Your Pregnancy: Week 26 for Dad
By: ePregnancy
Remember how you felt the very first time you experienced the Bally’s Sterling Brunch buffet in Vegas? Well, that is precisely how your baby sees his world.
We aren’t kidding -- everything in sight will at some point end up in your child’s mouth. And don’t even get us started on the corners he’ll knock his head on or the cabinets he’ll pry open.
At the risk of sounding like your mother, it would behoove you to get started babyproofing your home now, so you’ll be prepared once young master starts moving around.
Here are a few ways to get started:
Get on the floor. That's right, get down on your hands and knees as if you were a baby. Crawl from room to room and get an idea of everything that might pose a hazard -- loose nails, splintered floorboards, stray items that could make their way into the little one's mouth and so on.
Check the crib. Avoid vintage cribs, as they may be coated with lead paint or other chemicals. Make sure the crib railings are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and the crib sides are flush with the headboard and footboard. Skip those popular bumpers -- they aren't necessary and can pose a suffocation hazard.
Make utility changes. Switch all the cover plates on your electrical sockets to childproof ones. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F to prevent burns.
Get a consultant. Yep, there are professional baby-proofers out there. They do this for a living and can spot anything you've missed.
Keep in mind, this is just a very short list of ways to get started on baby-proofing your home. For other changes to make, do a quick Google search -- list after list (after list) will pop up. There are also tons of books available, so check those out as well.