How do I keep my baby safe?

It’s your number one priority, and our consumer editor, Sarah Kingsford, has found the products you need to keep your baby safe…      

With all the responsibility of caring for a new baby, being a parent can be a nerve-wracking time - I’m on baby number three, and I still worry! Thankfully, there are products out there which will help to give you peace of mind.

For the nursery, I’d definitely recommend buying a monitor. This means that you won’t have to spend all night running upstairs to stare into the cot, you’ll be able to leave the room and still hear your baby when she wakes up.

As you’ll soon discover, there are plenty available, from the most basic which simply plugs into a socket and costs around £20, to video monitors costing around £100. If you want to keep a check on your baby’s breathing, a monitor with a sensor mat will alert you if there’s no movement – although from my own experience, these can be a great way to make you completely paranoid!

Keep an eye on the room temperature, too. For around £3 you can buy a simple thermometer which will give you an idea of how warm things are getting. Bedding is important - you don’t want her wriggling down under the covers and overheating, so think about a sleeping bag.

You can buy light ones for summer and warmer ones for winter so you don’t have to worry about how many blankets you’re using (and you should avoid duvets, quilts and pillows under a year).

At bathtime, check the water temperature with a thermometer, and use a bath mat to make things a little less slippery. Bath supports are fantastic. Made from either plastic, foam or fabric, these hold your baby, leaving your hands free, and making bathtime a lot more fun for everyone.

When it comes to feeding, obviously you want to avoid tummy upsets, so make sure all your equipment is spotlessly clean and free from germs. A microwave or electric steam steriliser is what you need - choose one for speed and capacity, depending on how often you’ll be using it.

For warming bottle feeds, avoid the microwave (it can cause hot spots) and be careful if you’re using a jug of hot water, put it in a safe place well clear of your baby, as it can easily be knocked over. The safest way is to use a bottle warmer.

If you want more information, contact your health visitor, GP’s surgery or baby clinic, and they should be able to help. And here are some of the products I’ve found useful with my three. I hope they can help you too!

Safety tips

• Always put your baby to sleep on her back, in the feet to foot position - this means her feet should be at the bottom of the cot, so she can’t wriggle down under the covers.

• Keep an eye on the temperature of the nursery - it should be around 18 degrees C or 65 degrees F.

• The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in her own cot in your room. It’s tempting to take her into your bed or doze with her on the sofa, but it’s not worth the risk.

• At bath time always put the cold water in first.

• Check the water temperature before putting your baby in - it should be between 36-38 degrees C or 97 - 100 degrees F. Use your elbow, or to be certain, a bath thermometer.

• Never leave your baby alone in the bath for a second - if the phone rings, ignore it!

• Buy a thermometer to take your baby’s temperature - that way you’re prepared if she gets ill.

• If you’re at all worried, call the doctor.