Keeping your mobile baby safe (from 6-12 months)

Safe sleep environment

• As babies reach milestones like rolling over, sitting up, or crawling, adjustments are required for their sleep.
• Once your baby can comfortably and consistently roll from back to front and front to back on their own, they are generally safe to find their own comfortable sleeping position however you should continue to place your baby on their back when putting them down to sleep.
• By 6 months, babies must no longer be swaddled. Their arms must be free so they can push up if they roll onto their stomachs.
• If you have used a dummy to help soothe your baby, The Lullaby Trust advises stopping dummy use once the baby is between 6 and 12 months old.
• From 6 months, your baby can begin to transition into their own room or into a room with a sibling, however you can continue having your baby sleep in your room if you feel this is best for you and your baby.
• If you are placing your baby in their own room or in a room with a sibling, the room will need to be kept at a steady temperature between 16 and 20 degrees and your baby’s cot must be out of reach of any hazards such as windows, electric sockets or anything which could fall onto them.
• At 6 months, a baby’s mattress should be moved to its lowest position in the cot before they learn to pull themselves up and accidentally tumble out.
• It can be tempting to begin introducing pillows and duvets however your baby’s sleep space should remain entirely clear of loose bedding until they are at least 12 months old. This is because they can pose a suffocation or overheating risks and can also pose a hazard for falls if your baby was to stand on them.

Sources:

Safer sleep overview | The Lullaby Trust

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – NHS

Preventing falls

• Once your baby learns to roll, crawl, and pull to stand, they are at greater risk of falls.
• To reduce the risk of falls, never leave your baby unsupervised on a raised surface such as a changing table or a sofa/bed as they could roll off very quickly.
• Stairs without safety gates pose a risk to babies becoming more mobile as they have no awareness of danger and could easily tumble down the stairs.
• Wheeled baby walkers are discouraged as they give babies rapid and unexpected mobility and there is a risk they could tip over, roll down the stairs or reach countertops placing them at risk of scalds or poisoning.
• Bring your baby with you if you need to get something or answer the door or phone.
• Strap babies into all seats, including feeding chairs, car seats, buggies, prams and bouncers. Only use equipment and sitting devices with a 5-way safety harness.

Sources:

How to prevent falls in children | Falls safety tips for families

RoSPA- Keeping Kids Safe | Preventing falls and injuries

Strangulation/suffocation

• Nappy sacks are very thin, so can easily cling to the baby’s face as they breathe in so always keep nappy sacks away from your baby and do not store them in a cot or a pram.
• Beware of blind cords, the loop in blind cords can go around your baby’s neck, leading to strangulation. It takes as little as 18 seconds for a child to become strangled by a blind cord.
• Ensure cords and chains are pulled taut by fitting blind cord safety devices such as cleats.
• Do not place your child’s cot, bed, highchair or playpen near a window or door blind.

Sources:

Suffocation | Child Accident Prevention Trust

How to prevent choking, suffocation and strangulation | UNICEF Parenting

Burns and scalds

 Increased reach and mobility mean items previously “out of bounds” are suddenly accessible to your baby.

• A baby’s skin is 15 times thinner than an adult’s and will burn or scald much more easily.
• Do not drink hot drinks when holding your baby as a hot drink can scald up to 20 minutes after it has been made and your baby may try to grab your cup.
• Keep hot drinks away from edges of tables/countertops to ensure that they are out of your baby’s reach.
• Be mindful of electrical cords for kettles or handles for saucepans being within reach of your baby.

Preventing choking

• Exploration at this age is almost entirely oral. Babies will instinctively put anything they pick up into their mouths.
• Anything that can fit inside a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard. This includes coins, small toy parts, loose buttons, and marbles.
• This is especially important in unfamiliar places where small objects could be within your baby’s reach. It can be useful to get down onto the floor to see things from your baby’s view to identify any potential choking hazards.
• Never add any food such as rice or rusks into your baby’s bottle unless you have been advised to by a medical professional.
• As solid foods are introduced, safe food preparation is essential to reduce the risk of choking. Never give your baby whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, whole nuts and other rounded, small foods. Instead cut grapes lengthways and give your baby nuts in the form of nut butters.
• Jewellery, including teething beads, can be dangerous around your baby as they can break apart and become a choking hazard.
• In addition to being a choking hazards, button batteries can cause significant harm to your baby if swallowed. Button batteries can react with saliva, creating caustic soda which can burn through your baby’s digestive system, leading to serious injury or even death.
• If swallowed, magnets can also cause serious injury due to the risk of the magnets ripping through the digestive tract and cutting off the blood supply.

Sources:

Magnets safety | Top tips to keep children safe

Why are button batteries so dangerous? | Learn the risks

RoSPA- Keeping Kids Safe | Choking prevention and first aid

Preparing food safely for babies – Best Start in Life – NHS

Drowning

 Babies at this age lack the core strength and coordination to help themselves if they tip over into water.

• Many parents/carers choose to use bath seats but a common misconception is that a plastic bath seat makes a baby safe. These can easily tip over.
• Never leave your baby unattended in the bath, even if using a bath seat. If you have forgotten something, take your baby with you.
• A baby can drown in less than 5 cm (2 inches) of water. Unattended bath times, garden ponds, and paddling pools pose immediate, silent risks. Drain baths and paddling pools after use.
• Remember that drowning is silent.

Safe baby bath time: Top safety tips for parents and carers

250403_WatchOutInWaterFactSheet.pdf

RoSPA- Keeping Kids Safe | Drowning prevention and water safety