It’s Time to Baby Proof Your Home!

Your baby wants to move, climb, open things, and poke around in small spaces. She does not understand how dangerous things can be.

There are many reasons to baby proof your house:

• It helps your baby avoid accidents and injuries.
• It gives your baby a large area to safely explore, which helps her learn.
• You won’t have to keep saying no.
• It keeps your valued items safe.

How to baby proof:

• Get down on the floor and crawl around. Look carefully at everything in the rooms where your baby goes. Create a safe area for your baby to play.
• Cover all electrical outlets.
• Move cleaning products onto high, out-of-reach shelves.
• Put small items such as matches, nails, and tiny beads out of sight.
• Move chemicals such as cleaning products and bug killers to high, out-of-reach shelves.
• Keep all medicines out of reach.
• Install childproof locks on cabinets that hold items you don’t want your baby to have.
• Use new gates to block off stairs and other places you don’t want your baby to play. Old-fashioned accordion gates are dangerous. Your baby can be trapped in the gate.

Until you have a safe play area, borrow or buy a playpen or new gate. Playpens work well with some babies, while other babies cry the minute they’re put into one. If you do use a playpen, be sure it has a spring lock and no hinges or joints that can pinch tiny fingers. Do not keep your baby in the playpen long; she will get tired of it and it keeps her from safely exploring and learning.

What Is Your Baby Like?

Your baby is one of a kind. Babies may differ in these ways:

Rhythms - Some babies eat, sleep, even have bowel movements about the same time each day. Others never do the same thing from one day to the next.

Approach or withdrawal - Some babies shy away from new things, while others seek them out.

Adaptability - Some babies won’t take their formula if it isn’t the right temperature. Some babies can sleep only in their own cribs. Others do fine no matter where they are or with whom.

Intensity of reaction - Some babies whimper quietly when they’re cold or hungry. Others howl as soon as they are unhappy.

Level of responsiveness - Some babies notice the tiniest change around them. Others can sleep through thunderstorms.

All of these things make up your baby’s temperament. Some combinations are easier to live with than others.

Easy babies are active and predictable. They adapt easily to change and are usually happy.

Slow-to-warm-up babies pull away from new things a little and adapt slowly to change.

Difficult babies tend to be unpredictable. They withdraw from new situations, adapt slowly to change, and react slowly.

If your baby is difficult, know: Your baby is not difficult on purpose and is not bad. He can grow up to be as bright and loving as others. Your baby was born with this style of adapting, but it may change as he grows. A difficult baby needs more caring and more patient parents who will accept him and help him learn.

To help a difficult baby: Introduce things slowly, so he gets accustomed to them. Pay attention to your baby’s signals, and adjust your plan to his temperament. Over time, you will find the right amount of stimulation to suit him. The style of adapting that makes your baby seem difficult at this age can help him be a great problem solver when he is older.