Child Safety Week: Simple Steps for Safer Feeding, Sleeping and Travel

Child Safety Week is the perfect prompt to slow down and make sure the everyday routines that keep our little ones fed, rested, and on the move are also keeping them safe.
Below, two trusted experts Siobhan Berry—Mummy Cooks and Erica Hargaden of Babogue Sleep—share their evidence-based guidance on food safety and infant sleep. We round things off with essential car-seat safety reminders from our own in-store specialists and the Road Safety Authority’s free Check It Fits service.

Food Preparation Tips

from Mummy Cooks

  • Cool food quickly – Let hot food cool at room temperature for no more than 2 hours before storing.

  • Use airtight containers – Mummy Cooks weaning pots are BPA-free and allow you to portion the food at each stage of weaning.

  • Label and date – Always label portions with the date prepared to ensure freshness and avoid waste.

Travelling with Food

from Mummy Cooks

  • Use an insulated bag – Keep food at a safe temperature when out by storing it in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack.

  • Pack just before leaving – Transfer food from the fridge or freezer into the bag right before heading out.

  • Don’t reuse leftovers – Once food has been out for over 2 hours, it’s best not to reheat or reuse it.

 

Essential Safe Sleep Guidelines for Infants

from Erica Hargaden, Babogue

Ensuring safe sleep for babies is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). With guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), here are 10 evidence-based tips to help you create a safe and secure sleep environment for your little one.

  1. Always Place Your Baby on Their Back to Sleep
    The AAP advises that babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, for naps and at night, until their first birthday. This has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.

  2. Use a Firm, Flat Sleep Surface
    Babies should sleep on a flat, firm mattress in a safety-approved cot or bassinet. Avoid inclined sleepers, soft surfaces, or couches.

  3. Keep the Sleep Area Free of Hazards
    Avoid pillows, quilts, blankets, bumper pads, soft toys, and sleep positioners in the crib. These items can increase the risk of suffocation.

  4. Share a Room, Not a Bed
    Room-sharing is encouraged for at least the first six months. It lowers the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. However, avoid bed-sharing, which increases the risk of suffocation and overheating.

  5. Use Sleep Clothing Instead of Loose Blankets
    Dress your baby in a wearable blanket or sleepsuit. These are safer alternatives to blankets, which can accidentally cover a baby’s face.

  6. Keep the Room at a Comfortable Temperature
    Overheating has been linked to a higher risk of SIDS. Maintain a room temperature between 16 °C–20 °C (60 °F–68 °F) and avoid overdressing your baby.

  7. Offer a Soother at Nap and Bedtime
    Soother use has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.

  8. Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
    Exposure to cigarette smoke, both during pregnancy and after birth, significantly increases the risk of SIDS. Ensure your baby is in a smoke-free environment at all times.

  9. Ensure Supervised Tummy Time
    Give your baby regular tummy time during waking hours to help with motor development and reduce the risk of flat head syndrome.

  10. Avoid Devices That Claim to Prevent SIDS
    Products like wedges, heart-rate monitors, or positioners are not recommended unless prescribed by a healthcare provider. There’s no substitute for following proven safe sleep guidelines.

About Erica Hargaden & Babogue
Erica Hargaden is a certified Child Sleep Consultant and the founder of Babogue, a trusted sleep consultancy dedicated to helping families build healthy sleep habits. Discover more tips and resources at babogue.com.

 

Car-Seat Safety: Check, Fit and Ask

  1. Free expert fitting in every Bella Baby store
    All of our staff are fully trained in car-seat safety. If you’re ever in doubt, just ask—we’ll check your existing seat or fit a new one at no extra cost.

  2. RSA “Check It Fits” service
    The Road Safety Authority’s team travels nationwide offering free car-seat checks and online appointments. Find your nearest clinic or book a virtual session at rsa.ie/checkitfits.

  3. When in doubt, get a second opinion
    An incorrectly installed seat is one of the most common—and most avoidable—child-safety risks on the road. Two minutes with a trained expert can make all the difference.

Final Thoughts

From the kitchen to the cot to the car, small changes can have a big impact on child safety. A huge thank-you to Mummy Cooks and Erica Hargaden of Babogue for sharing their expertise this Child Safety Week. And remember: our Bella Baby team is always here to help you choose, fit, and use the safest products for your family.

Stay safe, and enjoy every moment with your little one.