Becoming a parent is a dream come true for many people. But this is also one of the most life-altering experiences that will ever happen in your life. As such, there are a few things you should be aware of.

First, your newborn is now your most important priority. In fact, it could be argued that he or she is your only priority aside from other menial tasks. But taking care of your newborn also requires becoming knowledgeable of the dangers that all newborns face, and that all parents need to consider. 

Newborn babies are completely dependent on their parents. Correspondingly, it’s up to you to care for them and keep them safe. And understanding the issues that some newborns may face is important for nurturing and caring for your child.

If you’re a new parent, the following will explore a few little-known facts about newborns and some precautions to take to keep them safe. 

NEC

Newborn babies are exposed to a hostile environment once they enter into the world. And part of this new environment also means eating new foods. And since many mothers are unable to breastfeed their children, formula is made to compensate. The only problem is that you don’t know how your baby will react to the formula. 

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a life-threatening intestinal condition that happens when certain babies consume formula made from cow’s milk. And though this typically affects preterm babies, it can still cause serious concern.

If your baby has had a reaction to formula made from cow’s milk, you should contact your pediatrician immediately and talk about healthy alternatives. Additionally, if your baby is constantly crying and writhing in pain after giving them this type of formula, you should seek medical attention immediately. 

Acid Reflux and Constipation

If this is your first child, then you’ll probably soon learn that sometimes babies will overeat. And when they do, you need to be prepared. 

Spit-ups happen frequently with newborns when they drink too much formula. But if this is occurring quite frequently, then you might have a problem with acid reflux. 

In order to combat this, you can talk to your pediatrician about options that may help. Or you can try giving your baby probiotics as these are known to help curb or prevent acid reflux.

Additionally, your baby may also develop constipation. And this can be extremely painful for newborns (and adults). Thankfully, probiotics are also known to help with constipation as well. However, you always want to consult your pediatrician when you notice any symptoms of acid reflux or constipation. 

Crib Safety

Most parents have heard of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). And this is an unfortunate condition that can happen when you least expect it. However, it’s also one that you can prevent by following a few safety guidelines. 

• Never place your newborn face-down or on his or her side in the crib
• Refrain from having fluffy pillows or thick blankets in the crib
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing that fastens around the neck
• Keep large fluffy toys out of the crib

Crib safety is perhaps one of the more important elements to consider when it comes to the safety of your newborn. As such, keeping any battery-powered toys, any toys with cords, or anything with sharp edges out of the crib is a best safety practice.

Additionally, never use cribs older than 10 years, and refrain from using antique cribs. And always secure the crib with bumpers and skirts so that there are no large openings because the last thing you want is for your baby’s head or limbs to get stuck in between bars. 

Car Seats

Last but not least, you must have an adequate car seat when transporting your child during travel. But as a rule of thumb, always keep your child’s car seat in the backseat of the vehicle facing rearward. Additionally, ensure that your car seat is properly secured and that your using a seat that corresponds to the weight of your child. 

Further, it may be tempting to allow your child to sleep in the car seat even while at home. But this can be deadly as they could become asphyxiated. As a rule, never use your car seat as a bassinet, and try to avoid letting your child sleep in his or her car seat if possible. 

Keeping your baby safe is going to be your main priority from the moment they’re born. As such, it’s your responsibility to stay informed on the potential hazards that your newborn may face. And sticking to the advice listed here will certainly help to keep your newborn safe.