When you leave the hospital, you’re responsible for a little human who’ll rely on you for all their basic needs. There are a fair few bits that you will have to bring with you to look after them properly. Wet wipes, diapers, baby formula (if you use it), and a good diaper bag to hold it all. You don’t want to be caught out without this stuff, so be sure to keep track of it all. Once they’re in your house, snuggly nestled in their cribs, you’ll never see your home the same way. Suddenly it will go from a cozy and relaxing place to a house of hazards.
Start the process of babyproofing long before your little one is due to save yourself the feverish panic of rapid home projects. You’ll have your hands full enough getting through those first few days and weeks of new parenthood. This comprehensive guide will help you cover all your bases and prepare for your new baby.
Remove Electrical Hazards
Wires and outlets are a danger for mobile babies. Little ones will stick their fingers and mouths everywhere to explore their surroundings. Keep them safe from electric shock by putting plugs in open outlets and hiding cords behind furniture.
Follow Crib Safety Guidelines
Keep standard safety guidelines in mind as you set up the crib. The crib should be away from windows. It should also have a tight-fitting mattress, no loose parts, and only a fitted sheet. Leave out blankets, toys, and crib bumpers.
Replace Corded Blinds
Most blinds used to have cords for opening and shutting them. If you still have this old style, you should consider replacing them with modern cordless designs. Otherwise, your little one could get tangled and strangled in the strings.
Install Window and Door Guards
Tiny fingers get pinched easily by windows and doors. Purchase guards to keep the little digits safe from harm. When possible, keep windows closed when your baby or toddler is unsupervised.
Set Up Baby Gates
Any style home could benefit from a baby gate or two. Use them to block off rooms you don’t want your baby to access, or place them at the top or bottom of stairwells to prevent dangerous falls.
Add Child Locks to Cabinets
Your bottom cabinets and drawers are a free-for-all for young explorers. You can find a range of latches and locks to make them harder to get into. They’re easy enough for adults to unlatch but impossible for small tots.
Move Chemicals and Medications
Poison control stickers can only go so far in preventing your kids from ingesting hazardous substances. Your best bet is to move cleaning products and medications to high shelves where little ones can’t reach them.
Anchor Heavy and Tall Furniture
Heavy and tall furniture poses a severe hazard to young kids. When little ones try to climb shelves or peek into a drawer, they can pull the whole thing down on top of them easily. Cheap furniture anchoring sets are easy to install and prevent items from tipping over onto your child and crushing them.
Lower Your Water Temperature
Your water heater temperature setting may be set to an unsafe level, especially for sensitive baby skin. Before bringing your precious bundle home, check your settings to see if they need an adjustment. The typical recommendation is to keep it at a maximum of 125 degrees, so you have at least 30 seconds to turn the water off before your child burns.
Round Off All Sharp Corners
Before you know it, your baby will be pulling up on furniture and toddling around the house. Every piece of furniture now holds the potential for catastrophe. If you have anything with sharp corners, you can buy rubber, silicone, or foam caps to provide a softer surface.
Prep Your Garage
Though your baby won’t spend much time in the garage, you’ll need to get them in and out of the car in there. As they grow, you’ll need to take further measures to keep them safe. Install a garage door opener with a good sensor that’ll stop when something is in the way. You should also move tools and chemicals to higher shelves and cover your trash and recycling bins.
Store All Choking Hazards
Babies and toddlers use their mouths to explore, putting everything they can find inside. Seemingly harmless objects can quickly become a danger if swallowed. Your best tool is a toilet paper roll. Anything that can pass through it is a choking hazard for little ones that you should remove.
Place Houseplants Higher
House plants make your home lively and improve the air quality. However, not all of them are safe for babies, and some may even be toxic. Do some research so you can remove any that may be poisonous. Lift others to higher locations, so your little one isn’t tempted to sample them.
Breastfeed or Formula?
It’s a personal choice whether or not to breastfeed, as well as how long makes sense to the new mother. If you are going the formula route, you might want to research options for the healthiest baby formula.
Post a List of Emergency Numbers
Even when your baby is small, you can’t be with them all the time. You’ll have doctor’s appointments and eventually want to go out on dates again. Rest a bit easier while you’re gone by posting a list of emergency numbers for whoever watches your little one.
Get Down to Their Level
The best thing you can do to prep your home for a new baby is to put yourself down on their level. Get on your stomach on the floor and then your hands and knees. Take a look around to see what might be of interest to you. What hazards show their ugly faces at this angle?
You may have missed something even after making your way through the entire guide. This last check will ensure your home is ready for your new little addition.
p.s. Related posts:
Hospital Bag Checklist When Having a Baby
The Only Baby Gear You Really Need
Best Personalized Baby Gifts for Under $50
Getting Your Child to Sit in Their Baby Car Seat (and Stay There)
Fun Things to Do with Your Baby
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