Safe and Sound for Baby page 4
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HIGH CHAIRS
When the baby is hungry and ready to eat, feeding time can be hectic. By using a certified product and following these simple guidelines, using a high chair can be a great way to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tips for Selecting Product
High chairs should have a waist strap and crotch strap.
Some high chairs recline for use with younger infants or are height adjustable.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
Use waist and crotch restraint every time you place a child in the high chair to prevent falls from standing up or sliding out.
Never depend on the feeding tray to restrain or protect baby. Instead, secure restraint straps.
Prevent tip over – Keep high chair far enough from the table, counter or wall so the baby can’t push off from it.
Secure the safety latch on a folding high chair each time you unfold it for use.
NEVER leave a baby unattended.
INFANT SEATS
When you place the baby in an infant seat or bouncer seat, your baby is comfortably positioned and your hands are free. Many of today’s styles are functional as well as entertaining.
Tips for Selecting Product
Infant Seats – For use in the home and many also are used as an infant car seat. Check the instruction manual for use. Never use as an infant car seat unless recommended by the manufacturer.
Bouncer seats – For in-home use only. Many have bouncing action, soothing vibration, and/or toys for play.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
NEVER place on beds, sofas, or other soft surfaces. Infant seats or bouncer can roll over and suffocate a baby.
ALWAYS secure the restraining straps and never leave a baby in the seat when straps are loose or undone.
Baby’s movements can slide an infant seat, so be sure not to place the infant seat near the edges of counter tops, tables or other elevated surfaces.
Never use a bouncer seat on an elevated surface.
Follow the manufacturer’s minimum and maximum weight and age requirements.
If the infant seat or bouncer seat has a canopy, use it when outdoors.
PLAY YARDS/NON-FULL-SIZE CRIBS
Choose a play yard or non-full-size crib with the correct recommended height and weight of the child. (Remember to apply the same rules to portable play yards.)
Tips for Selecting Product
Tips for Use
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
The play yard, including side rails, should be fully erected prior to use.
Do not add padding or other objects inside the play yard, which permit your child to climb out.
Make sure all latching features of the play yard are in place and secure.
Always provide the supervision necessary for the continued safety of your child. When used for playing, never leave child unattended.
Infants can suffocate in gaps between a mattress too small or too thick and the sides, or on soft bedding.
Never add a mattress, pillow, comforter, or extra padding.
Use only the mattress/pad provided by the manufacturer.
NEVER leave a baby in a mesh play yard if its drop side is in the down position. The baby could roll into the space between the pad and loose mesh, causing suffocation.
NEVER place the crib near windows, draperies, blinds, or wall mounted decorative accessories with long cords.
Never suspend strings over play yards or cribs or attach strings to toys.
Check vinyl or fabric-covered rails frequently for holes and tears.
Don’t tie items across the top of the play yard as they can entangle a baby and cause strangulation.
PORTABLE BED RAILS
Portable bed rails provide added safety for children who have moved from the crib to an adult bed, helping to prevent a child from falling out of bed.
Tips for Selecting Product
Some beds have built-in bed rails but a portable bed rail is for use only with an adult mattress and box spring. Portable bed rails are not for use with bunk beds, water mattresses, or inflatable mattresses.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly and use.
Use a bed rail only with a standard innerspring mattress and box spring.
Do not use a bed rail on a bunk bed, water mattress, or bed without a box spring.
Be sure to keep the bed rail firmly against the mattress when in use to prevent dangerous gaps.
PORTABLE HOOK-ON CHAIRS
As you head out for dinner at your favorite family restaurant, don’t forget the portable hook-on chair for baby.
Tips for Selecting Product
Chair should have a strong clamp-on device, which keeps the seat level, making it impossible for a baby to kick off.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
Do not use on a glass or loose tabletop, or on a table with a single pedestal, leaf, tablecloth or placemat.
Check stability and sturdiness of table before seating a child.
Do not place an ordinary chair under the portable hook-on chair.
Always secure the waist and crotch straps around baby.
Before removing baby from chair, make sure baby’s legs are free from chair straps.
STATIONARY ACTIVITY CENTERS
Stationary activity centers can be great fun for you and your baby. There are many styles to choose from to fit your budget and lifestyle.
Tips for Selecting Product
Product adjustments and features range from height adjustment to rocking, bouncing, and a variety of toys. Pick the product that best suits your baby.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
Never leave your baby alone in the activity center.
Keep away from stairs, doors, windows, plants, lamps, the TV, fireplace, heaters, or coffee table.
Keep curtains and blind cords out of reach.
Make sure if not new that your activity center is in good, stable condition.
Be sure to follow manufacturers recommended age, weight, and height.
TODDLER BEDS
When baby is ready to move out of the crib, be sure to follow these guidelines when selecting the right toddler bed.
Tips for Selecting Product
Choose a bed that is low to the ground so that there is less chance of injury if your child falls.
Make sure that the bed is sturdy and not in danger of collapsing.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Check the joints periodically to make sure they are not loose.
Place bed safely in room away from windows, heaters, wall lamps, drapes, and blind cords.
Place headboard against wall rather than the side of the bed so that the child can’t become trapped between wall and bed.
WALKERS
Make sure baby’s first steps are safe steps. Most baby walker accidents happen when a baby is left unattended or has access to items that can injure them.
Tips for Selecting Product
Choose a sturdy walker with the correct recommended height and weight of the baby.
Select a walker with a wheelbase longer and wider than the frame of the walker itself to ensure stability.
Coil springs and hinges of walker must have protective coverings.
Look for the JPMA Certification Seal.
Tips for Use
NEVER leave a baby unattended in a walker.
Only use a walker on smooth surfaces.
Remove all throw rugs when a baby is in walker.
Keep stairways blocked with a gate or enclosure.
Keep doors closed.
Keep child away from appliances or items that could cause injury such as ironing boards ranges, radiators, and fireplaces.
NEVER carry walker with a child in it.
JPMA discourages the use of second-hand products as they may not meet current safety standards. However, if you do choose a second-hand product, check the product’s condition and proper function before use. A walker should have rubber strips under the lower frame or other design feature that restricts movement at the top of stairs. Check the operation of the walker at the top of the stairs. Never use a walker that moves freely over the top step of stairs.
CRIB TOYS AND PACIFIERS
Tips for Selecting Product
Tips for Use
Take rattles, squeeze toys, teethers, plush toys and other items out of a baby’s crib when a baby is sleeping or unattended.
Check the pacifier frequently for holes or tears.
Recent studies have shown pacifiers can be a SIDS risk reduction measure. Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Do not force an infant to use a pacifier. Do not reinsert a pacifier after the infant falls asleep and pacifiers should not be coated in any sweet solutions.
Strings can cause strangulation! Never string a pacifier or any other item around baby’s neck.
Remove crib gyms and mobiles from the crib when a baby begins to push up on hands and knees.
Mobiles and any other toys that hang over the crib should be out of reach.
FEEDING TIPS
When feeding a baby, first test all warmed foods for a comfortable eating temperature before serving.
Heating baby food in a microwave is convenient, but be sure to check the temperature very carefully. Use microwave-safe dishes and stir food from the center out after heating to ensure the temperature is even.
When baby begins to eat solid foods, do not give the child small, hard foods. Check with your pediatrician for a list of appropriate foods.
Remember, a baby should always eat and drink in an upright position.
Avoid propping a bottle on baby.
HELPFUL REMINDERS
Selecting JPMA Certified Products is a good first step toward raising a happy, healthy baby. But, it is also very important you use these and all juvenile products correctly every time. Juvenile products are only to be used for the purpose intended by the manufacturer. Most juvenile products do have a long life, but they should be safety-checked frequently. Always remember juvenile products are not a substitute for parental supervision. Never leave a baby unattended!
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