Pregnancy Resources

Many of the following safety tips appear to be common sense, but it is important to keep them in mind to ensure your baby’s wellbeing:

• Learn how to use your infant car seat before leaving the hospital. Always use a car seat when driving; it’s the law in Ohio
• Don’t use a car seat made before January 1, 1981
• If your car is in an accident, buy a new car seat
• Never leave your baby alone in a car
• Never leave your baby alone in a room unless he/she is in a crib, bassinet or playpen with the sides up and locked
• Make sure crib rails are not more than 2 3/8 inches apart
• Place the infant to sleep on his or her back on a firm mattress
• Keep small objects, pillows, bed covers, broken toys and plants away from the baby
• Never hang necklaces or pacifiers around a newborn’s neck
• Keep an eye on young children and pets when they are around the baby
• Keep emergency phone numbers (poison control center, police, ambulance and pediatrician) next to all telephones
• If a visiting nurse calls to schedule a home visit, confirm the appointment with University Home Care
• Always ask to see proper I.D., and never let the baby out of your sight
• If the home care nurse tells you that your baby needs to go to the hospital, take the baby yourself or by ambulance
• The Center for Exploited and Missing Children advises NOT to place public birth announcements in newspapers or on front lawn signs (for example, “It’s a Boy/Girl!”)