Baby Proofing Basics

Baby Proofing Basics
by: Olga Sysoef

One of the first things that goes through a new parent’s head is the need for safety. Baby proofing your home is a major concern – and rightfully so. Many accidents that happen in the home can be prevented with a few safety precautions.

Before you spend a penny on baby proofing accessories, take an inventory throughout your home to look for trouble spots. Some examples of baby dangers are chemicals, open toilets, bathtub faucets, sharp edges on tables and other furniture, staircases, unprotected electrical outlets, heavy furniture such as bookcases and entertainment centers that could fall on baby, window blind cords, electrical appliances, sharp utensils, doors that lock on the inside, and choking hazards.

As you’re going through your home making a baby-proofing inventory, make sure that you don’t stay on your feet. Don’t forget to get on your hands and knees and get a baby’s eye level view of your home.

When you look at the above list, you may begin to feel overwhelmed – but don’t panic! Baby proofing doesn’t have to be done all in one day – especially if you start early in your pregnancy and baby’s life.

You should begin thinking about baby proofing as soon as you decide to become a parent. However, even after your baby is born you have a little time to get the job done. At first your baby won’t be able to move around the house at will and this gives you time to get your baby proofing done if you haven’t already completed it. Certainly before your baby is crawling, you should have your baby proofing completed.

Many parents work hard at baby proofing their home, but don’t take care of the hidden choking hazards that are lurking. An easy test to determine whether or not an object is a choking hazard is to see if it will fit through the hole in a toilet paper roll.

If an object can easily slide through, it can easily be picked up by small hands and put in the mouth. Make sure that you don’t make a baby-proofing mistake by overlooking common objects in your home that could spell big danger.

Once you know what areas of your home need baby proofing, you can make some simple modifications to improve safety. Childproof latches, socket covers, and simply picking up dangerous objects can help make your home safer for your baby and improve your peace of mind.

About The Author
Olga Sysoef is a co-publisher of Baby Care Guide designed to Unlock your Inner Mother Code. Parenting manual that mother nature should have included with your new baby - Your Baby Care Guide.

Prepare Your Baby to Walk with Ease

Prepare Your Baby to Walk with Ease
by: Olga Sysoef

One concern many parents have is teaching their baby to walk. It may seem like it just comes naturally – and to an extent it does! However, there are things you can do to prepare your baby to walk.

Babies don’t just wake up one day and start walking. There’s a natural progression from rolling over, to sitting up, to scooting, to crawling, to pulling up to walking. Teaching your baby to walk easily depends on her mastering those first steps.

When your baby starts to become mobile, it’s important to make sure that your home is a safe environment. Inspect your home to prevent your child from getting hurt on sharp corners, ledges, and stairs while your teaching your baby to walk.

You may also be tempted to head to the store and purchase a walker. However, when you’re teaching your baby to walk it’s important not to use a walker. They can be dangerous and can cause accidents and injuries.

When you’re teaching your baby to walk, you may want to rush out and buy the perfect pair of shoes. However, recent research suggests that babies actually learn to walk better when they’re not wearing shoes.

So save your money and teach your baby to walk without the little tennies. If you want your child to wear shoes, that’s okay, too. Just be aware that they won’t make it easier for your baby to walk.

If you’re going to buy shoes, follow a few simple rules of thumb. When you teach your baby to walk, you must make sure that his shoes are going to help instead of hurt. Look for shoes with flexible soles and flat bottoms. Pass up the high-tops and go for a shoe that allows your baby’s ankle to move.

Also check your baby’s shoe size frequently to make sure he hasn’t outgrown them.

One of the most important things you can do to teach your baby to walk is encourage her to get a lot of exercise. Help her to develop coordination and balance by playing physical games and toys that promote dexterity.

Toys that allow your baby to push or pull are excellent to teach your baby to walk. You can also play by kicking and throwing balls. These little activities will promote eye-hand coordination and balance.

Don’t forget to have fun! You don’t need to push your baby too hard, just enjoy the process while you teach your baby to walk.

About The Author
Olga Sysoef is a co-publisher of Baby Care Guide designed to Unlock your Inner Mother Code. Parenting manual that mother nature should have included with your new baby - Your Baby Care Guide