Baby Safety Basics

Many of my clients are first time moms and many don't have a lot of experience with babies in general before they bring their own baby into the world. There are some unusual things about newborns that are not exactly intuitive. For example, did you know about a baby's "soft spot"? This is a very sensitive area on the top of a newborn's head where their skull hasn't fused together (the skull starts in four sections in order to allow the head to mold through the birth canal). You should not press on this soft spot due to the possibility of brain damage. 

Here are some more important tips for keeping baby safe:

• First, always support your newborn's head. Their neck muscles are quite weak when the are newborn babies. Sometimes they seem to hold their head up well and seem stronger but these little bouts of strength often don't last long so be wary of supporting a wiggly baby's head.
• Next, check out my post about preventing SIDS. There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) which is the unexpected death of an infant when he or she was sleeping.
• Make sure you know how to properly install your infant car seat (that isn't expired) and how to properly secure your baby into the car seat. I will be covering this topic at a future date. Until then you can visit sccfd.org for more information about getting car seat inspections in Santa Clara County, California to ensure you're installing it correctly.
• NEVER NEVER shake a baby. This can lead to brain damage and death. If you ever feel like you're losing control around a baby lay the baby down (on their back) in a safe space and leave the room to calm down. Check out my blog post about why babies cry for more information.
• Make sure you always have a hand on your baby or within your reach. Though newborns don't often roll over they can still startle and fling out their arms and legs which can make them unstable on whatever surface they are on. A fall can be deadly so be cautious about the types of surfaces you lay your baby on. A firm flat surface is often the safest for your baby. 
• Double check that all of the baby gear you use with your baby meets national safety standards and have not been recalled. This includes gear like cribs, playpens, car seats, strollers, changing tables, carriers (like an ergo or moby), and toys.

There are so many things you can do to ensure your baby is safe and this list is definitely not comprehensive, it's just a few of the basics. Check out ncs.org and aboutkidshealth.ca for even more great advice.

I am a very strong proponent of infant safety. During my newborn photography sessions I am very cognizant of baby's ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation) as well as their stability on the posing bag (so that there is no risk of falling, tipping over or wriggling away). I take the safety of the precious and fragile newborn babies I photograph very seriously. I have had training from both a newborn physiologist and a registered neonatal nurse (who specializes in neonatal guidelines as a consultant for the government). The training covered newborn physiology, reflexes and safety as well as the best practices when handling a newborn baby in a variety of photographic poses. That being said, I still think it’s important for you to understand: if I (or any photographer) do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, please say something! You are the parent and are most in tune with your child’s needs and I would never want to overstep that boundary. 
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And as always: if there is something that is concerning you about your baby, consult your baby’s doctor.