The Catskill Chronicle

Twice Divorced – By Grayce Goin

Dear Twice Divorced,

My first baby was born a couple of months ago and she sure is healthy and beautiful and perfect.  I’m getting worried though ‘cause I hear all sorts of stories about when the babies start crawling around and all the trouble they can get into. Like sticking things in electric sockets and chewing stuff, just awful things. How can I make her not do things like this?

 

Worried

 

Dear Worried,

 

First, relax and enjoy your daughter. Second, trying to make her “not do” these things is not even to be considered.

It is up to you to be proactive in making her environment safe for her exploration as this is your child’s first interaction with the world around her.

 

Use your common sense; if something will fit in the baby’s mouth it must be kept out of her reach. Before letting her crawl, get down on the floor and crawl around looking for anything brightly colored or shiny that would attract a baby’s attention. Buy outlet covers for every outlet in every room she might be able to get into. Do you have strings hanging from window shades? Go to the hardware store and buy the little brackets that attach to the window frame or wall that the length of the string can be wrapped around (like my mother used back in the dark ages).

 

Are there low tables that she might use to pull herself up? Keep these tables clear.

Anything breakable can quickly become a choking hazard. Even a very young child can rip the corner off a page in a book or magazine and choke on it.

Cabinet and drawer locks come in a multitude of styles that should cover your every need. Under no circumstances should you store anything that has the potential to poison or injure her in a lower cabinet in any room she might get into until she is at least in kindergarten. I learned this lesson the hard way when my then 4 year old son (in the 1980s) came to me with Lysol on his breath – he had gotten through two “child-proof” locks.

Then there is the danger from appliance cords and the like. I suggest you peruse the links below for the most complete information and ideas of what to watch out for in general. Also, many hospitals and community groups offer parent-training classes either free or at a minimal cost.

http://babyparenting.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/babyproofing.htm – general info from About.com

www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/252.pdf – suggestions from the government

www.parentalguide.org/childproofing.aspx – even though this is a .org, safety items are sold at what they claim to be discounted prices – I did not comparison shop.

www.childproofing.org – this is for community safety

Take good care of that little girl, and

Be Well

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