If your baby is between 6 months and 12 months old, they completely depend on you for their health and safety. The best way to protect them is to be aware of the risks your young baby faces, and what actions you can take to help keep your baby safe.
At this stage of development
At this age, your baby might be very busy, and they’ll be learning new skills every day. They may be able to sit up, crawl, pull on things to stand up, walk, and climb things like furniture. They’ll be interested in trying new foods, playing with toys, and picking up small items and put them in their mouth. They’ll also become more vocal, by babbling and copying your sounds.
Top safety concerns for your baby
- Falling from beds, stairs, and change tables
- Choking on small pieces
- Swallowing poisons like medicine and cleaning products
- Being burned by hot bath water or from spilled hot liquids
- Being hurt in a car crash
- Drowning (even in a tub with very little water)
Safety at home
- Keep your baby in a secured safe place, like a playpen, crib, or highchair when you're not in arm’s reach.
- Use a baby gate that screws into the wall at the top of the stairs. A pressure-mounted gate is fine for the bottom of the stairs.
- Cut your baby’s food into pieces smaller than your fingernail.
- Keep one hand on your baby at all times during bath time.
- Measure all medicines and write down the amount and time it was given.
- Move the crib mattress to the lowest position once your baby is able to sit up.
- Place corner guards on furniture with sharp edges or temporarily remove certain furniture.
- Use the safety straps on baby seats and other play equipment.
- Keep blind cords out of reach.
- Cover electrical outlets that are lower than counter height.
- Use covered mugs, even in the house.
- Use teething toys and gentle gum massages instead of teething jewellery.
- Add your local poison control numbers to your phone contact list: in NS and PEI call 1-800-565-8161, in NB call 811 or 911, and in NL call 1-844-POISONX.
Safety on the road
- Drive slowly, cautiously, and with complete and total awareness of your surroundings.
- Always use a rear-facing car seat on every ride in a car, truck, or van, even when travelling in a taxi.
- Buckle all parts of the harness and tighten it until it fits snugly.
- Dress your baby in light layers and add blankets over top, after your baby is safely buckled.
- When your baby is too heavy or too tall for the limits of the infant seat, use a larger, rear-facing car seat.
- Buckle your baby in their stroller using the safety harness.
Car seats save lives and protect babies from injury in a car crash.
Learn more about how to choose, install, and use a car seat.
Safety at play
- Follow age recommendations on toys.
- Choose larger toys without sharp edges, magnets, or batteries.
- If a toy fits in a toilet paper roll, it’s too small.
- Keep toys and other items (e.g.. remotes) with button batteries out of your baby’s reach.
- If a toy has batteries, make sure the battery door is secured with screws or strong tape.
- Use teething toys and gentle gum massages instead of teething jewellery.
- Help your baby learn and grow by enjoying playtime together.
- Use baby seats, swings, exersaucers and other activity mats on the floor.
- Be aware of what your baby can reach for when they’re playing on the floor.
- Get down to your baby’s level and remove any small items, hot items, or cords within reach.
- Remove any toys from the crib before putting your baby down to sleep.
- Remove mobiles as soon as your baby can sit or pull themselves up in the crib.
- Buckle your baby in their stroller using the safety harness.