Baby-proofing the house
It is VERY
important for you to take the time and really look throughout your home for
anything that could present a danger to your baby. The location of their crib, proximity to
shades or curtains, and a myriad of other items should be carefully considered
and planned to provide the safest environment for your baby.
Since they are basically stationary until
they crawl, the ability to make sure they are in a ‘baby-safe’ zone is pretty
easy at first, but this can also mean things like not allowing a family pet to get too
close until you are sure of their disposition to the newborn.
Once crawling begins, you will need to look to
a much wider radius as a ‘baby-safe’ zone.
Newborns are curious and their entire world is new. Their bouncy ball is new, the rattle makes
noise, and those electrical outlets on the wall look like fun. There are countless baby safety products from outlet
covers to cabinet safety locks that are available. Make sure you think of things like choking
hazards, gates for staircases and windows, and checking to make sure you have a
smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector that are in good working order. When
it comes to making sure your baby is safe at all times ‘good enough’ does not
work. It has to be ‘for sure, no chance
of it happening.” Unfortunately, tragedies are reported
far too often from things like infants locking themselves in a cabinet, falling off balconies, or pulling
themselves up from the floor only to have a cabinet or TV fall on them.
Be careful with the precious new life you
have created. You spent 9 months protecting
it inside of you. Now your attention has to turn to protecting it outside of you from all of the things in
the world that can pose a risk to your newborn.
