Skip to Content Skip to Footer
LiveWell WIC logo
Livewell Wic
  • Home
  • Ellyn Satter
    • Ellyn Satter
      Prenatal / Postpartum
    • Ellyn Satter
      Newborn / Infant
    • Ellyn Satter
      Older Baby / Almost Toddler
    • Ellyn Satter
      Toddler / Preschooler
  • Breastfeeding
  • Eat·Grow·Live Healthy
    • Eat·Grow·Live Healthy
      Women
    • Eat·Grow·Live Healthy
      Infants
    • Eat·Grow·Live Healthy
      Children
    • Eat·Grow·Live Healthy
      Fathers
  • Live Well Blog
  • Español
Kids playing in living room

Creating a Safe Home for Babies & Toddlers

  • Home
  • Live Well Blog
  • Creating a Safe Home for Babies & Toddlers
August 14, 2024 General /Family

Babies and toddlers are curious and love to explore, so it’s important for parents to make home a safe place to learn and play.

Sadly, accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.1

Help keep your little ones safe, both indoors and outdoors, as they grow more independent. Create a safer environment for your child with these easy steps:

Babies and toddlers are curious and love to explore, so it’s important for parents to make home a safe place to learn and play.

Sadly, accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.1

Help keep your little ones safe, both indoors and outdoors, as they grow more independent. Create a safer environment for your child with these easy steps:

one-hash

Get a good view

  • Get down on your hands and knees and look around each room in your home. This can help you spot things that your baby might reach for or find interesting.
Number two in a lavender circle.

Follow Some Baby Proofing Basics:

  • Cover electrical outlets and tuck away cords behind furniture.
  • Secure heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, to the wall to prevent them from tipping over.
  • Remove clutter and keep sharp corners covered or padded.
  • Use safety gates to block stairs and rooms that are not safe for children.
  • Create barriers around fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.
  • Use toilet seat latches and never leave a child alone in the bathtub.
  • Keep children away from the kitchen stove, turn pot and pan handles inward, and store sharp objects out of reach.
  • Store cleaning products, medicines, and other harmful items in a locked cabinet.
  • Keep small items like batteries and magnets away from children.
  • Lower the water heater temperature to prevent burns.

Sleeping Safe

  • Make sure your child’s sleep environment is safe and appropriate for their age.
  • Remember the A, B, Cs of SAFE SLEEP for your baby’s first year:

ALONE – no blankets, pillows, toys, or other objects near your baby.

BACK – babies breathe easier and sleep better on their back.

CRIB – sharing a bed isn’t safe; babies need their own safe space.

three-hash
Don’t forget your ABC’s!
four-hash

Outside Safety

  • Lock doors and windows and use alarms to prevent children from wandering outside unsupervised.
  • If you have a pool, install proper fencing and alarms. Never leave a child alone near water.
  • Everyone over the age of 6 months needs sun protection. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Babies younger than 6 months should stay out of the sun.2
five-hash

Be Prepared for Emergencies

  • Teach your children about safety and how to recognize and avoid dangers.
  • Show them how to call 911 and what to do in case of a fire.
  • Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
  • Keep the Poison Control number handy (1-800-222-1222)
  • Consider learning basic first aid and CPR. Many local fire departments offer free classes.
By following these steps, you can make your home a safer place for your child to grow and explore. Remember, keeping an eye on your children, setting rules, and teaching them about safety, will all help to prevent accidents and injuries. Creating a safe environment for your baby takes work, but preventing an accident is well worth the effort to keep your little ones safe and healthy!

Need more info or resources? Check out:

  • Prevent Child Injury at https://www.preventchildinjury.org/
  • Safe Kids Worldwide at https://www.safekids.org/
  • Until Help Arrives, FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/node/you-are-help-until-help-arrives-1

REFERENCES:

1) Injuries and Violence Are Leading Causes of Death, CDC:
https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/animated-leading-causes.html
2) Sunscreen FAQs, American Academy of Dermatology:
https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen#

You May Also Like...

April 8, 2026

Avoiding Food Waste

Simple Tips to Reduce Food Waste and Stretch Your WIC Benefits Ana was tired of throwing food away. She felt like her money was literally going in the trash. She…

Read More
1
March 18, 2026

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – What Families Need to Know

The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for AmericansEvery five years, nutrition experts update the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to share the best advice on healthy eating. The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines help families…

Read More
1
February 11, 2026

Finding Calm When Life Gets Busy: Stress-Management for Parents

Finding Calm When Life Gets Busy Parenting is full of love, joy, and often times, stress. Between caring for little ones, managing meals, grocery shopping, budgets, jobs, and everything else,…

Read More
2
  • Infant
    • When to Start Peanut and Egg to Help Prevent Allergies
    • The Basics of Paced Bottle-Feeding
    • How Do I Know If My Baby Could Be Tongue-Tied?
    • Protect Your Baby from Cronobacter
    • Exploring the World with Baby – Sensory Play
  • Children
    • Shopping With Kids: A Simple Way to Help Them Like More Foods
    • Pumpkin Fun: Free and Healthy Activities for Kids Under 5
    • Letting Your Child Play with Food Can Be a Good Thing
    • Is Snack Time Treat Time?
    • Fun Ways to Learn About Healthy Food and Get Moving!
  • General /Family
    • Avoiding Food Waste
    • The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – What Families Need to Know
    • Finding Calm When Life Gets Busy: Stress-Management for Parents
    • February Is National Heart Month: Simple Ways to Show Your Heart Some Love
    • 10 Ways to Enjoy Avocados – And Helpful Tips to Feed with Confidence
  • Women
    • Pumping Basics & Safe Breast Milk Storage Guide
    • Getting a Good Latch: Breastfeeding Positions & Holds That Help
    • Newborn Hunger Cues: How to Know When Your Baby Is Hungry or Full
    • How to Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breastmilk
    • Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts and Sleep Changes
  • Recipes
    • Fresh & Easy Spring Snacks for Toddlers
    • Fresh & Easy Spring Veggie Pasta
    • Heart-Healthy Recipe: Banana Berry Oatmeal Cups
    • Is the Chia Seed Challenge Worth It?
    • Extra Vegetables Quiche
LiveWell WIC program logo

Contact Us

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Cookie PolicyAbout UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of Agreement

© Brush Art Corporation

  • Email
  • SMS
If you are using multiple emails, separate them with commas.

    SMS Communication Consent

    Share

    Share this link via:

    Cartoon vegetables with leafy tops gather playfully together.

    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
    Yellow circle with abstract, jagged shapes and patterns.

    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
    Cat playing with butterfly in a garden.

    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
    Peach circle with abstract shapes radiating outward.

    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
    Smiling peach character waving cheerful hello.

    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