To ask for advice on how to make my home more child-friendly when friend comes to stay with her 13-month-old?

[MidnightSun77]

My friend has mentioned her 13-month-old DD has difficulty settling and getting to sleep in new places. Is there anything I can do to make this easier for them? They haven't been to my new place yet but are coming for night soon, though friend is a bit reluctant due to DD's trouble settling. They'll have a guestroom and bathroom to themselves, and kitchen is opposite guest room.

Also, how do I make sure my home is baby-safe? She's crawling and pulling-up on things but not walking yet.

My D's is 13 months and is obsessed with bookcases and opening any drawer within reach. Concentrate on anything roughly coffee table height in your lounge, if it can be pulled out, knocked down or broken then consider moving it.
Most kitchen cupboards can be made safe by putting a large elastic band round the handles.
Don't worry too much and let your friends point out anything that might be best moved.

It's so kind of you to consider this! I would say try to make the bedroom they will sleep in as baby proof as possible, no nick nacks etc. Ask your friend what her DD needs to settle, perhaps she can bring a travel blackout blind or white noise maker to make the room familiar. Really it should be your friend bringing most things but perhaps you could also ask about any favourite foods to get in?

Sounds like you may need to be prepared to be tolerant of routines and quirks to help with the settling, so maybe don't query some slightly odd requests!

How lovely you are! Perhaps let your friend know that you don't mind if it takes a lot of time to settle the baby - tell her you know that it could take all evening.....your friend might need to spend a lot of time going up & down the stairs trying to get the baby to sleep, or spending time in the bedroom or dealing with a bit of crying.

Thick curtains in guest room would be great (my babies /youngsters only slept if it was fairly dark, and they woke at 5am when the sun came up!). If you don't have thick curtains/blackout blind you could offer to put a blanket up over the curtains if needed when she comes.

Be prepared incase baby wants a bath before bed, this helps some babies to settle so perhaps have a towel ready etc. which I'm sure you would anyway.

A nightlight or a gently (low-wattage) lamp in bedroom perhaps.

Be prepared to eat quite late, or early!

Try crawling around your rooms, you'll be closer to DD''s height and more likely to spot any potential hazards. Make sure you have nothing unstable that she could possibly pullover when pulling herself up.

I take it she's bringing a travel cot so check there's room for it in the bedroom.

As for baby proofing.

You can't be expected to anticipate her DCs behaviour. Tell her she will have to keep Dd out of the kitchen & bathroom. As for the living room move everything small/breakable up high. And have a spill cloth at hand.