When it comes to shower gifts, choose items that are as safe as they are adorable.
“Many baby items can seem cute and harmless, but that doesn’t always mean they are safe for a baby,” says Abbey Iffrig, senior program coordinator at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Thick blankets or pillows can pose a suffocation risk. Toys with small parts could choke an infant.”
There are still lots of cute, safe gifts for the new baby in your life, Iffrig adds. As you’re registering or shopping, keep these safety tips in mind.
- In cribs, less is safer, Iffrig says. Buy some adorable fitted sheets instead of blankets, bumper pads or pillows.
- Sleep sacks and swaddles are cute and safer than blankets for keeping babies warm.
- Instead of toys with small pieces, choose items such as soft books and colorful teething rings.
- While babies are beautiful, having mirrors in the backseat of the car with them is not. Baby mirrors in the car could hurt a child in a crash and are a dangerous distraction for drivers.
If you are about to bring home a new baby, our Safety Stop team provides car seat fittings and home safety consults. To make an appointment at one of our four convenient locations, call 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS (5437) and press “3.”
