Congratulations! It’s a… little explorer who will soon be opening every drawer and door and putting fingers in every finger-sized space. Your baby’s brain will double in size in her first year, which means every move she makes is adding another byte of data to her tiny command center. It also means it’s hard to predict what she’ll get into next. That’s why a babyproofing checklist is a must.
But you don’t need to raid the baby aisles at Target. This babyproofing checklist will help you consider what you really need and help you stay on top of what you might need next.
The Babyproofing Checklist: 10 Big Spots
Babies and toddlers are like tiny ninjas—they can wiggle into the most unexpected places. Here are 10 spaces or items to secure as soon as your little one learns to pull up or crawl.
1. Cabinetry: Cabinet latches are life savers, sometimes literally. They’ll keep those fascinating cleaning supplies safely out of reach. Don’t latch every cabinet though. Leave some margin to explore. After all, banging on pots and pans is a rite of passage for toddlers.
2. Cords and wires: Dangling electrical cords and cords for window shades and blinds scream “pull me!” to a toddler. Bundle them up with cord organizers, run them behind furniture, or secure them out of reach of tiny hands.
3. Corners: Eyebrow and forehead scars make for cool stories as kids grow up, but consider investing in corner protectors for a few months while your toddler masters toddling.
4. Doors: No mom wants to walk into a room with the front door open and her child nowhere in sight. As soon as your kiddo can turn a door knob, invest in a lock that’s out of reach. This is especially important for doors that lead out to swimming pools.
Flip the knob on your child’s bedroom and bathroom doors so the lock is on the outside, and you’ll avoid that awkward moment when you and your husband have to negotiate with your toddler as he giggles. “Unlock the door, sweetie! C’mon. Tuuurn the handle!”
5. Drawers: Bathroom drawers with chemicals or choking hazards and kitchen drawers with knives need latches. But like your cabinets, leave some drawers unlatched. A 2-year-old with two handfuls of Q-tips and some of your blush might sound like a nightmare, but it will make for a fun story.
6. Electrical Outlets: You probably got some outlet plugs as a baby shower gift. Cover those tempting little holes and rest easy knowing bobby pins and paper clips are staying out of them.
7. Furniture: Toppling furniture is a serious danger to kids. So secure dressers, bookshelves, and anything else that could topple over using furniture straps—think of them as superhero capes for your furniture!
8. Sharp or Fragile Objects: We’re not saying you need to change your home decor to pre-school chic, but look around and consider if your antique vase or glass candlesticks can go into the attic for a couple of years.
9. Stairs: Baby gates at the top and bottom of staircases are musts. As your baby grows, practice taking the stairs one step at a time and holding the railing or scooting on your bottom. Soon you can take the gates down, and let the fun ensue. Now where did your laundry basket go?
10. Stove Knobs: Those magical dials are fun to turn and hear “click!” What’s not so fun is a burner being on without you knowing it. Stove knob covers are a little annoying for you to work around, but if you have a particularly curious child, you’ll be glad you have them.
Beyond the Babyproofing Checklist: Research and Remember
While the checklist provides a solid foundation, remember, every baby is different. Do your research and tailor your babyproofing efforts to your little one’s interests. For example, if your baby seems particularly fascinated by the garbage can, invest in a locking lid.
Another helpful resource is the American Academy of Pediatrics website which is packed with safety tips for every stage of your child’s development. Be sure to bookmark the Consumer Product Safety Commission, where you’ll find information on product recalls and safety hazards.
How to Find Balance in Babyproofing
Creating a completely hazard-free environment is an impossible mission. Babies and toddlers are built to explore, and a few bumps and bruises are inevitable (and often a necessary part of learning). The goal is to minimize serious accidents and create a safe space for your little one to grow and develop.
So brace yourself. There will be moments of frustration, like latching the bathroom drawers only to find your little treasure hunter found her way to your lipstick. But there will also be moments of laughter, like when you catch her hiding in a kitchen cabinet and launch into the most adorable game of peekaboo ever. Embrace the chaos, find the humor, and remember, this phase, like all phases of parenthood, won’t last forever.
OK, which babyproofing item do you think is a waste of money, and which one is your must-have?
