children s health issues
Preventive Health Care Visits in Infants
Safety
At these visits, the doctor gives parents age-appropriate safety guidelines. The following safety guidelines apply to infants from birth to age 12 months: Use a rear-facing car seat and place it in the back seat of the vehicle. Set the hot water heater to 120° F or less. Prevent falls from changing tables and around stairs. Place infants on their back to sleep on a firm, flat mattress for every sleep, do not share a bed, and do not place pillows, bumper pads, nonfitted sheets, stuffed animals or other toys, quilts, comforters, or weighted or loose blankets in the crib. (See also sidebar .) Do not give infants foods and objects that can cause choking or be inhaled into the lungs. Do not use baby walkers. Place safety latches on cabinets and cover electrical outlets. Remain alert when watching infants in the bathtub or near a pool or any body of water and when they are learning to walk. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Transportation Safety Resources). This guidance from the CDC is for the United States, and regulations may differ in other countries. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Transportation Safety Resources). This guidance from the CDC is for the United States, and regulations may differ in other countries. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Transportation Safety Resources). This guidance from the CDC is for the United States, and regulations may differ in other countries. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Transportation Safety Resources). This guidance from the CDC is for the United States, and regulations may differ in other countries. 