianca Gonzales-Intal ensures Lucia’s safety when they go out. Watch this video
Whatever you do, make safety a priority.
Don’t worry. All these may seem a lot to remember, but your mother’s instincts will also be there to help guide you in figuring out what’s best for your baby.
The important thing is to know your priority, which is to keep your baby feeling safe and secure at every possible opportunity, so that she can grow and develop fully.
Sources:
https://weeschool.com/blogs/mobile-mommy/7-tips-to-bond-with-your-baby-a...
http://www.babycenter.com/0_tips-for-safe-bathing_40.bc
http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/babyproofing/keep-your-sweetie-safe/
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/child-enfant/play-jeu-eng.php#a31
http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/outdoor/
http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/fussy-baby/baby-wearing...
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