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Preventing Infant Falls
Preventing Infant FallsEvery new parent thinks about their new baby’s safety—but did you know that safety starts in the hospital,before you go home? This is when you can take steps to reduce the risk of your baby falling.The most common reason newborns fall is because of exhausted parents. While you’re in the hospital, it’simportant to get enough rest to keep your newborn safe. Exhausted parents are more likely to fall asleep andlet their newborns slip from their arms.The main reasons babies fall in the hospital include: Caregiver exhaustion. This is especially true on thesecond day after delivery, when new moms tend to be more tired and are already starting to miss sleep. Opioidmedications. A new mom is given opioid medications for pain. This can make the mother sleepy and less ableto hold a wiggling baby. A history of substance abuse. Inexperience breastfeeding. During breastfeeding, anew mom may not be used to the proper holding positions. C-section. If you have had a C-section, you maynot be physically able to hold your baby.Furniture in your maternity room may also be a risk factor for newborn falls. Many bassinets are lower than atypical hospital bed, which can make it tough to put your baby down to sleep. Skin-to-skin contact is good fornewborns, but it can also increase the risk of a fall. Skin-to-skin contact causes your body to release relaxinghormones that can make you sleepy and increase the chances of a fall or drop.There are several steps you can take to help prevent an accidental infant fall. Ask for help if you’re tired,especially if you taken pain medications in the last 2 to 4 hours. Make sure you can safely move your newbornfrom the hospital bed to the bassinette after a feeding or after receiving pain medications. If you are not sure,ask for help.Enjoy skin-to-skin contact with your baby, but make sure to call a nurse or ask your partner or anothercaregiver to take your baby to a safe sleeping environment before you fall asleep. Make sure you get as muchuninterrupted sleep as possible, especially in the first 48 hours after delivery.If you’re breastfeeding, take advantage of lactation education and counseling to ensure you are feeding yourbaby in the proper holding technique. Pay attention to when you’re feeling tired and ask for help if you’rehaving trouble staying awake while holding or breastfeeding your newborn so you can keep your baby safeand healthy in the hospital.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER56246B EN PreventingInfantFalls.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 1
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