We are hard-pressed to think of anything that evokes the desire to protect and care more so than a new baby in our arms. You are the caretaker of your child and on the front line when it comes to making sure that their environment and wellbeing are always being maintained and taken care of.
This starts from the moment they are born, and one of the first places you have full ownership and control of this is in their nursery. Let’s look at some of the many ways in which you can provide your child with as much protection as possible.
Video monitors
Consider a video baby monitor for an added level of security. Video monitors allow you to not only hear your baby should they need comforting, but also to see the baby and better understand why they may be in distress. Audio monitors offer the sound which can alert you to run to them, but a video feed lets you know that they are just fussing while sleeping and perhaps will settle themselves back to sleep. The video monitor can free up your mind from feeling like you need to run back to the room to check in on them every so often. If you are a first time parent, you will have a path well worn from each room to their baby nursery!
Lead Paint
If you live in an older apartment or home, there may be a chance that lead-based paint was used on window frames, other structural elements, and perhaps even on the walls. You need to take precaution with sanding or stripping this type of paint while you prepare the nursery for the baby’s arrival and know how to replace and repair those areas properly.
Chemical Free
Many parents may be inclined to use chemicals in their baby nurseries, thinking they are eliminating the bacteria and other unwelcome guests or pests that may get in. Look for natural solutions and alternatives to keeping your home clean and germ free. This notion extends from general cleaning to overall maintenance which can include pest control and home repair. Keeping wipes and cleaning material out of the baby’s reach is also necessary for the safety of the child. Use a detergent that is not likely to irritate your baby’s skin when they wear their freshly washed clothes. Bath soaps and shampoos should contain as few ingredients as possible – and be natural when that is an option.
Electrical Checks
A newly crawling baby has access to the things at eye level that we walk by without a second glance. This includes cords and plugs to lamps, radios, monitors, and other devices that reside in a nursery. Make sure that these cords are not only hidden if possible but also free from tears and abrasions that have left wires exposed. That vintage lamp may look adorable, but the cord may be a hazard if left unchecked. Use outlet covers when a plug is not in use.
Furniture
Secure the backs of all furniture to the wall with proper anchoring and stability measures. A baby that is learning to reach or pull themself up will not know what is secure and what will topple over on to them as they grab hold of whatever is within their access.
Carpet
Ideally, a wooden floor with area rug would give you the easier option to change out and replace much easier than wall to wall carpeting would. Keep the floor area regularly vacuumed and freed from dirt and clutter. Even the smallest item can be a hazard to a crawling child or baby playing on the floor. That staple that fell from the mail is shiny and interesting to new eyes. And shiny and interesting can often end up in the baby’s mouth. Asking guests to remove their shoes when they are in your home will prevent all of the outside dirt from coming inside where your baby is crawling around, or even laying on the floor.
If you will be traveling often, you can greatly benefit from using a travel cot.
Conclusion
Every purchase that you now make or item that you bring into your home is a new consideration for safety. Rethink how you look at things from the perspective of a baby who is seeing it for the first time – at both their eye level and level of curiosity, and you will gain a new perspective.
