If you gave birth a few years ago you’ll find that infant care has changed since the beginning of the last decade. It seems there are changes every year on how to keep those little bundles of joy safe and healthy. This is because research is constantly being performed and each year new information is uncovered. This information on infant care covers everything from how to keep them safe during car rides to what foods they should and should not, when to eat and so much more. Are you interested in some of the newest changes?
Transportation
For the longest time it was recommended that babies needed to sit in re-facing car seats for at least their first year. After the first birthday they could sit facing forward. The American Academy of Pediatrics always advocated for kids to stay rear-facing for as long as possible. Those little legs get to growing and it only seems right to turn the seat around; however the AAP recommended keeping the rear-facing position for the maximum limit of the car seat.
Parents and pediatricians were confused about the AAP’s suggestion that 20 pounds and after the first birthday was the minimum time for making the switch to forward-facing. It turns out that young kids need to stay in the rear-facing position because it is less likely to lead to head and neck injuries in the event of an impact collision. In fact, according to one study kids two years old and younger are 75% less likely to be seriously hurt or die in an accident when they are facing rearwards.
It turns out that even older kids fare better when facing rearwards. Convertible car seats can accommodate kids in the rear-facing position for up to 35 pounds. And if you’re worried about squished legs, don’t be. Bent knees is not a problem, even in an accident.
Don’t Be a Softie
Which really means keep all the soft bedding out of the crib. It used to be thought that having bumpers on the sides of the crib would keep little ones from hitting their head on the side of the crib. Pillows, bumpers and over fluffy comforters can cause suffocation. It’s actually been over seven years since the AAP made an official recommendation against crib bumpers in infant care. Keep your child safe and don’t worry about him banging his head.
Oh Nuts to That!
The old school of thought regarding infant care and food was that peanuts, tree nuts and other allergenic foods should not be introduced to a baby until three years of age. Research has shown that keeping certain foods – like peanuts – away from babies actually may increase their chances of having food allergies. A study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2015 which revealed that kids who had peanuts between four and eleven months of age actually had a lower risk of developing a peanut allergy when they reached age five. So, a little taste of this and that may keep your child from developing food allergies later. With that being said, honey is still off limits because of the botulism risk.
You may be wondering how to keep up with the changes that occur in the world of infant care. Having a pediatrician that you can speak with freely is key. At Pediatric Healthcare we stay informed about changes that pertain to infant care and beyond. If you are looking for excellent health care for your kids, contact us. You can talk to us about anything affecting your child. We have answers for you.
