Would you let your baby crawl here?

[WeepyNsleepy]

1. In your own home: in the bathroom
2. On the lawn in your own garden
3. On the lawn in a park or public green space
4. On the ground of a public playground
5. In your own home in an area where people wear outside shoes
6. Indoor play area for older children
7. On the beach
8. Any other place that might not seem immediately obvious bit turned out to be baby crawling (and parent heaven)

(Assume that you are supervising your baby.)

Just curious what other people think is ok. With DD I was over protective and didn't let her crawl in any of these. Now with my second I don't want to make the same mistake (of being over protective) but am genuinely wondering if I'm overlooking some serious health or safety issues.

All of the above.

Well ds I let crawl everywhere though I do worry about dog shit sjd broken glass outside. And he puts everything in his mouth so I have to watch him like s hawk. DD actually thinking back I did let her crawl on the beach and in indoors play areas and anywhere inside the house but she only crawled for a couple of months in winter before she started walking so it wasn't such an issue

Thanks everyone for the replies. Very reassuring!!

Yes to all. I don’t think it would have occurred to me to stop him.

Plus add in: horses’ stables, chicken run, and garage.

Oh yes, I let my DS craw all of these places, and on the park walking path too if he wished. Obviously checked for glass/cigarette buds/dog shit etc, but yes, he was free to roam around if he wanted.

Yes to all - but would've done aquick visual check first for broken glass etc.
Also wouldn't just let them crawl off somewhere in their own so you keep watching for things going in mouths etc. Mine are grown up now so survived without problems

Yes to all and one of mine is immunosuppressed. I just washed their hands afterwards.

All of these except on the floor of a public playground, that's pretty yuck

Nowadays I wouldn't let a child crawl in the park due to the sheer amount of dog faeces and urine that's passed on the grass. I walk in my local park almost every day and the number of dogs is unbelievable at times, mostly dog-walkers with sometimes six dogs apiece.

Even though the majority do clear up there must still be residue.

I let DC crawl in all these places and lots of others but I put waterproof mittens tightly strapped over DC's hands and wrists so they couldn't pick up any sticks or cigarette butts and put them in their mouth. I also kept a sharp look out for dog poo. I have some funny photos of 8 month old DC crawling alongside the pram in the snow in our local woods like a little dog. But I wouldn't have done this without protection on both hands and feet.

Yes to all. Babies need to explore the world! A bit of dirt is actually helpful. I’ve seen research that suggests that the big increase in allergies is because we don’t allow babies/toddlers to play outside in the dirt anymore. Definitely need very close supervision in these places but I think it does way more harm not to give them any freedom, than if they maybe put dirt in their mouth quickly! My baby has done this trace fly while crawling outside, I did wash it out quickly and she was fine, she loves the garden.

Not #4

All the rest yes I did. They survived.

Yes, all of those, although looking out for any hazards at the playground. They need germs to build their immune system so I have had to steel myself and let them live.

My DD even sits down on public toilet seats as I am trying not to pass on my phobias to her and anyway I am unable to hold her up without pee going everywhere.

I'd have drawn the line at crawling on a public toilet floor though 🤢

I'd be most concerned about the indoor play area for older children - babies find all sorts of interesting half-eaten and discarded food to eat on soft play floors!

I put my children down anywhere safe i.e. no danger of bring stood on or tripped over, no rubbish, were supervised etc.

DD2 learnt to walk on a beach as crawling on the sand wasn't comfy!

Mine crawled in all those places. Never got hurt/ had an accident and is rarely ever sick.

Yes to all but with caveats… not near the toilet in the bathroom, not on a public play park if it’s that horrible scuffy syrface/overly dirty looking and generally people don’t wear shoes in my house!

Yes.

where did she crawl?

Most of them, I might not let them crawl on tarmac because I'd think it would be uncomfortable/scratch their feet and I rarely put socks on my babies. But grass, sand, yes. Although if they are determined to eat it, I tend to move them/carry them or put a blanket down.

No to the bathroom, they’d be only be in there if taking a bath and there’s not exactly much floor space. Hard no to the playground as it’s hard plus lots of rampaging older kids. The beach never happened either as my only kid that crawled did it over winter but if it’s not rocky and they’re closely supervised in case of sand eating then I see no problem. The others are absolutely fine though, I think it’s very strange not to let them crawl in your own garden tbh.

My first baby is only 4.5m but I can't imagine having a problem with any of them except the soft play and that's only because I would worry about her getting squashed! If it was quiet then I would let her.
Provided I was closely supervising- checking for glass/dog poo and watching for eating inappropriate things (I also have a cousin who ate a snail!) then I can't see an issue. Having said that the play park on our estate is well maintained which helps. All the beaches near us are stones so I can't imagine it being very comfortable but if she wants to 🤷‍♀️

Generally yes to all.

The playground - that would depend on the surface and wouldn't be based on dirt, but on her hands getting hurt as some are quite rough.

The play area for older children - again, from a dirt point of view I'd be fine, but it seems like a silly place to have a baby crawling around if there are children running around playing.

Obviously any crawling outdoors would be supervised, and public areas would be checked for rubbish etc, but if I'm happy to sit on the grass in a public park, I'd be happy for her to crawl around next to me.

Yes to all. But I'd do a quick floor scan to check for poo in the park, dirt in the house etc.

Genuine question how would you stop them?

Yes to all.
It doesn't mean you aren't still watching out for them .

I don't think it's that difficult to imagine how to stop them particularly the not at home places - most babies of crawling age are taken to places in a buggy or sling or car seat so you'd just leave them in it or carry them around rather than put them down. And when you only have one child you can just not go to places like soft play, parks etc.