Accidents Happen

 

Your toddler may have already learned how to walk, run and climb by the time he reaches 18-24 months of age. Whether he already has done so, or learns them now, these three important skills make your job to prevent accidents a life-saving one! Because of toddlers' natural curiosity, they can get themselves in situations-climbing into fireplaces or onto counters, for example-and be in serious danger in a blink of an eye!

 

Alarming statistics show that accidents are the number one cause of death in young children. Most accidents occur as a result of children's normal healthy curiosity. Chances of getting hurt increase as children creep, crawl, walk, climb and put their fingers, mouths and other parts of their bodies in places that are dangerous...but they don't know it! 

 

Learn more about childproofing and keeping your toddler safe

 

Brain Science for Your Baby

 

Toddlers are into everything - if not on top of it! Science tells us that exploration is really important to brain development.  But experience tells us that toddlers can be reckless explorers - and it is important to make exploring as safe as you can.  Children need to have safe places to play and safe toys to play with.  

 

Although most slips and trips don't cause serious brain injury - falls from high places can.  It is also really important to make sure that your child's brain isn't exposed to toxins.  Make sure that toys are lead free and that your child can't get into medications or cleaning supplies.  Toxins can be very damaging to brain cells.   The CDC has an excellent website that will help you make sure your home is safe.  Go to:  www.cdc.gov/parents/infants/safety.html.  

Also check out www.charlieshouse.org for tips on safety.  
A Baby Buffer Prescription for Your Baby
  • Keep the spaces that your toddler plays in everyday in your home safe by plugging outlets, put padding on sharp corners on furniture and keeping small objects picked up. 
  • Closely supervise your toddler when you are in a new environment.  Let her explore, but be sure to be close by in case she gets into a dangerous situation. 

A baby Buffer Prescription for You  

  • Your job is to keep your toddler safe, while giving her chances to explore her world. Doing this is a hard balance, sometimes.
  • Arrange another time, outside of the time playing with your toddler, for chatting or doing projects with friends that will distract you from watching and playing with your child.   

 

What Your Baby Can Do - Developmental Milestones 

 

Children in this age range are moving away from their "baby" stage and toward the greater world that they have never been physically able to explore before. Talking, walking and asserting their independence are the hallmarks of this stage, developmentally. Children need to explore...we just need to help them do so safely!

 
Baby Buffer Blog
Our friend Gene*

 

Your Crying Baby

 

Greetings and salutations from the center of your living world - and, of course I mean your BABY! That Special Kid, or TSK for short.

 

I'm Gene, a special advisor for you, and I live in every cell of your body and your baby's (TSK's) body!  I live in the DNA parts which are the instructions that tell all the rest of your body what to do. I'm a little bossy that way!

 

Today I want to talk to you about one of the most helpless feelings in the world; being a sleep-deprived parent of a crying infant!  This is pretty common and can lead to depression for parents or anyone in the household. 

 

Read Gene's full blog here

*Gene's blog is written by Greta McFarland, MD, FAAP

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