Lan – Page 9 – Parenting in Manitoba

Infant Helmet Guide

Posted on August 13, 2020July 25, 2025 by Lan

Bike helmets are important. In a crash, a helmet can reduce the risk of a serious head injury by up to 85 per cent. By law, all Manitoba cyclists under 18 years of age must wear a bike helmet. This includes infants and toddlers riding in a bike trailer or bike carrier and while riding on a tricycle or a push bicycle.

When shopping for a helmet for your child, look for one that:

is recommended for cycling. Look for a bike helmet or a multi-sport helmet that it is approved for cycling.
is certified by organizations such as the Canadian Safety Association (CSA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Snell, European Standards (EN) or Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS).
fits the shape and size of your child’s head.
is adjustable to make a snug fit.
is comfortable and that your child likes.

Bicycle helmets for infants/toddlers

It can be challenging to find a helmet small enough to fit a young child. Look inside the helmet and on the package to see the size range of the helmet. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) introduced new standards for children over one year of age where the helmets are designed to fit smaller heads.

How to fit your child’s helmet

An illustration of a person measuring a child's head.

Use a tape measure to find your child’s head size. The helmet packaging will tell you the size range that it fits.
Go by the head measurement, rather than the child’s age. While the smallest helmet fits the average six- to eight-month-old, it may be too large for older toddlers who are small for their age or born prematurely (early).
Straps can loosen over time. Check the fit of your child’s helmet regularly and adjust the fit as needed.
Choose a helmet that fits snugly. Buy the size that fits right now, not a larger helmet for your child will grow into.
Use the sizing pads or adjustable band to fit the helmet to your child’s head. The helmet fits properly when:
- It does not wobble from side to side, or tilt from front to back.
- It does not move when your child shakes his/her head in any direction.
- The helmet stays level across the forehead just above the eyebrows.

Adjust the helmet according to the 2-V-1 Rule

2 – The helmet should be no more than two finger widths above the eyebrows.

V– The straps should form a “V” under each ear.

1 – One finger should fit between the chin strap and the chin.

Straps can loosen over time. Check the fit of your helmet and your child’s helmet regularly.

Three illustrations demonstrating the 2-V-1 Rule.

Take care of your child’s helmet

Take care of the helmet so it will continue to offer good protection.
Cycling helmets are intended to withstand one hard impact. Replace the helmet if it has been in a crash, or has had a hard fall, even if it does not seem to be damaged.
Do not drop the helmet as this can cause damage.
Avoid storing it in a hot place like the trunk of your car since heat can cause the foam to deteriorate.
Do not apply stickers to the helmet as this can weaken the plastic.
Clean the helmet following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace helmets every three to five years because they deteriorate over time.

Resources:

Manitoba Public Insurance – Cycling 101

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Safer Swaddling

Posted on May 29, 2020July 31, 2025 by Lan

What are the risks of swaddling?

Swaddling can get in the way of mother-baby bonding and newborn feeding

Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby has many benefits. It helps you develop your relationship with your baby, helps reduce your baby’s stress, promotes more restful sleep and helps with breastfeeding.

Tight swaddling can be risky

Tight swaddling can interfere with breathing and can even lead to pneumonia. Your baby must have enough room for their chest to move.
It can cause long-term hip problems. Your baby must have enough room to freely move the hips and legs.

Swaddling for sleep may result in sudden infant death

Loose fabric can cover baby’s face and cause suffocation.
If the baby becomes unwrapped, the fabric can become wrapped around baby’s neck and cause strangulation.
The baby may roll onto their stomach and be unable to roll back.
Babies wrapped in blankets or heavy fabrics can get too hot, which increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sleeping with a baby on a bed or couch greatly increases the risk of sudden infant death and suffocation. This risk is even higher when a baby is swaddled.

What are the reasons for swaddling?

If you’ve tried to soothe your crying baby by feeding, changing, and cuddling and your baby still isn’t comforted, you might try swaddling to calm them.
Healthcare providers may recommend swaddling during bottle feeding for babies who are born prematurely, who become upset or distracted when feeding, who have a very low birth weight, or who have trouble gaining weight.
Swaddling can provide pain relief for infants. Your doctor or nurse might swaddle your baby for needles or other painful procedures.

Choose a wrap that is:

Free of drawstrings, ribbons, cords or tight elastic.
Free of buttons, snaps or decorations which could become loose and cause choking.
Made of breathable fabric such as light cotton with a loose weave. Do not use a heavy blanket for swaddling.

Choose the right swaddling technique for your baby’s age

For younger babies (about 0-3 months old) wrap the arms in the swaddle with baby’s elbows bent, and hands close to the chin.
For older babies (about 3-6 months old and babies who can roll) leave their arms free.

How to safely swaddle baby

Dress your baby in a light sleeper or undershirt to prevent overheating.

1. Spread the wrap out flat with one corner folded down. Lay baby face-up with baby’s head and neck above the folded corner.

2. Bring baby’s hands together over the chest. Bring one side of the wrap over top of the arms and tuck it beneath the baby.

A baby lies on a crib mattress, wrapped in a yellow blanket. An adult's hands are gently adjusting the blanket to swaddle the baby.

3. Fold the bottom of the wrap up, leaving room for your baby’s feet to move freely. The hips and knees should be a little bent and have room to move.

A baby lies on a crib mattress. The baby is partially swaddled in a blanket, with one hand visible. An adult's hands are gently pressing down on the blanket to secure it.

4. Bring the second side of the wrap across the baby, tucking the end behind baby.

A baby is fully swaddled in a yellow blanket, lying on a crib mattress. The baby's face is visible, and one hand peeks slightly out of the blanket.

Leave your baby’s hands free so they can show you when they are hungry.
Check that the swaddle is not tight: two fingers should fit between the wrap and your baby’s chest.
If your baby is sweating, they are too warm. You need to remove the swaddle.

Your baby is now ready to be held for comfort. Swaddled babies must never be placed on their sides or stomachs, even for a minute. Stop swaddling baby when your baby can roll over or is able to unravel the wrap. Loose fabric creates a suffocation or strangulation risk.

If your baby likes the “tucked in” feeling:

Lay baby on their back with feet near the bottom of the crib.
Place blanket so that it is no higher than baby’s armpits.
Tuck the blanket into the sides and bottom of the crib.

A baby lying on its back with a blanket covering it to its armpits and tucked into the sides of the crib

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Stage 3: Booster Seat

Posted on February 21, 2020August 28, 2025 by Lan

Booster seats and car seats help keep your child safe in a motor vehicle.

In Manitoba, all child passengers must ride in a child car seat or booster seat until they are at least:
- 145 centimetres (four feet nine inches) tall) OR
- 36 kilograms (80 pounds) in weight OR
- nine years of age

When it comes to seat belt safety, your child’s height is the most important factor to consider.

Only move your child to a booster seat once they have outgrown the height or weight limit of the forward-facing car seat.

Did you know?

All children under 13 years of age should ride in the back seat of the vehicle.

How do booster seats work?

Your vehicle’s lap and shoulder belts (seat belts) are designed for adult bodies. Because children are too small for the seat belts to fit properly, they are at risk of serious injury without a booster seat.

Booster seats position the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belts properly over your child’s body.  Most booster seats raise the child up so that the lap belt and shoulder belt are positioned across their hips and collar bone. Some newer models work by positioning the car seat belts rather than raising the child up.

Without a booster seat, the shoulder belt goes across the child’s neck and the lap belt rides over the child’s tummy. In a crash, this can cause serious injuries to the neck, spine and abdomen.

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Which booster seat should I choose?

If your child is in a convertible forward-facing car seat that can also be used as a booster, follow the car seat manual on how to use it.
If are buying a booster seat, you can choose:
- a high-back booster seat that raises your child up and positions the lap belt and shoulder belt correctly. Some high back boosters have a head and neck support that can be adjusted as your child grows. These are good for children who tend to fall asleep in the car. High back booster seats are recommended for use in vehicles that don’t have head rests.
- a no-back booster that raises your child up so that the lap and shoulder belts are positioned correctly.
- belt positioning seats are newer products which position the lap and shoulder belt without raising your child up.
Look for a booster seat that has a higher weight limit. Some seats are made for children up to 55 kilograms (120 pounds).
Check the expiry date on the booster seat.
Check Transport Canada’s Recall Database to make sure the booster seat is safe to use.
Look for Transport Canada’s National Safety Mark on the booster seat. Booster seats sold in the United States will not have this seal and are not approved for use in Canada.

Safety Tip

Make sure that the vehicle seat or headrest is high enough to reach at least the top of your child’s ears. This helps protect your child’s head and neck in a crash. If the vehicle seat back and head rest are not high enough, raise the head rest or use a high back or belt positioning booster seat.

Are second-hand (used) booster seats safe?

They can be. Avoid a used booster seat if:

it has been in a crash, or you don’t know if it has been in a crash
it is past the expiry date
it has missing parts
it has visible damage or cracks

How do I install my booster seat?

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to install and use the booster seat.
The shoulder strap should fit across your child’s chest and shoulder (collarbone). The lap belt should go across the hips – not the abdomen.
All children under 13 years of age should ride in the back seat of the vehicle.

Safety Tips

Follow the owner’s manuals for your vehicle and booster seat for proper installation.
Always use the lap and shoulder belt with a booster seat. Never use it with just a lap belt.
Never allow your child to travel with the shoulder belt behind their back.
Avoid products that are sold separately from the booster seat (seat protectors, seat belt covers). These could affect how well the booster seat protects your child in a crash.
When the booster seat is not being used, buckle it up or take it out of your vehicle. If you are in a crash or make a sudden stop, a loose seat can injure people in the vehicle.

How will I know if my child is ready for a seat belt?

In Manitoba, the law states that a child is ready for a seat belt when they are:

145 centimetres (four feet nine inches) tall) OR
36 kilograms (80 pounds) in weight OR
nine years of age

When it comes to seat belt safety, your child’s height is the most important factor to consider.

Take the Seat Belt Fit Test to see if your child can use a seat belt:

Have your child sit with their back against the car’s seat back – no slouching. Check the fit:

Back: Is their back against the seat back?
Knees:Do they bend comfortably over the edge of the seat?
Lap belt: Does it rest on the top of the thighs and not over the stomach?
Shoulder belt: Is it centred on the child’s collarbone between the neck and the shoulder, and not across the neck or chin? Never place the shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm as this can result in life-threatening injuries.
Can your child remain seated in this position without slouching for the entire trip?

A child can ride safely without a booster when you can say YES to all these questions. If any of these steps are not met, your child should be in a booster seat.

Safety tip

Every vehicle is different. Your child might pass the seat belt fit test in one vehicle but need to use a booster seat in different vehicle.

Make every ride a safe ride!

Resources

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Tips for Preventing Falls: Newborns to Toddlers

Posted on November 4, 2019November 20, 2025 by Lan

A fall can happen in a blink of an eye. The good news is that you can help prevent falls and injuries if you know what puts your child at risk.

Newborns

Did you know that being dropped is the most common cause of fall-injury in newborns? 

In the hospital

Hospital staff will work with you to make sure that you and your baby have lots of opportunity to bond and breastfeed/chestfeed, while keeping your baby as safe as possible.
After delivery, exhaustion or pain medication can put new parents at risk of accidentally dropping their baby. Tired new parents may fall asleep while holding or feeding their baby and lose their grip.

You can help keep your baby safe in the hospital by:

always putting your baby on their back in the bassinet to sleep
telling your nurse if you are dizzy or drowsy
being aware of wet floors, spills or equipment which may cause you to slip or fall
not carrying your baby in your arms when you are outside your room.
always transporting your baby in the bassinet. This is a hospital policy.

In the home

New parents are often very tired, may be multi-tasking and can be distracted. You can help keep your baby safe at home by:

For sleep:
- Lay your baby on their back in the crib if you are feeling sleepy so you don’t fall asleep with them in your arms.
- After feeding your baby at night, put them in their crib before you fall asleep.
Around home:
- Wear non-slip socks or shoes in the house to avoid slipping while carrying your baby.
- Be careful when using the stairs while holding your baby.
- A wet baby is a slippery baby so take extra care at bath time.
- If you are carrying your newborn in a car seat, be sure the harness straps are securely fastened.
- If using a sling, carrier or wrap to carry your baby, make sure your child is supported and snug. Have a good hold on your baby before you bend over.
- When you are not holding your baby, it is best to put them in a crib, cradle, bassinet or playpen or on the floor. Babies can fall from beds, couches and other furniture.

Preventing falls in the first year

Stay one step ahead of your child to help keep them safe.

Your baby will grow and develop so much in the first year. Their abilities will change quickly. Each new movement can come with new risks. As your child grows and learns to walk, falling over is normal. But falls from heights can result in an injury. Some examples include falling off furniture, downstairs and out of windows.

Your baby will soon be…	To keep your baby safe…
Rolling over	Always keep a hand on your baby when on a change table, sofa, bed or other raised surface.
Pulling up	Lower the crib mattress before baby can push up on hands and knees to prevent from them from falling out of the crib.
Crawling	Install wall-mounted gates at the top of the stairs and pressure-mounted gates at the bottom of the stairs.

When using baby equipment

Always use the safety straps on strollers, infant chairs, swings, highchairs, kitchen booster seats and change tables.
Avoid putting your child in a bouncy chair, baby carrier or car seat, on a table, counter or other raised surface.
It is not safe to leave babies unattended in car seats, carriers or strollers. Babies should be taken out of a car seat once you have reached your destination. Place your baby on a safe sleep surface, such as a Health Canada-approved crib, cradle, or bassinet – even if they are only napping.
Don’t use a wheeled baby walker. Wheeled walkers are banned in Canada because babies have died or were seriously injured falling downstairs while using them.

Toddlers

Toddlers learn through play, exploring and mimicking. Keep teaching your child about safety, but remember your child is still learning and won’t always remember to follow the rules. Your supervision is very important in keeping your toddler safe. Give your toddler a safe place to learn, explore or try out something new. Here are some tips to help prevent the most common causes of toddler falls.

Your child will soon be able to…	To keep your child safe…
Climb up stools, chairs or other furniture	Keep drawers closed so they cannot be used to climb onto countertops or furniture. Keep chairs, stools and other furniture away from windows, countertops and cupboards. Secure televisions, bookshelves and furniture to the wall so they can’t tip over if your child tries to climb them.
Climb out of crib	Move your child to a toddler bed or mattress on the floor once they can climb out of their crib or they are taller than 90 centimetres (35 inches).
Climb near windows and balconies	Use window locks on all upper-floor windows. Window screens will not protect young children from falling out. Move furniture such as change tables and dressers away from windows so children don’t have easy access. Practice balcony safety: Always supervise your child. Lock door to balconies when not in use. Move balcony furniture that could be used to climb over the railing.
Climb stairs	Once your child can open or climb over the stair gate, take the gates down Teach them to go up and down the stairs using the handrail.
Climb on Beds	Do not let your child on the bed or couch by themselves. Children under the age of six should not sleep or play on the top bunk of a bunk bed.
Play	Follow age recommendations on community play equipment. Children under five should not play on equipment higher than five feet off the ground unless they are within your arm’s reach. All raised play structures should be on a soft surface such as pea gravel, sand or wood chips. Your child should wear a properly fitted helmet when sledding, skating or riding a tricycle or when a passenger on a bike carrier or trailer.

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When should I start checking my unborn baby’s movements?

Posted on October 2, 2019July 23, 2025 by Lan

Some pregnant people feel movement as early as 13 to 16 weeks from the start of their last period. By 24 weeks, almost all pregnant people will feel their baby’s movements.

What do early fetal movements feel like?

Some people explain the movements as butterflies fluttering. In the beginning you may be wondering if those first gentle taps are gas or hunger pains. You will start to recognize the movements once you are feeling them regularly. You may be able to feel your baby kicking, rolling or stretching. Once you can feel your baby moving, it will probably be a few weeks more until your partner can feel your baby moving too.

Smiling pregnant person standing while a partner kneels and holds their baby bump.

When should I start checking my unborn baby’s movements?

Every baby will have times when they are more or less active, but the timing of increased movement tends to be consistent. Some babies may be more active in the morning or evening only. If you’re counting movements, try to do it at the same time each day. If you noticed any changes in your baby’s usual activity level, especially in the third trimester, you can do a kick count at any time.

Your primary care provider might want to watch you more closely if you have had a previous stillbirth or if you are currently experiencing complications by conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.  If this is the case, count your baby’s movements every day starting at around the 26th week of your pregnancy.

How do I check my baby’s movements?

Lie down on your left side and pay attention to the baby’s movements. Put your hands on your tummy to feel for them.

You should feel at least six or more moves, kicks, rolls, flutters or stretches in two hours.

What should I do if my baby is not moving or moving less than six times in two hours?

You should call your primary care provider or go to the hospital, nursing station or healthcare centre you will be delivering at. Go the same day.

References

Your Pregnancy-Fetal Movements and Kick Counts – The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada

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Bringing Baby Home: What is Jaundice?

Posted on August 15, 2019July 28, 2025 by Lan

What is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is released when the liver breaks down red blood cells.
Because your baby’s liver is still immature, it cannot remove bilirubin fast enough, so it builds up in the blood. This causes your baby’s skin to turn yellow (known as jaundice).
As your baby eats (breastfeeds/chestfeeds or formula feeds), the bilirubin is removed from their body when they poop and pee.

Where will I see the jaundice on my baby?

Jaundice usually starts on the face and eyes. Then it spreads to your baby’s body and finally to their arms and legs. Most cases of jaundice are normal and not harmful and go away within a few days or weeks with no special treatment.

How do I prevent jaundice?

Your baby gets rid of the bilirubin through pooping and peeing.
For your baby to poop and pee, they need to be feeding well.
Breastfeed/chestfeed/bottle feed your baby often; at least eight times in 24 hours (day and night).

See the chart below for how often your baby should be pooping and peeing.

How do I know if my baby has a high bilirubin level?

Bilirubin levels are measured with a blood test or with a light machine that measures bilirubin in the skin.
Pediatricians recommend that babies should have their bilirubin levels checked before they go home.
Parents may be given a copy of a form that looks like this Discharge Information – Newborn Jaundice form. It shows what the bilirubin level was in the hospital and if it needs to be checked again. Some babies need to have another blood test after they get home. If you were not given any instructions about the jaundice form, call your doctor, public health nurse or other health-care provider.
If the hospital is using a form like this, your health-care provider will check one of the boxes on the form which explains what you need to do. See below for what the boxes look like.

A screenshot of a form:
Information for the Parent

When should I be concerned about my baby’s jaundice? What should I do?

A high bilirubin (jaundice) level can be dangerous. Call your baby’s health-care provider and ask for a same-day appointment if your baby:

starts to turn yellow (skin, whites of the eyes, arms and legs) after you get home
is getting more yellow or orange (skin, whites of eyes, arms and legs)
will not breastfeed/chestfeed or bottle feed
is too sleepy to feed for two or more feeds
is sleepy/difficult to wake up

If you cannot get a hold of your baby’s doctor that day, contact your public health nurse or go to your nearest emergency department, health centre or nursing station.