Childproofing

[Empusa]

Luckily DS isn't even crawling yet, so we are in no big rush, but we are looking at what we need to do to make the place safe for him when he does.

Currently we have a child gate that we'll be using on the living room door. But in the living room we have two desktop PCs (the towers for them are currently on the floor), an electronic drumkit, and a selection of consoles. And of course all the wiring for these.

We can't move them anywhere, as there is no space anywhere else (1 bed flat), so we have to work around them.

DH is thinking of creating some kind of run for him, so he can't reach the above items. I'm not 100% keen on it. Though I'm thinking of maybe using different fabrics/pouches for toys/etc to make it a fun thing rather than a cage for him.

Any ideas? What did you do?

We are in a 1 bed flat. My 8mo ds can't crawl yet but needs space to roll around and practice sitting and crawling. We eventually bought a soft playpen - it's a really lovely one from kiddicare - no bars but had mesh sides like a travel cot and a soft floor so if he topples he is protected (we have wooden floors). He doesnt spend long in there but it means if I need to take my eyes off him to make his food etc I can put him somewhere safe. wish i had bought it sooner - we just have too much clutter for him to be safe in the living room.

We barriered off the wires (etc.), rather than the baby. And teach No, they can learn.

DD is 13 months old. She started walking unaided at 11 months. I can't even remember when she started crawling... 8 months?

We didn't go crazy with the baby proofing. I sort of feel that babies need to learn their own boundaries so we just focussed on what was dangerous / what we couldn't supervise effectively.

We installed a baby gate at the top and bottom of the stairs, and put magnetic adhesive locks on half the cupboards in the kitchen (the ones with sharp knives, alcohol, bleach etc).

We also put socket covers over the electric outlets but to be honest she never goes near them anyway and there are plenty of ones we've forgotten to re-cover after use.

Finally I moved up any belongings I didn't want damaged up high, such as photo albums, glass decorations etc.

We have left all our electrical appliances in situ, no special baby proofing for cables or anything.

We're going to fit magnetic locks on one of the vanity cupboards as we have lots of glass perfume bottles etc which she has started to pull out.

But we're trying to leave as many cupboards in the kitchens and bathrooms free for her to explore - and we supervise as appropriate.

I completely agree with Transatlantic city girl, we haven't baby proof the house. I think it is bonkers to baby proof the house, you just need to look where your baby is and what he does.
My son is now 15 months, started walking at 13 months, and crawling at 8 months, we haven't put stairgates, and I don't think we need them to be honest. We haven't put locks in the kitchen either, and he opens the lower doors, but we just tell him not to open the doors, he still opens them sometimes, but I think it is important he learns from experiences, rather than just baby proofing the whole house. Then he wouldn't learn what is dangerous. Same thing with cables, he always tries to pull the cables, we tell him not to do it. I know it takes time and patience, but they are learning.

We have a 10 month old who started crawling about 2 months ago and is now a very efficient cruiser and crawler. The only thing we have done is put stair gates up. I found if you really don't want them to get somewhere and are consistent and strict with the no's , they learn. In our case baby is not allowed near the dog bowl or dog bed when the dog is in it. We have only had maybe 2 water bowl spillages right at the beginning. This is with a baby who will touch/ eat/ throw anything in sight. Just be consistent and attentive from the word go. All cables uncovered and giant tv not attached to anything. DD showing no interest at all because it was never an option to her.