A MOM’S GUIDE TO BABYPROOFING

MOM LIFE

A MOM’S GUIDE TO BABYPROOFING

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Do you have a daredevil toddler? Do you almost have high blood pressure because your little one crawls into everything and everywhere? Have you been searching for a babyproofing guide? Are you ready to babyproof and do not know where to start? You are not alone mama, and guess what, I’ve got your backs.

A couple of weeks ago, I worked with some amazing moms and The Leaky Boob on one of their campaigns, #TLBSafeKids (you can also check out the hashtag on Instagram). It was an amazing campaign and I learnt so much from other veteran moms. This campaign was personal to me as I could identify with a lot of the toddler struggles we face as moms. It was great to share experiences in a safe, no-shame zone.

When I had Jidenna, I thought I still had a lot of time to babyproof, after all, he was not crawling yet. Fast forward to 5 – 6 months later, my story changed. I now had a crawler and I could not help but wonder where all that time went.

via GIPHY

This little man was now breaking barriers and crawling into all the spaces. It was time to do something before we hear stories that touch the heart, and before I get blamed for being a careless mom. And so babyproofing 101 started.

If you’re a first-time mom like me and you do not know where to start, keep reading! I’ve put together a guide and also included a free babyproofing checklist printable for you. You can thank me later!!!

BEDROOM/NURSERY

  1. Do not hang anything over your baby’s crib or leave any object inside it. Absolutely no bumpers, stuffed animals or toys. All of these can cause suffocation.
  2. Keep the crib away from windows. If this is not possible, you should consider installing window guards.
  3. Ensure that the crib mattress is at the right height to prevent your baby/toddler from trying to climb out.
  4. Anchor furniture and dressers to the wall with an anti-tip kit. I have heard so many horror stories of children been crushed to death as a result of falling furniture.

KITCHEN

I can not help but overemphasize that the kitchen should be appropriately childproofed. For some reason, Jidenna is drawn to the kitchen and there are so many objects/appliances that can cause accidents. I am so not ready to pay a visit to the ER!

  1. Use stove knob covers if the knobs are within reach for your child. Safety latches should also be used for the oven, dishwasher, and fridge. My little man always tries to climb into the dishwasher.
  2. Use a stove guard to prevent your child from pulling down pots and pans while cooking.
  3. Cleaning supplies, knives, sharp objects should be kept safely away from your child’s reach, in drawers/cabinets that are locked with safety latches.
  4. Trash cans – Jidenna has only recently stopped throwing everything he can carry in the trash. I have found his sippy cup, shoes, tv remote control, my iPhone inside the trash. The list is endless. I suggest you use a step-trash can with a locking lid at least until your toddler is able to figure it out, after which you can teach him/her that it is a dirty place and they’d pick up germs and fall ill by going near the trash.

LIVING ROOM

  1. Anchor TV and other heavy furniture to the wall with an anti-tip kit. Again, we cannot afford to have any heavy furniture falling on our little ones. This is very dangerous.
  2. Cover your fireplace with a fireplace screen.
  3. Use corner guards on all sharp corners and edges. I have fallen prey to this a couple of times and I definitely want my little one to go through this pain. You know the type of pain that makes your eyes water immediately even as an adult.
  4. Tie up blind cords with a cord wrap and keep out of your child’s reach. Raise up blinds and curtains.

BATHROOM

  1. Safety latch is a necessity on the toilet seats. One time, while I was working, Jidenna splashed water in the toilet and threw all sorts of things into the toilet. He fell ill the week after and I was so mad at myself. I’m convinced some of that disgusting water entered his mouth.
  2. Keep bath stuff out of children’s reach so they do not ingest any of these as our bath products are poisonous.
  3. Put an anti-bacterial non-slip bath mat in the bath to prevent the little ones from slipping and fall in the bathtub. I’ve heard cases of people who fell in the tub and died afterward from internal bleeding. My intention is not to scare you but you get the drift.
  4. Medications should be locked up and kept far away from children’s reach.
  5. Install an anti-scald device for faucets to prevent burns. Also, ensure that water is at the right temperature and level during bath time.

EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE HOME

  1. Cover all electrical outlets with outlet covers. I love this one from Qdos.
  2. Use baby gates around stairs and everywhere else you do not want your little one going to.
  3. Put your finger pinch guards and doorknob covers on your doors to prevent your little ones from slamming their delicate fingers or getting locked in.
  4. Use corner guards everywhere necessary
  5. Keep away batteries, plastic bags, coins, or any toys that pose a choking hazard.
  6. If you have a firearm, ensure this is unloaded and locked far far away from their reach. My grandparents lost a child to a loaded firearm that wasn’t stowed away.
  7. Vacuum! Vacuum! Vacuum!
  8. I always suggest moms/dads/caregivers/everyone else should get in the crawling position and go round the house just to check that they have not missed out on anything that their little ones might see and put in their mouths while crawling.
  9. Have poison control and your pediatrician’s number on speed dial. Also, write this clearly in a visible space, just in case someone else is babysitting your child.

I know this seems like a pretty long overwhelming list but it’s super easy to do. Babyproofing is not rocket science and if I as a rookie mom can do this, you have totally got this. I have included a free babyproofing checklist printable for you to download and share with other people who might be taking care of your little ones. I hope you find this useful and please let me know if I missed out on anything other babyproofing items so I can update accordingly. Do not forget to subscribe, follow and share! There is love in sharing.

Photo by Marvin Lewis on Unsplash

Lots of Love

9 Comments

  1. MarciaF

    January 21, 2020 at 2:08 am

    You have a terrific list here. You’ve covered it all. I wish we’d had all of these available when my kids were young but we did a lot of this when my grandkids were born. I babysat two days a week and wanted my house as safe as possible.

    1. Fiyin

      January 21, 2020 at 11:17 am

      Wow! Very enlightening! Thanks for this!

  2. Marina

    January 21, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    As I told you on FB this is such a useful post. Will share it with my friends with kids x

  3. Rachel R Ritlop

    January 21, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    so helpful thank you!! Need a firescreen, our daughter has started to climb up in there haha

  4. Natalia Wiatr

    January 24, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    A very useful post. Thank you for all the tips. My toddler, luckily, wasn’t that suicidal, but now that another baby is on the way, we’ll need to be prepared for another round…

  5. MY REAL JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD

    January 27, 2020 at 1:49 pm

    […] from all his laughter. Needless to say, the toilet got babyproofed almost right away. Read this post to get babyproofing tips and a free babyproofing checklist […]

  6. visit website

    January 27, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a great article…
    but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never seem to
    get nearly anything done.

  7. Steve L

    January 29, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    My little monster see any form of baby proofing as an obstacle he must overcome! Going to give some of your ideas a try, just to keep him guessing!!

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