Babyproofing

Provide a large open space—like the living room—as a space that has lots of “yesses” instead of “no” all the time and make it safe enough that you feel confident letting them roam and explore.

In this space, you should:

• Clear out any small items that could be dangerous
• Anchor furniture and large objects to the wall—especially if your baby is a climber
• Keep the floor clean by vacuuming or mopping often
• Keep any items in the room clean, since it’s normal for babies and toddlers to put anything they grab into their mouth
• Waterproof any upholstery and pillows (and keep nice blankets or throws out of reach)
• Provide a baby play mat and blankets specifically for the baby
  
  

Even in high-traffic areas of the home, you can create safe areas that specifically belong to your little one. For instance, you can clear out a cabinet or drawer in the kitchen they can put toys in and play with while you’re cooking, cleaning, etc.

The idea is that they can imitate their parents in a healthy way that keeps them out of harm’s way. It also prevents the frustration that comes from working around child locks the whole time. Giving one or two places dedicated to “play” can be a happy compromise for all.

Baby safety

As babies grow, so does their sense of curiosity. They’ll likely start imitating you by interacting with parts of the house that you do. Knowing this, it’s important to limit their ability to access certain places and things for their safety.

You should:

• Keep your dishwasher pods or detergent out of reach
• Use a baby gate for stairs or to block off dangerous areas like the kitchen
• Use outlet covers
• Place locks on cabinets and drawers with cleaning supplies and chemicals
• Lock away your medications
• Close doors to rooms you don’t want your child to roam free in
• Hide wires behind furniture
• Keep shelves higher than they’re able to reach

At some point, every baby needs to learn how to use the stairs. While it’s recommended to use a baby gate for stairs, some good non-traditional babyproofing advice is to teach the baby how to go down the stairs backwards. If for some reason the baby gate was left open or knocked over during the toddler stage, you’ll want them to crawl down the stairs backwards, giving them more natural control on balance and movement.

Another good precaution is installing a mesh crib liner. It’s possible for your baby to fit their limbs in between the bars, which could cut off circulation and cause injury or worse.

And finally, be sure to install up-to-date smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors around your home. Keep a fire distinguisher in one or all bedrooms in case of an emergency. Even if it feels excessive, it’s better to be on the safe side.