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Most of us probably know the basics of childproofing a home. Common sense would tell us that outlet caps, cabinet latches, corner guards and stair gates are a must with a crawling baby or a toddler around. Childproofing however can still go a long, long way.

CO Detector

You’ve probably heard of smoke and fire detectors but if you have a gas heater at home or in an adjacent garage, you also need a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Modern cars have gotten rid of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning but small gas leaks at home could still very much endanger your child. These helpful detectors should be installed near bedrooms or other areas for sleeping and lounging to prevent poisoning.

Coins, Keys and Trinkets

You’ve probably only thought of securing guns in locked cabinets and drawers but loose change, keys, trinkets, paper clips and other small items may also be harmful to curious little babies. These are common choking hazards and if your child manages to swallow them without choking, you’d still have to worry about throat injuries and how to get the foreign objects out. Make it a point to put small items out of reach and under lock and key whenever possible.

Phones

A lot of accidents can happen while you’re back is turned as you answer the phone. This is especially true if your baby is out of his chair or crib or is in tub water or wandering around the room. Do keep your eyes on your baby as much as possible and if you’re worried about important calls, get a cordless phone and carry it around.

Bathroom

Common sense would tell you that you should always put water temperature at a predetermined setting when you prepare your baby’s bath. If you have no water controls, then at least install an anti scald device. Make sure too to unplug all electrical devices that are not in use and install ground circuit breakers. Keep your baby away from or facing the other way as the water faucets. Your baby could get tempted to tinker with the faucets and get accidentally scalded.

Safety Netting

You know well enough that babies and kids shouldn’t be positioned near windows and balconies. Just in case they do find their way to such areas, you should have safety balcony netting just in case your child falls over. Make sure you regularly maintain or check the netting for frays and holes. Window guards are also sensible attachments but window screens may be too frail and not so helpful in preventing a fall.

Kitchen Appliances

Toddlers and even babies in the crawling stage are naturally excited about learning to use their fingers. They may already be able to turn oven knobs, open refrigerators and ovens and touch burners. Instead of barring your baby from entering the kitchen, get a hold instead of safety latches that you can install on all kitchen appliances and knob covers for burners, ovens and other similarly operated appliances. Stove guards can help protect your child from burns but it also makes sense to simply just ask someone to watch over your toddler somewhere else while you cook.

A well organized and furnished nursery is perhaps a testament to parents’ excitement over the arrival of a new family member, and their desire to provide everything that heir baby may ever need. Before parents even consider looking into the latest baby furniture designs and buying the most recent baby toys and accessories, parents should keep in mind that the baby’s safety in the nursery is of paramount consideration. It may be fun to stock the nursery from wall to wall with everything a baby may want or need, but even the most adorable piece of furniture should go if it posses potential danger to its little occupant. Remember a baby may not immediately be able to appreciate the matching furniture and complain about the arrangement or color combination.

By nature, babies learn to go from lying down on their backs to rolling over, crawling, standing and walking in a span of just a few months. It is also understood that once babies find their knees and feet, their cribs and then their rooms become attractive places to explore.

The room itself therefore should have minimal danger zones. Electrical outlets should have very secure guards to prevent crawling babies from picking the guards off and sticking their fingers into the outlets. While the room should be well ventilated its windows should have secure locks to keep babies from climbing and falling over. Furniture should not be placed directly beside windows since babies may also climb over these to reach the window and fall over.

Cribs should have secure side latches and should have an adjustable bottom that can be adjusted down when a baby learns to stand up. The mattress on the crib should fit tightly to prevent the baby slipping into a gap and getting stuck or injured. Although it may be nice to have cushions and toys around the crib, babies may use this to step up and over the crib. Small crib toys may also pose as choking hazards.

The changing table should preferably be lower than normal height tables and should have a belt or strap to secure a baby when changing.

Other pieces of furniture like storage cabinets should be beyond the reach of babies and should be securely closed to prevent items from potentially falling on the baby. Overhead cabinets are perfect for storing baby toiletries and medicine which may prove hazardous to babies when ingested. Furniture grounded on the nursery floor should not have sharp edges or should at least have corner guards. If there are movable pieces of furniture, it is best to secure them firmly on the floor. Toy boxes should not have heavy lids that may fall on the baby who might decide to rifle through the box.

Other room articles like window blinds should have cord which can be kept out of reach. Mobiles and other hanging toys should also be kept when a baby starts to support himself on his hands and knees.

Of course the best safety precautions are vigilant parental supervision and keeping to the essentials.

Of course, the crib and the changing table are two of the most important pieces of furniture in a baby room. Before even thinking of all the other accessories you want to be included in the nursery, better make sure that the crib and the changing table have their own proper space. Although it may be nice to have a piece of furniture that is customized for a particular function, economy and practicality has made double purpose furniture equally attractive. Perhaps you may consider buying a crib that may function as a baby changer too or a crib that may later be reassembled into a bed for a toddler. There should also be sufficient space for cabinets and drawers for all the clothes and shoes which you will soon find will “grow” by the hundreds.

Compare some baby cribs according to your baby’s needs:

Stokke Sleepi Mini & Crib System - The Sleepi Mini & Crib System The innovative Sleepi System is designed to grow with your child from infancy through the toddler years. It starts as a narrow, cozy bassinet, shaped like an oval to replicate the calming and familiar environment of the womb. The included conversion kit transforms the bassinet into a full-size oval crib. Remove the side panel and lower the mattress for a toddler bed that will accommodate your child until about 5 years of age.

DaVinci Kalani 3-in-1 Crib - The Kalani 3-in-1 Crib This beautifully styled crib by Da Vinci is designed to grow with your child from birth through the toddler years, and even into adulthood. Simply remove the outer side and use the bed conversion guard rail that??s included to convert the crib into a toddler bed. Eventually, the crib’s sides can be used as a headboard and footboard for a full-size bed

DaVinci Lauren 2-in-1 Crib II - The Lauren 2-in-1 Crib II This elegantly styled wood crib by Da Vinci makes a lovely and secure nest for your baby. It has three mattress heights so you can lower the bed as your child grows and a drop-down side so you can easily lift your child in and out of the bed. Plus, you’ll appreciate the added convenience of storage underneath.

DaVinci Alpha Crib - The Alpha Crib At home in any setting, the Alpha crib by Da Vinci is a beautifully crafted crib that’s built to last, with solid hardwood construction and top-quality hardware. It easily converts to a toddler bed, making it useful for many years of your child’s life.

DaVinci Jenny Lind 2-in-1 Crib - The Jenny Lind 2-in-1 Crib This beautifully crafted wooden crib by Da Vinci is a true classic, featuring fully turned spindles all around. It easily converts to a toddler bed, making it useful for many years of your child’s life.

Indeed the arrival of a new cute bundle of joy in a family should be a truly joyous event. While showering a baby with tremendous doses of love and affection is enough to make the little one feel welcome, it may also help to have a special place in the house especially for him/ her.

First time parents are usually excited over organizing a baby room. This excitement may sometimes mean going elbow deep with lists of must-haves for the nursery. Before even considering spending a fortune on your baby’s nursery it is crucial to have in mind certain considerations that may not just save you from over spending but ensure your baby’s safety and comfort.

Not just any room is good enough for your little angel and your soon to be little tyke. Keep in mind that in a span of just twelve months, your baby will be standing on both feet and ruling it over his little kingdom. Unless you can afford to spend twice for another room when he graduates from infancy, your baby room should also be designed for soon to be toddlers. Wall, floor and the room design in general should be attractive to a both a baby and a toddler. While it may be cute to have all those baby designs and colors painted all over the walls, bear in mind that toddlers may soon acquire their own tastes and may not be happy over the “baby” room.

Remember too that the room’s size and location are also important. Make sure that the nursery’s windows are not located within the path of the rising or setting sun, otherwise your baby may get a tan even before he’s able to stand. The room size should also be just right for a little occupant. What’s a baby to do with all that space?

Welcome to the Baby Crib blog, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, family friends! Because you are surfing this site, I would guess you have a brand new cute addition to the family or are expecting one! I hope to be able to provide you with relevant information ranging from baby names to choosing baby cribs!

I am a hopeful wanna-be-mother (having had 2 miscarriages in the past).  This blog is dedicated to all of us who love babies, whether they are ours or not.

Please feel free to post your comments, questions and suggestions as long as they are related to the topic which is…babies!