You only need to turn your back for a moment for things to go wrong. One Florida mother learned that the hard way, but thankfully, her lesson had a happy ending. ABC News reports that Tila Levi was changing her 11-month-old Eitan’s diaper when she momentarily turned around to talk to her 6-year-old son, Zion, who had a question about his homework.
While Tila’s back was turned, baby Eitan rolled over on the changing table and fell. Thankfully, his big brother Joseph was just walking by and saw it happening. His reflexes kicked in and he was able to catch his baby brother in the nick of time.
Tila immediately realizes what just happened, then embraces both of her sons right away. Though baby Eitan was fine, Joseph was “shaken up”—he couldn’t believe that he caught his 30-pound brother, as he can hardly lift him.
“My baby had an angel by his side”
Joseph told Fox News that it was a miracle. “I would have never caught him and I can’t run that fast, so I felt like something just came and pushed me forward, and when it happened, I just ran and caught him,” Joseph said.
The 9-year-old was hailed as a hero in his family, and his grandparents even offered to buy him a gift as a reward, but Joseph said that helping his little brother was “enough”.
“My baby had an angel by his side,” Levi told ABC News. “… Thank God it was a happy ending.”
Though this kind of thing happens to the best of parents, this was a learning experience for Levi and her family. She said that she and her husband watched the video “hundreds of times” to see what they could have done to prevent the incident from happening, and what they should do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Accidents happen, but we can prevent them. Go to the next page for changing table safety tips.
Changing tables make it so much easier for you to change your baby’s diaper, but they’re also a common cause of injury for babies and young children, as they can fall. Here are some recommendations from Healthy Children and WebMD to keep your child safe on the changing table.
1. Choose a sturdy table with a rail
The table should be sturdy and stable with a 2-inch rail around all four sides. Look for a table with a concave top—meaning the middle is slightly lower than the sides.
2. Never leave your child unattended
As the video illustrated, you shouldn’t leave them even for a second. Keep your eyes and at least one hand on your baby at all times.
Photo: Caitlin Regan/Flickr
3. Don’t depend on a safety strap
Buckle the safety strap, but don’t count on it to keep your child safe. Even if your child is strapped in, never leave him unattended.
4. Keep your diaper supplies within easy reach
This is so you won’t have to leave your baby unattended to get them. Put them in an area where you won’t have to bend over or take your eyes off your baby.
5. Keep disposable diapers and baby powder out of your child’s reach
The stuffing in disposable diapers are choking risks, so cover them with clothing when he wears them, as he could tear off pieces and put them in his mouth. Never let your baby play with powder, as inhaled powder particles can injure your child’s lungs.
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