Revisiting the Safety Limits

When you've spent years eyeing the baby monitor, childproofing the house, and following precautions to a T, it can feel as though you'll never be able to stop hovering.

But health experts say there comes a time when you can (carefully) ease up on the rules--as long as you understand them.

1. Cut up grapes and hot dogs.

2. Put your baby to sleep on their back.

3. Use only a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste.

4. Keep pillows, blankets, and other bedding out of the crib.

5. Place covers on electrical outlets.

6. Always engage the child lock on car windows and doors.

7. Set choking hazards out of reach.

8. Keep hardware-mounted gates at the top (and bottom) of stairs.

9. Never leave bathtime unattended.