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Friday, 17 December 2010 13:05
Baby Proofing Stages: What You Need to Do and When You Should Do It
Written by Gina Roberts-Grey
You know outlet covers, cabinet locks, and baby gates are the basics of baby proofing. But, it’s hard to know exactly when to start putting them, and other common baby proofing gadgets, to good use.
Susan A. Helms R.N. director of Injury Prevention at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, TN and Safe Kids Mid-South, a national campaign headquartered at Le Bonheur, says “Babies are curious. That’s how they learn.” And, baby proofing or “curiosity proofing” is an ongoing process that should evolve with your baby’s development. “Approach it in stages and start before the baby is born. Upgrade when he’s crawling, and expand “proofing” when he starts to walk,” says Helms.
After giving birth to her second daughter, Lisa Merritt of Miami, FL, learned it’s also smart to baby proof based on your baby’s unique personality and activity level. “Our first didn’t get into much but we “proofed” the electrical outlets, cleanser cabinet and important drawers anyway.” This had Merritt thinking she was prepared for daughter number two, but it wasn’t so. “She’s into everything! We even had to “proof” the dishwasher so she won’t get burned by the hot water and the refrigerator to prevent her breaking the bottles of sauces,” Merritt says.
Before bringing baby home
Though it’s important to safely secure chemicals once he’s mobile, a newborn can’t crawl to the cabinet and knock over a bottle of window cleaner. So Helms suggests initially casting a broad safety net over your household. “Take a first aid/CPR class and encourage grandparents and babysitters who will be taking care of your baby to join you,” she says. And keep a baby-appropriate first-aid kit on hand.
• Set your hot water tank at 120°F to prevent accidental scalding. Being exposed to water that’s 150°F for just 2 seconds can result in burns that require medical attention.
• The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission lists windows and window coverings as number four in their “Top Five Hidden Home Hazards”. So, when you’re setting up the nursery, position the crib, furniture, and toys away from windows and window cords.
• Keep a baby first-aid kit on hand. You can purchase pre-packed kits or put your own together. Some of the essentials are: infant thermometers (digital ear or rectal), infants non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen), as recommended by your pediatrician, topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (1/2 percent) for insect bites and rashes, nasal aspirator bulb, rubbing alcohol to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors and petroleum jelly to lubricate rectal thermometers.
• Properly install a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of your vehicle (www.safekids.org has information on installing seats).
• The U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission lists windows and window coverings as number four in their “Top Five Hidden Home Hazards”. So, when you’re setting up the nursery, position the crib, furniture, and toys away from windows and window cords.
• Keep a baby first-aid kit on hand. You can purchase pre-packed kits or put your own together. Some of the essentials are: infant thermometers (digital ear or rectal), infants non-aspirin liquid pain reliever (acetaminophen), as recommended by your pediatrician, topical calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream (1/2 percent) for insect bites and rashes, nasal aspirator bulb, rubbing alcohol to clean thermometers, tweezers, and scissors and petroleum jelly to lubricate rectal thermometers.
• Properly install a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of your vehicle (www.safekids.org has information on installing seats).
The first few weeks
James M. Sears, M.D., a pediatrician in San Clemente, CA, and author of The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood (Little, Brown 2006) says for the first three to four months baby proofing is centered on habits, not protective devices. “This is the time to develop safe habits like not leaving baby unattended on the kitchen counter or near water.” Keep him away from secondhand smoke and make sure he doesn’t go to sleep with toys or stuffed animals in the crib or playpen. And, get in the habit of checking all restraints, before starting the car.
James M. Sears, M.D., a pediatrician in San Clemente, CA, and author of The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood (Little, Brown 2006) says for the first three to four months baby proofing is centered on habits, not protective devices. “This is the time to develop safe habits like not leaving baby unattended on the kitchen counter or near water.” Keep him away from secondhand smoke and make sure he doesn’t go to sleep with toys or stuffed animals in the crib or playpen. And, get in the habit of checking all restraints, before starting the car.
When your baby begins to crawl
Helms says mobility brings the need to step up your proofing. “To identify dangers, look around your house through your baby’s eyes.” Get on your hands and knees to open cabinets and pull on furniture. Move floor plants, trash cans and pet toys out of his reach. And, Helms says look under the bed. “Babies can crawl into small spaces and find things that may have rolled, or be stored, out of sight.”
At this stage you’ll also need to:
• Use baby proof locks on cabinets, especially those with cleaners and chemicals, matches, sharp objects and medicines.
• Use tamper-resistant face plates on electrical outlets and cord shorteners (onestepahead.com, set of 2, $7.95) to prevent lamps, baby monitors and clock radios from being pulled off tables.
• Replace doorstops that have removable rubber tips with ones that are all one piece. “The rubber tip of door stoppers are easily pried off and become a choking hazard,” says Helms.
• Keep your purse off the floor and out of his reach so he doesn’t play with or ingest things in it, like coins, paper clips, sharp objects, even medications.
• Install gates at the top and bottom of your stairs.
• Use corner and edge covers on the sharp corners of coffee tables, piano benches and hearths.
Baby Proofing the Family Car
Whether running errands or taking
a family road trip, your baby will spend a lot of time in your car. And, experts
say that’s one area that also needs a bit of baby proofing.
• Tim Bowen, director of homeowner claims, MetLife Auto and Home says “passengers are often injured by mirrors and window shades being thrown around the car during an accident or when stopping fast.” Soft toys (that can’t fit in his mouth) are the only things that should ride along in the cabin of your vehicle. That goes for your purse and diaper bag, too. Those are best kept in the trunk.
• Pack a mini first aid kit to keep in your trunk. Include sunscreen, anti-bacterial cream for cuts and scraps at the park, tweezers (for splinters or ticks), pre-moistened packets of rubbing alcohol, and adhesive bandage strips.
• Periodically check for recall notices on car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) has the latest information on recall notices.
• Pack a mini first aid kit to keep in your trunk. Include sunscreen, anti-bacterial cream for cuts and scraps at the park, tweezers (for splinters or ticks), pre-moistened packets of rubbing alcohol, and adhesive bandage strips.
• Periodically check for recall notices on car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) has the latest information on recall notices.
In addition to writing about pregnancy and baby related topics, Gina Roberts-Grey is a regular contributor to Glamour, Natural Solutions and Heart Healthy Living.
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