10 tips to keep a new baby safe.

It has been over 5 months since we brought Bunny Boo home from the hospital. Now I have to admit I'm not a clean freak or one of those sterilize, clean, wipe down the area thrice a day kind of Mommies. I am a careful Mommy but not an obsessively protective one.
Bringing Bunny girl home from the hospital was easier as we just had Hubby and self at home. With Bunny Boo, though, we have had to be a little more careful as big sister Bunny girl adores him to bits and we try to implement a few 'rules' to ensure he's kept safe health-wise, especially as she also goes to preschool.

If you're having a new baby soon and you have an older offspring (who is still a baby, preschooler or elementary school goer) who is excited about baby's arrival, the first six Lysol & Twitter Moms inspired tips are just for you. The last four tips are some 'baby musts we've observed with Bunny girl and now observe with Bunny Boo :

1. When Bunny Boo was born, Bunny girl was instructed to only kiss his arm or his leg and not his face.
2. As soon as Bunny girl comes in from preschool, I sit Bunny Boo in his bouncer in the bathroom and give Bunny girl a good 'sterilize away those preschool germs' bath. Till she finishes her bath she isn't allowed to hold his hand especially as he has begun to teethe and loves chewing on his fingers.
3. We make sure we wash Bunny girl and Bunny Boo's clothes separately in the washing machine. I know the wash cycles and washing detergents clean out any potential 'germ travels' but we'd rather play safe.
4. When we do go out as a family, I always ensure I carry a travel size hand santizer to keep both the children's hands and arm areas clean. (We don't just apply the sanitizer on the palms but also on the forearms.)
5. We then have those preschool events and parties where the Mommies sit in with the kids. On such occassions, I ensure I attend them with Bunny Boo in my Infant Carrier as it keeps him close to me, with less exposure to the excited little preschoolers who want to see Bunny girl's baby brother. Another big plus is it doesn't give room for any of the other Mommies to ask to carry him around. (Now ladies, I can assure you that this is NOT being obsessively protective...it's being careful!)
6. Since Bunny Boo has begun to try out some rice cereal, pureed carrots and rice, I have made sure I have a seperate set of feeding utensils set aside for him. We ensure we sterilize these in boiling water and also make sure that Bunny girl does not use any of the bowls or spoons for even a tiny snack.
7. Now I know using wet wipes are the easiest way to clean down a baby right after he/she has pooped. I admit that I do this any time Bunny Boo poops in the night but I would suggest that you wash your baby's bottom and anal area under running water during the day, especially after he/she loads a diaper with poop. I can assure you that you will see that he/she will never suffer from frequent diaper rashes. Both my babies are testament of that!
8. Make sure you clean areas your baby is around frequently. It may look like your baby's crib rails, baby essentials table top, bath tub etc look clean but you're really better off giving all of this a good scrub-scrub and wipe down even if it's just with a dust-cloth and on those non wood surfaces, with warm water and a teaspoonful of vinegar. (Try to stay as natural on your cleaning products as you can especially with a new baby at home.)
   
9. If you have toys that you use to entertain baby with or have toys that your infant plays with, ensure you wash and clean them frequently. A good wash in the machine with a teaspoon of vinegar would do the trick for cloth based toys while plastic rattles, toys etc can be soaked in warm water with a spot of Dettol or sprayed down with some Dapple Baby Toy Cleaning Products. To dry these out, nothing beats a good few hours in the sun to complete the disinfecting process.
10. Last but not the least, make sure you keep washing your hands throughout the day. Scrub them out with soap and make sure you clean them properly under warm (or hot) running water. (To make sure you've done it long enough, sing the Alphabet song as you wash your hands....that's what Bunny girl has been instructed to do! Sing it in your head if you're shy to do it out aloud!!)

Remember there's only so much you can do to keep your child safe, humanly. Psalms 91 says that when you make the LORD your everything, He will ensure that no sickness will come into your dwelling place.

⁹ Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling
(Psalms 91: 9,10)


Trust God to oversee everything concerning your child.

Do you have any Mommy Tips to share with Mommies bring a new baby home? Well, me and the other Twitter Moms would love to read about them, so hop on over and link up your post, right here.


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** EBMR Disclaimer: ““I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Lysol® Wee Wisdom blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” ” **

Labels: Lysol, Mommy Tips, Twitter Moms

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 3:14 PM