Whether you’re a brand-new mom or a mom with 2 toddlers and a baby on the way… there are always new and improved ways to “baby proof” your house… and quite frankly, it’s overwhelming! The mom’s “to-do” list is already longer than a CVS receipt, however, we know that your number one priority is keeping your baby safe.

The mom’s “to-do” list is already longer than a CVS receipt…

We’ve consolidated all of the Pinterest “how to”, the mommy blogs, and the parenting 101 tips into one spot… for you! Okay, maybe not ALL of them… but you know, the ones that really matter. It’s time to make your home the safe haven that you and your child deserve.

Where Do I Begin?

What a great question… I often ask myself this question when I’m attempting to clean my house. Room by room is the answer, that way you aren’t forgetting any areas in your home and you have some sort of organization to the baby proofing process! Once you pick the first room you baby proof, I suggest writing down (as you’re baby proofing) everything you do. That way, if any of these steps can be repeated in another room you aren’t forgetting about them. I.e. outlets, windows, doors, etc. Items that can be found in every room! Okay, let’s get started!

Misc. Proofing Around the Home

Sharp corners are not your best friend, get rid of them.

First things first… electrical outlets. We’ve all seen the movies, let’s prevent the fork or any other object from entering the outlet ASAP, please & thank you. Plastic caps can be bought for these.

If there is a room that you don’t think your baby should be in at all… have no fear baby gates are here! Baby gates are your best friend, use them. Sharp corners are not your best friend, get rid of them.

Your child will pick up any and every thing left on the floor and probably try to eat it.

Carpets and rugs being placed on hard floors where your baby often travels, because baby somersaults are never fun on tile or wood (remember, your baby probably thinks he/she is a professional gymnast).

Vacuum your house often, don’t be gross. Your child will pick up any and every thing left on the floor and probably try to eat it.

Children can drown in just a few inches of water. Watch their every move or make sure all areas with water are gated off.

Keep furniture away from windows.

Anything that looks like it can harm your child, it probably can. Figure out a plan or get rid of it. Get a safe, if need be. 

Okay, Now onto The Nursery

Do not hang anything over the crib or the changing table that could harm your baby if it were to fall.

The Crib, and no, we ain’t talkin MTV cribs.

This has to be the one place you feel comfortable leaving your child alone, so buy a new one if you can. Hardware breaks/gets worn. The older it is, the more dangerous it could be. ~Vintage~ really isn’t all that ~Cool~ in this case.

Do not hang anything over the crib or the changing table that could harm your baby if it were to fall.

Next Stop: The Kitchen

Heating food up? I mean, are you cooking?? Stay in the kitchen while any source of heat is on.

Cabinet locks & latches for the drawers and cabinets that may have sharp objects or any type of cleaning products.

Anything on floor level that does not have a lock/latch should be safe enough for your baby to get into… because they will.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry for your child’s safety!

Vitamins, supplements, or any type of medicine should be kept up high & out of reach of a curious teething baby that may be looking for Advil.

Don’t let any cords to appliances hang off the counter, baby will pull on it, item will come crashing down, and now we have crying baby & broken appliance (this is best case scenario).

If you’re not sure about something and whether it could potentially harm your child, find a different spot for it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry for your child’s safety!

The Living Room

Make sure it’s as safe and comfortable for you and your curious baby.

Make sure that you attach the TV securely to an entertainment center or table, baby may touch, pull, or try & move the TV if you’re not looking, even for just a second!

Items to consider buying for this room:

• Cordless blinds (the cords on blinds and curtains are strangling hazards)
• Heavy-weight picture hooks to prevent pictures from falling off the wall.
• Electrical tape to secure electric cords away from baby.

Remember, this is the perfect room to go back to the original list and make sure the basic steps and proofing ideas are done correctly! You probably spend a lot of time in this room, you want to make sure it’s as safe and comfortable for you and your curious baby.

Last, But Not Least… The Bathroom

Accidents happen, and they happen quickly.

The most important piece of advice: Don’t leave your child alone in here, and especially don’t leave your child alone in the bathtub, even for a second. Accidents happen, and they happen quickly.

Items to consider buying for this room:

• Latches for the medicine cabinet.
• A toilet lock (if you have a dog, this kills two birds with one stone… no more drinking out of the toilet… just sayin!)

“You’re Doing Great Sweetie”

Cue the Kris Jenner Meme…

You did it! If you read this whole article, you’re already a Rockstar mom & ahead of the game! The hardest job in the world, is being a parent, we know this for a fact. There are so many things to remember, so many people in your ear giving you “advice” even though you didn’t ask them, and most importantly you don’t sleep enough.

But, hey you can check one thing off your list for good and that’s baby proofing your house! Now you can tell Ramona in your mommy group, that she should really consider a new crib because her ~Vintage~ one just isn’t cutting it!

JK- don’t be that person…. Or do ?

Thanks for reading, Ciao!