Oh Baby

There’s a bit going on inside the walls of our house. We’re deep in preparation mode… shelves are about to get cleared, cupboards are being locked and barriers are about to go up.

No, it’s not our bathroom/laundry conversion. That’s been put on the backburner. Adding an extra bedroom is laughed away for the minute. You see, a few months ago our family grew a little larger… Yep, you guessed it, we’re babyproofing. For a while now I’ve been mentally moving, rearranging and organising our home ready for when our littlest is on the move, but push is coming to shove now. It’s time to get stuck in. This is the second time I’ve got the house ready for a mobile baby. I giggle as I remember how I went to town in the ‘child safety’ aisle at Bunnings and basically ended up needing an instruction manual to open anything in the house with a door. There’s a lot out there on the market!

Ultimately, tackling baby proofing involves removing risks/potential dangers to little ones, but it’s also to keep the contents of the house intact. So where to start? Fragile or sentimental items are best moved out the way – go higher, or completely out of sight. Cleaning products and medications should be locked away and out of reach, electrical outlets plugged and cords out of reach, and larger furniture items secured. Tackling the house room by room will allow you to prioritise what needs to be done to keep baby and property safe. You may find it easier to block off certain areas in your home. For example, I’m able to completely restrict access to our kitchen area, as well as our bathroom and laundry, which also incorporates our pets’ quarters. This was a much more practical solution for us.

As they grow, children’s natural curiosity leads them to explore, and they’ll no doubt test boundaries. Bookshelves can look a little like climbing frames, and it’s amazing how much fun a toddler can have pulling everything out of a drawer. Review and adapt your home as your child grows in order to create a safe environment. As they come to understand concepts a little clearer, you can help them explore their surroundings in a safe way, teaching them how to care for property and respect boundaries. It may take a little time. Be patient. It was only a few months ago my house was full of beautiful plants, but without even really realising, they’ve all made their way outside… and there they probably will stay for quite some time.

In no time we’ll be navigating our way through those fiddly locks to get to the bathroom.

We want a safe space for our young one to play and grow – and we do not want the contents of our Tupperware drawer sprawled throughout the house – so for now, we’ll put up with the gates. It won’t be forever.

WHEN CHECKING ROOM BY ROOM, KEEP IN MIND WHAT YOUR CHILD MIGHT BE INTRIGUED BY

1. LOUNGE – secure heavy furniture like bookshelves and TV cabinets to the wall; keep small items clear from grabbing hands.

2. KITCHEN/DINING – utilise baby safety products to keep drawers closed and ovens and stovetops out of access.

3. BEDROOM – again, secure any heavy items of furniture to the wall.

4. BATHROOM – secure cupboards, keeping products out of reach; ensure taps can’t be turned on.

5. LAUNDRY – lock chemicals and cleaning products away.

6. OUTDOORS – pack away garden tools and remove chemicals from reach; block access to unsafe outdoor spaces; check pool fencing and gates.

7. GENERAL – cover electrical sockets and remove cords. Check doors and windows are secure. Ensure chemicals and batteries are out of reach. Check accessibility to hot/cold surfaces and watch out for sharp edges.