By: Baby Safety Alliance (info@babysafetyalliance.org)

 Before your baby arrives, safety feels theoretical. You read. You prepare. You install the gear. Then the baby comes home, and safety decisions start happening in real time. At 2 a.m. In the car. On the living room floor. In moments when you are tired and moving fast.

 Most safety mistakes do not come from carelessness, rather they come from ordinary moments. A baby falling asleep in the wrong place. A product used past its limits. A milestone that sneaks up sooner than expected. At the Baby Safety Alliance, we take these moments seriously and our work focuses on helping parents reduce risk.

Here are three reminders worth keeping close during your baby’s first year:

• Sleep has the highest stakes. Babies are safest on their backs, alone, on a firm, flat surface in a product designed for sleep. Swings, loungers, and car seats play a role, but not for sleep.
• Products depend on proper use. Instructions, labels, and age limits reflect real-world incidents. Following them better protects babies.
• Safety is not static in the first year. Each new milestone introduces different risks. Revisiting guidance as your baby grows helps prevent injuries before they happen.

“Parents often think they missed something if they feel unsure. Feeling unsure is normal,” says Lisa Trofe, Executive Director of the Baby Safety Alliance. “In those moments, simple steps like reading instructions, registering products, and revisiting safety guidance help parents feel more confident and keep babies safer.”

 Good news for parents and caregivers! Baby Safety 101 was created to bring these ideas together in one accessible place. To explore the full safety guide for your baby’s first year, visit BabySafety101.org.