Becoming parents for the first time is a joyous experience nine months in the making. First-time parents may be a little apprehensive about life with an infant. Despite all the books, well-meaning relatives and personal research, a lot of what goes into caring for an infant is a combination of instinct and trial and error.

Safety and security is paramount when caring for a baby. An infant relies on his or her parents for everything, including a safe environment in which to grow. New parents can keep these safety guidelines in mind as they care for their children.

Car safety

A trip home from the hospital likely will be the first car ride your baby will take. The American Academy of Pediatrics says most injuries and deaths from car crashes can be prevented by the use of car safety seats. An infant should ride in the back seat in a rear-facing car seat. Ensure the seat is installed correctly by reading and following the instructions that come with the car seat as well as instructions in the vehicle manual.

Bath time

Babies and young children can drown in just one to two inches of water, advises Nationwide Children’s Hospital. When bathing a baby, never leave the child alone in the bathtub, even for a second. Use a sink or an infant tub with a non-skid mat so that most of the baby’s body and all of his or her face is out of the water. Keep all supplies within reach so you can keep one hand on your baby at all times. Check the temperature of the water with a thermometer to make sure it is not too hot, as babies can be scalded at temperatures that would not cause burns in adults.

Falls

Although infants cannot crawl or walk early on, they will wiggle and push against things with their feet. Soon your baby will be able to roll over. Do not leave your baby alone on changing tables, elevated furniture, beds, and the like. When your child is able to crawl, extra caution is needed to block off staircases or rooms where he or she might get hurt.

Sleep

Babies will spend a lot of time sleeping, and their cribs and bassinets should meet current safety standards. Well-meaning parents or grandparents may want to pass down a crib, but that crib might not meet the safety requirements recommended today.

Mattresses should be firm and fit snugly inside of a crib or bassinet. Keep items like comforters, quilts, stuffed toys, pillows, and bumpers out of the crib, as each can increase the risk for suffocation. Use a wearable zip-up blanket sack for the baby instead.

The Safe to Sleep® campaign was instituted in 1994 by the AAP Task Force and recommends babies be placed on their backs to sleep for naps and overnight to help reduce instances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding, sharing a room with a baby for the first six months and offering a baby a pacifier also can help reduce SIDS.

These safety guidelines are some of the many recommendations parents can keep in mind when caring for their babies.