Swabs
Swabs should never be used to clean the ears of babies and very young children. To avoid damaging your child’s eardrum or hurt him if he moves, use a warm damp washcloth to simply wipe his ear without entering the ear canal.
Pillows, cushions and teddy bears
To prevent choking hazards, it is best not to put any pillows in your baby’s crib. You should also avoid fabrics and cushions all around the bed. Your baby could move inadvertently and choke because he probably would not be able to turn his face away. Teddy bears and dolls also present a risk, even for your older baby who could use them to climb ... and fall.
Syrup
Health Canada advises against giving cough medicine to children under 6 years old, in syrup, pill or suppository form. In addition to being of no use against cough, these syrups could be dangerous for your child. If your baby is coughing a lot, place a humidifier in his room, give him enough water and consult a doctor if his cough lasts more than 5 days.
Sunscreen
Before 6 months, your baby's skin is very sensitive and prone to allergies. Rather than using sunscreen at that age, it is best to keep your baby in the shade and protect him with loose clothing and a hat.
Car seats
Your baby’s car seat is wonderful to go from the car to the stroller and to ensure that he is safe while you shower and cook, but it is best not to leave your baby in it for hours. Let your baby lie down to sleep and let him play on his tummy rather than keeping him seated for too long. It would put too much pressure on his spine and after a while, it could interfere with his breathing.
Relief of choking
If your baby ever chokes on food, you should not perform the Heimlich manoeuvre for adults (which involves applying pressure with the thumbs under the ribs) to relieve him. If it ever happens, you should rather put your baby face down on your forearm while holding his head with your fingers on each side of his mouth. You must then apply quick and firm pressure 5 times on his back. If you do not see the object in his mouth and if he is still choking, press the middle of his chest 5 times with your fingers. Repeat until the foreign object is expelled. If your child is unconscious, call 911 immediately.
Pets
A newborn baby does not have that smell that is unique to humans. This is why you should never leave a baby alone with a pet. Your baby could be mistaken with a predator and be attacked by your pet that proudly defends its territory.
Honey
Do not give honey to a baby before the age of one year, even if only to sweeten food or on his pacifier. Honey can contain botulism spores that will grow in the intestines of your baby. Infant botulism is rare but deadly.
Put him on his feet too early
The legs and back of a baby are not strong enough to support his weight. Therefore, it is not recommended to make your baby stand up too early, even if you hold him under the arms. It is especially dangerous to put him in a walker. Baby walkers are banned in Canada since 2004 due to the risks of accident. It is best to wait until your baby is 6-8 months old and can stay sitting before letting him stand and even at that age, only do so for a few minutes. His reflexes might make him look like he is ready, but he is not.
Playing too hard
A laughing baby is adorable and we all look forward to playing with our child, but we must be gentle because babies are extremely fragile. Shaking them, for example, can lead to permanent neurological damage. The ratio between their arms and body does not allow them to be lifted by the hands either. Playing this way could dislocate his elbow or his shoulder. It is best to tickle him and rock him gently. Big games will come later.
