CHRISTUS Health recognizes Baby Safety Month with protective tips and guidelines

CHRISTUS Health is recognizing Baby Safety Month in September by providing tips and empowering families with tools to keep their infants safe.

“Babies are incredibly fragile, especially in the first few months of life,” said Garrison Nichols, registered nurse and clinical educator at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. “This is when they’re most vulnerable and when trust begins to form. It’s critical to establish safe practices early.”

Nichols emphasized the importance of limiting public exposure for infants, particularly during the first six months. Even well-intended gestures like kissing babies on the face can transmit harmful viruses during this early stage of development. Handwashing is highly recommended before handling an infant.

“Taking newborns to crowded places like grocery stores or family gatherings can be risky,” he said. “Their immune systems aren’t fully developed, and exposure to viruses like RSV or even herpes can be dangerous.”

When it comes to household safety, Nichols recommends using an up-to-date crib and following the ABCs of safe sleep: babies should sleep Alone, on their Back and in a Crib free of blankets, toys or stuffed animals.

“We want to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome,” he said. “Things like letting babies sleep on their stomachs or with a bunch of loose stuffed animals are major risk factors.”

Nichols also suggested the use of baby monitors with screens. Especially for the transition from the hospital to home, these tools can help parents feel more secure.

“They also have the outlet that monitors their breathing and oxygen saturation if you're worried about it,” Nichols Said. “It could give you peace of mind but just know that if the baby moves a lot, it could alarm.”

Car seat safety is another critical area. Infants should always be rear-facing, and no additional padding should be added to the seat unless it came with it. Modifying the car seat can compromise its safety features, Nichols said.

Every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon., the Cabrini Women’s and Children’s Hospital host a free car seat check led by clinical educator Tiuana McDonald and a local deputy.

This program can teach you how to:

• Select the proper child restraint
• Ensure that your child is placed into the restraint properly
• Ensure that the restraint is correctly installed in your vehicle

Nichols said that this program will give you a car seat for free in the event yours is out of date.

The hospital also provides discharge education for NICU families, including CPR training and hands-on practice in hotel-style rooms designed to simulate home environments. The transition out of the NICU can be stressful, and programs like this help parents feel more confident.