Becoming a mother for the first time is overwhelming. Without a doubt, you are looking out ways to turn your sweet home into a safe, secure, and cosy cocoon for your little angel. You want all the baby safety gates, baby bathtub, baby dining chair, and more in place. And we understand that childproofing your home plays an important role in the developing phase of your baby.
Fortunately, there are several methods by which you can babyproof your abode. First of all, make sure that there is nothing in your house that is generally hazardous irrespective of the age of the person. Don’t leave sharp objects carelessly on the floor, make sure no appliance has its cable insulation coming off, cover the grills of the radiator, and so on. After that, come preparing the house specifically for the baby. From curtains and blinds for homes to bathroom floor mat sets, every single thing must be in place. We’ll make your journey to parenthood a breeze. So, check out this guide for first-time mums to get insightful information about babyproofing the house for all ages.
Secure the baby’s bedroom with a crib and baby sleeping pillows
Whether sleeping or playing, the bedroom is often where the baby spends most of the time. This is indeed the first room you must babyproof before your bundle of joy arrives. Hence, you must carefully pick their bed or crib. That’s because babies often tend to wriggle their way away and end up getting their head stuck between the bars. It is best to go for cribs with tight bars that are spaced around 5cm away. Apart from that, ensure to use baby sleeping pillows under your supervision, as they might choke the baby when they accidentally turn their head. Also, remember to buy bed sheets and bedspreads that aren’t too thick for your little one to sleep on. Go for light-weighted, soft coloured sheets. Moreover, make sure that you buy softer coloured bedroom curtains that you can attach tightly to the windows.
Secure the electrical sockets and other electronic items
Of course, you need not be concerned about this till your baby is 6 months old. That’s because they will be lying down till then. However, the older your little one gets, the more places they can have access to. In such cases, it becomes imperative to cover all your electrical sockets, especially if they are at a reachable height. As a first-time mum, you must be extremely careful about this. You know that these electrical outlets are available in many types and sizes. And your naughty little angel can wriggle their tiny fingers through the sockets. Hence, it is best to go for baby safety electrical outlet covers. They keep the sockets covered, which, in turn, keeps any dangers at bay for your kids. You can also consider getting power strip covers, electric cord shorteners, and cord cover kits.
Keep your kitchen guarded
Your kitchen is your child’s sweet spot. In other words, they just love to mess things up in that part of the house. From cracking plates to applying cheese onto their face, they can do just about anything. Therefore, we can aptly say that they are one of the most dangerous places your child can be in. Therefore, if you are a first-time mum, it is a must to safeguard your kitchen too. There are a few ways to do that. Start by permanently removing household products placed under the sink or at a child’s height. Of course, there are other things you need to consider. For instance, install cabinet locks and latches if they are accessible by your little munchkin. Also, make sure that you keep all sharp items such as knives away from your kid. Last but not least, keep the cleaning liquids at bay.
Keep your baby safe while feeding meals
Mealtime is something that all babies enjoy. They just love messing with you and the platter. From smearing their face with food to spitting and wriggling, there is nothing a baby can’t do. Therefore, as a first-time mum, it will be much easier for you and your baby if you have the right tools. So, check out the best toddler booster seats for eating available in the market. These smart tools keep your baby in place while facilitating an easy feeding process. In other words, you need not run around anymore to feed your baby. Apart from that, your little one can also enjoy their meal effortlessly without too much mess.
Ensure a safe bath time for your baby
Keeping your baby clean is difficult, but it is imperative to do so. What’s more, you must do it in a fun way. Otherwise, you may have to deal with their tantrums. More importantly, you need to be careful, as there is always a risk of slipping and other injuries. Hence, it would help to have a folding baby bathtub. This makes the bath time a safer and more enjoyable experience. This tool comes in varying sizes, which means you need to carefully choose them according to your baby’s height and weight. Also, ensure that you remove all hygiene products and razors placed on the edge of the bath. Finally, we recommend you put baby floor mats for crawling to prevent the baby from slipping. Check out the extensive collection of toilet floor mats on Shops.ae
Other little details that make a huge difference
Children are fascinated with candles, lighters, and matches. Thus, ensure they do not hang out when lit. Similarly, if there is a smoker in the house, remember not to leave out any lit buds near the ashtray or the coffee table. Moreover, other objects, such as hanging baby toys, pens, pencils, and sharpeners, can be dangerous. Therefore, put them in a box after use. Pay attention to things that are small enough for them to swallow as well, like coins, pieces of paper, small cuts of vegetables and fruits, etc. By having a presence of mind and attention to details, you can make your home a safe and happy place for your little one.
Tips on babyproofing the house for first-time mums
The above are just a few major aspects that you need to keep in mind when babyproofing your home. There are a few more things you must consider. When it comes to babyproofing the house, you have to think outside the box. Babies can find creative ways to put themselves in harm’s way. So, you should be able to figure out all the potential dangers before your baby does. We’ve listed below a checklist that can help you in the various phases of your child’s growth and milestones. Of course, a baby shopping list for a first-time mum can also come in handy.
- Newborns – Keep stuffed toys and cushions out of bed when the baby is asleep. Avoid sheets, blankets, and fluffy pillows and replace them with baby cocoons. Put the curtain cord and ropes out of reach of children. Check that there are no breakable objects near the area where the baby is playing. This is to avoid accidental choking when the baby twists and turns on the bed.
- Crawling babies – As soon as your baby starts to roll and move, it is time to install baby safety gates at the bottom and top of the stairs. If your home is primarily open, you also need to install barriers to prevent your little munchkin from accessing certain spaces, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Keep the drawers and cupboards safe, especially if you store chemicals, medicines, tools, utensils, plastic bags, matches, and lighters there. Put the power cables out of reach of your baby. Do not forget to check lamps, chargers, television, computers, and other electronic devices. Cover electrical outlets with plug covers. Put all houseplants out of reach. If some are poisonous, remove them from the house.
- Walking babies – Babies will fall over quite frequently as they are learning to walk. So, secure the edges of sharp corners with corner guards. Keep unused doors closed and use doorstops on frequently opened doors to protect the baby’s fingers. Doorknob covers are also good safety items. Remove or firmly secure tablecloths to prevent your child from pulling them and getting hot dishes spilt. Remove the mats or use mats that are not very thick to prevent accidental tripping. Choose a bottom drawer or bookshelf where you can keep books and toys so that they do not climb up.
When it comes to making your house safe for babies, it is these small things that matter a lot. Taking a little time to make your home safe is paramount. That way, you won’t regret doing your part if something happens that could easily have been avoided. Securing your home is not just only about protecting your baby. It is also about ensuring your important documents and valuables do not end up getting chewed, torn, or broken by putting them out of your little one’s reach. So, spending a little time taking care of these things can give you peace of mind and save you a lot of time.
Keeping an eye out for the baby
Even after securing the house in all the ways that you can imagine, you still have to monitor your little one, especially if there are other kids in the house. Older kids might leave their LEGO bricks and pencils on the floor and can be very careless in this regard. We hope you found our new mum’s guide to babyproofing the house useful. From window curtains, children’s mat flooring to toys for 1-year-olds, hanging musical toys for babies, and best toys for 6-month olds, make sure you check all the products we offer on Shops.ae. Simply put, get your first-time mum shopping list ready before your little one sets foot in your home!
