Staying Safe Preventing Poisoning

Staying Safe: Preventing Poisoning

May 1, 2024 General /Family
kid playing

Kids are super curious! They love to explore the world around them using all their senses – seeing, smelling, touching, and even tasting. Sometimes kids eat, smell, or touch something that’s not safe for them, and this can lead to accidents like poisoning.

To help prevent accidental poisoning, make sure your home is a safe space for kids. That means every room, bathroom, kitchen, and outside areas like the garage and yard. Start by focusing on one area at a time, fix dangerous environments and put away anything harmful where kids can’t get to it.

To help make your home a safer place for kids:

  • ✓ Move cleaning products, medicine, and chemicals into locked cabinets or drawers. Also, keep an eye on things like art supplies - make sure they’re non-toxic and out of reach when not being used.
  • ✓ Be careful about plants, too - some can be poisonous. If you’re not a plant pro, ask someone who knows if you’re not sure about the plants in your home or yard.
  • ✓ Always keep drugs and alcohol locked up and away from kids. Medicine, and the bottles it comes in are not toys and should always be kept away from children.
  • ✓ Some imported jewelry, cosmetics, or household items can contain lead. Keep these items out of babies reach and mouth to help avoid lead poisoning.
  • ✓ Be mindful where you keep the trash – curious kids might find something in there to play with! Consider using a trashcan with a lid or storing trash behind a secure door.
  • ✓ Never use food containers to store things like paint or chemicals.
  • ✓ If you use bug spray or lawn products, choose ones that are safe for kids and pets.
  • ✓ Have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially near bedrooms and places with heaters.

Always keep an eye on your child, whether you’re at home or somewhere else, and teach them about what’s safe to touch and what’s not. Know the signs of poisoning: feeling sleepy, throwing up, or having trouble breathing.

If you think your child might have been poisoned, call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away. You can also get help online: https://www.poison.org/

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position