A new baby is an exciting addition. They bring so much joy and completely turn your world upside down.
However, they also become mobile very quickly, with most little ones learning to crawl at around eight months, so it’s worth thinking of how to ensure your home is safe for them to move around as early as possible.
To help you assess your home and baby-proof spaces so that they can safely explore, here is a checklist to guide you.
Cushion the Fall
As they start to toddle, your baby will naturally fall down and bump into things. To make sure they don’t hurt themselves, look around the room and work out where any awkward falls could cause some damage.
Add soft rubber covers to sharp corners on coffee tables and invest in baby gates to add to stairways so that they can’t access the stairs without supervision. Similarly, a gate added to the doorway to the kitchen can prevent falls around hot surfaces or sharp objects.
Choose Clever Furniture
If your home is filled with lightweight side tables or chairs that can be easily knocked over, now is the time to look for alternatives that are sturdy and can’t be easily toppled by toddlers. Investing in stronger, sturdier furniture means your little one can play safely and wander around without any additional risks.
Look After Little Hands
Tiny fingers can easily get trapped in doors and drawers. Before your baby starts to pull themselves up from the floor to stand, you will need to add clasps and protectors to stop them pulling drawers and cupboard doors open.
Similarly, adding stoppers to doors not only means their fingers are kept safe, but it also means they won’t be able to close the door behind them. Also, popping some guards into electrical sockets and hinge protectors on ironing boards can help prevent accidents.
Be Aware
While adding protectors and safety guards are essential for keeping your baby safe as they start to discover their world, there are always risks around the home that you may not have considered before.
Suddenly, as they start to toddle, they will be able to reach and climb things that they couldn’t when crawling.Keep moving things out of their grasp and relocatesharp objects such as kitchen knives and scissors to cupboards that are high up.
While your baby may only be tiny right now, they grow and learn so fast, so it’s worth adapting the home as much as possible early on.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
