While Betty now knows that rule, an alarming number of grandparents don't. In fact, a recent survey found many aren't aware of newer safety guidelines for kids involving sleep safety, car seats and walker use. Dr. Kyran Quinlan with the American Academy of Pediatrics says it's important for grandparents to get up to speed.

"There is new knowledge about what is safest for young kids and grandparents who regularly care for kids will need to learn about these things to do the best job," Dr. Quinlan explains.

There is a lot of re-learning to do as well--starting with keeping the baby safe while sleeping. One third of grandparents surveyed said they would place a baby on its stomach. That's now considered risky, based on SIDS research.

Another finding: About half weren't aware that babies should be in a crib that doesn't have bumpers and stuffed animals and blankets.

So when it comes to the rules of the road, a quarter of grandparents would fail before leaving the driveway. "Grandparents felt it would be ok for a 9 month old to be forward facing in a car seat and this is also the opposite of what is true. It is clearly safer for 9 month olds to be rear facing in car seats," Dr. Quinlan says.

A startling 75% of grandparents thought it was OK for babies to use walkers. Experts suggest using activity centers instead. Another no-no: Using old baby gear on this new generation.

Nancy Cowles is Executive Director of the group "Kids in Danger". She explains, "One of the first things a grandparent might do when they learn they're about to become a grandparent is think that now's the time to bring down the crib that their child slept in, toys they may have in the attic and we would certainly urge grandparents to stop before they do that. Older model cribs are simply not going to be safe."

They also need to stay up on recall lists. Sometimes, Betty admits she's a little annoyed by the changes, but knows there are benefits for the babies.

"We don't want anything to happen to our grandchildren," she says.