Baby-Proofing your Home

When you find out that you are having a baby you start to think about the changes that will be taking place in your life. Changes in your physical environment will also be necessary to provide a safe and healthful home for your baby to grow in. It is time to Baby Proof! With minor changes in your home you can avoid a major accident.

To keep it simple and manageable we are going to break this up into stages. You can stay one step ahead by working on first stage while you are pregnant.

0 to 3 Months: Mobility is limited

Crib Safety: Read our crib safety guide (even if you have made a purchase). Poorly fitting mattresses and excessive blankets, pillow and toys in the crib are a hazard for your baby.

Back to Sleep: Place you infant on his or her back to sleep. Never lay them face down.

Bathing: Use a bath designed for an infant. Be very careful at this time. I am amazed at how slippery a wet baby really is!

Diaper Changes: If you use an elevated changing station, have all of your supplies at hand before you get started. As you baby grows do not let the surprise you while you back is turned. Keep one hand on your baby at all times.


3 to 6 Months: Rolling over and pulling themselves up.

Furniture: Sharp edges need to be protected or removed. Remove breakable objects with in babies reach. Time to get down on the floor and crawl around to get a baby’s eye view of the hazards!

Electrical Outlets: Cover them! Watch for exposed electrical extension cords or plug strips (babies are attracted to the lights on these, use tape and cover them up)

Bathroom: Drawers and doors should be baby proofed with some sort of commercial device. Keep the lid down on the toilet! If it falls down when your baby grabs it….. Keep the bathroom door shut, this is not a place you want to give your baby free access to.

Take the mobile off of your baby’s crib when they start to pull themselves up.

Kitchen: Door and drawer locks.

Whole house: This is the age when everything goes in the mouth! If it is within reach of your baby you can bet it will go in their mouth. Use a toilet paper roll as a guide for assessing the choking risk for your child. If it goes through, your child could possibly choke on it.

The Crib is used a teething ring. use a plastic cap to protect the crib rail from getting roughed up by teething. The plastic rail cap is also easier to clean than the pourus wood and will keep you crib looking like new for your next baby.

6 to 12 months: Walking and Climbing.

The ball game continues to change. They have full mobility. They can crawl at the speed of light and will soon be walking. Climbing has allowed them to grab things previously beyond their reach. OK folks, this is the time to get serious! Put that pretty stuff away before it gets broke or worse, someone gets hurt!

Keep dresser drawers closed so that they are not used as a climbing toy. Make sure any bookcase or entertainment centers are secured to the wall.

Use gates at stairs to prevent falls. If you have a water hazard (pool, spa, fish pond) now is the time to consider alarming doors that lead to these areas.

Baby-proofing is an ongoing process. Take time each day to make sure that your baby by making sure that dangerous objects are removed from any area your baby has access to.

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