Welcoming a newborn into the world is an exciting and joyous time for parents.
As caregivers, it’s crucial to create a safe and healthy environment for your little one.
Newborns are delicate and sensitive creatures. They have sensitive skin and their immune systems are still developing.
They need all the care and protection of their mummies and daddies if they are to make it to childhood.
But the world isn’t always a nice place and there are many things in the environment that can threaten your baby’s health, wellbeing and safety.
To protect your newborn’s wellbeing, here are eight things you must absolutely avoid exposing them to.
8 Dangerous Things to Keep Away from Your Newborn
Tobacco Smoke
If secondhand smoke is dangerous to an adult, imagine what it could do to a baby.
Cigarettes and other types of tobacco and nicotine products like vapes and shishas (or hookah) also fall into this category and they are extremely detrimental for a newborn’s health.
Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other respiratory problems. Ensure your home is a smoke-free environment and avoid exposing your baby to smoke-filled environments.
This can be difficult when going outside to restaurants. But checking beforehand is a good place to start.
Do a quick Internet search or ask the owner before taking your baby to these places.
Strong Chemicals
Newborns have sensitive skin and respiratory systems.
So, it’s important to limit their exposure to harsh chemicals.
Avoid using strong cleaning products, pesticides, and air fresheners that contain harmful toxins.
Opt for natural, baby-safe alternatives instead.
This goes the same for their products.
Some baby lotions, oils and creams say they are hypoallergenic, paraben free, etc, but one look at the ingredients list and all the ugly truth is revealed.
If you want to ensure if a baby skincare product is totally safe to use, look them up on websites like CosDNA. It will tell you if there are any hidden ingredients that may pose a threat to your newborn.
Extreme Temperatures
Newborns struggle to regulate their body temperature.
Keep your baby away from extreme heat or cold, as it can lead to overheating or hypothermia. Ensure your baby is dressed appropriately and maintain a comfortable room temperature.
You have probably heard plenty of news both in the country and internationally of parents accidentally leaving their babies in hot cars. Some may survive but others unfortunately don’t.
This is an important thing to remember, that even in an air-conditioned car, your baby can still overheat.
So, be very careful, especially with heat waves and rising global temperatures making things much more unbearable.
Illness-Causing Germs
Newborns have weak immune systems and are highly susceptible to infections.
So, minimise their exposure to sick individuals, crowded places, and environments with poor hygiene.
Additionally, encourage visitors to wash their hands thoroughly before handling the baby and avoid close contact if they’re feeling unwell.
With so many viruses and germs out and about recently, it’s all the more important to sanitise, disinfect and sterilise your home from any pathogens – especially their toys and food items so that they don’t contract any illnesses that may endanger their lives.
Allergenic Foods
When your baby has reached their first 6 months of life or even a year, you may want to already start introducing them to solid foods.
Or rather semi-solid or soft foods, considering babies typically don’t have many teeth yet.
Introduce new foods to your baby’s diet gradually and cautiously and avoid highly allergenic foods that can trigger unpleasant physical reactions like rashes and swelling.
Certain foods, such as peanuts, shellfish, and eggs, are common allergens and can cause severe reactions in some infants.
Consult with your paediatrician about when and how to introduce allergenic foods safely.
Harsh Sunlight
Sunlight is important for helping the produce lots of essential nutrients like vitamin D.
But direct UV exposure can be dangerous for newborns.
This is due to their delicate and sensitive skin that is highly susceptible to sunburn and sun damage.
Moreover, too much sunlight exposure at a young age can make them more prone to brown spots, age lines and wrinkles when they’re older.
So, avoid direct exposure to sunlight, especially during peak hours.
If you need to take your baby outside, dress them in protective clothing and use a baby-safe sunscreen on exposed areas.
Stressful Environments
Newborns thrive in calm and nurturing environments.
Exposing them to excessive stress, loud arguments, or chaotic surroundings can negatively impact their emotional wellbeing.
Create a peaceful and soothing atmosphere for your baby, providing them with a sense of security and comfort.
This also includes loud noises. Newborns have sensitive hearing, and exposure to loud noises can be distressing and harmful.
Avoid exposing your baby to excessive noise levels, such as blaring music, loud machinery, or crowded environments.
Protect their ears with noise-cancelling headphones or by keeping them in a quiet, peaceful setting.
Keep Your Newborn Safe
Remember, your newborn relies on you for their health and safety.
By avoiding these eight harmful exposures, you can significantly reduce the risk of health complications and ensure your baby’s welbeing.
Always consult with your paediatrician for personalised advice and guidelines to protect your newborn from potential dangers.
With your love, care and attention, you’ll create a nurturing environment where your baby can thrive and grow.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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