Babies are adorable little beings, but they can be quite mysterious. They cry a lot, and sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what they need. As parents, it’s our job to decipher their signals and make sure they’re comfortable and safe. One mom from Michigan, Heather, recently went through a scary experience and wants to warn other parents about a condition called “hair tourniquet syndrome” that can be dangerous for babies.

Heather’s baby, Jacob, was just two weeks old when she noticed something was wrong. She had put him down for a nap and when he woke up, his little toes looked strange. They were blue and had hair tightly wrapped around them. Heather and her husband tried to remove the hair themselves, but it was stuck and Jacob’s toes were swelling. They immediately rushed him to the emergency room.

At the hospital, doctors spent an hour carefully trying to remove the hair from Jacob’s toes. They explained to Heather and her husband that if the hair hadn’t been removed, amputation might have been necessary. Thankfully, Jacob made a full recovery, but Heather wants all parents to be aware of this potential danger.

Hair tourniquet syndrome occurs when strands of hair get tangled around a baby’s toes or fingers, cutting off circulation and causing swelling. It can happen to any baby, but it’s more common when there are people with longer hair around them. Heather advises parents to regularly check their babies’ toes for any signs of this syndrome. It’s especially important for babies who are often around people with long hair.

To prevent this from happening, some moms even opt for shorter hairstyles to minimize the risk. So parents, take a few moments to inspect your little ones’ toes regularly. It may seem like a small thing, but it could make a big difference in keeping your baby safe and healthy.