How to Protect Your Baby's Head
Invest a few minutes in learning how to protect your baby's head from injury and it will help you safeguard your child from potential lifelong health issues.
Instructions
- : Consult your doctor for care and treatment advice if your baby has suffered a head injury.
- Step 1: Know the cause Know that falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in children from birth to age 4.
- Step 2: Prevent falls Prevent falls to protect your baby's head by never leaving them alone on a changing table, bed, chair, or other elevated surface.
- TIP: Place your baby in a playpen, crib, or on the floor if you are going to leave the room.
- Step 3: Avoid using walkers Don't use baby walkers, which are a common cause of falls leading to head injuries. Instead, get a stationary activity center, which has some of the same toys as a walker, but is safer.
- Step 4: Use a car safety seat Purchase a car seat suitable for the infant's age and weight to protect your baby's head from injury while driving. Properly install your car safety seat, following package directions.
- TIP: Always use a seat belt to secure a baby in a shopping cart.
- Step 5: Prevent shaken baby syndrome Prevent shaken baby syndrome, a potentially fatal brain injury caused by violent shaking, by learning positive ways to manage infant crying.
- Step 6: Inform others Inform sitters of the ways you wish them to safeguard your baby, and keep your pediatrician's phone number handy. Now you can rest, knowing you're prepared for a head injury emergency.
- FACT: Shaken baby syndrome is the cause of 95 percent of serious head injuries in infants younger than 12 months.
You Will Need
- Understanding of the causes of head injuries
- Age-appropriate car safety seat
- Your pediatrician's phone number
- Playpen or crib (optional)
- Shopping cart seat belt (optional)