Our night started just like any other as we tucked our little one between my wife and I in bed, sandwiched between mom and dad. We said our good-nights, lights out, expecting another peaceful night’s sleep.
But then it happened. We woke to a cry – our baby? She was on the bedroom floor.
Questions rushed through my head as I wondered how it happened. Our daughter would usually try to wake us or would stay nestled safely between us.
Thankfully, we have a CCTV camera set up in the room, and so we rushed to watch the footage, anxious to understand what had gone wrong. “She climbed on top of you, overshot, and landed on the floor,” my wife said, tears in her eyes.
That night was a wake-up call, a clear sign that it was time to consider baby-proofing – a task we had been putting off.
BABY-PROOFING FOR THE CLUELESS
It’s essentially to create a safe environment for your baby, free from hazards so they can play and roam safely in that space.
Of course I was sceptical at first, often telling my wife, “How can you baby-proof life?”
Boy, was I fully awakened after that eye-opening experience. I had to reconsider and take action to baby proof our bedroom and household.
STRAPPING DOWN THE TINY TORNADO
The initial task involved evaluating our most frequented rooms with our baby. For us, that meant focusing on the bedroom and living room.
We pinpointed potential risks: sharp corners, open electrical outlets, and even tablecloths that our little one could tug down.
Sharp corners and edges: We shielded sharp corners and edges using soft materials or adhesive corner guards.
Electrical safety: We tidied up exposed cords and concealed them, while also securing outlets with safety plugs.
Tablecloth troubles: To avert mishaps, we opted to retire tablecloths altogether and embrace a tablecloth-free home.
Playmats: Moving on, our attention turned to the playroom/bedroom. We opted for a thicker play mat akin to carpeting, ensuring a cushioned surface for our baby’s adventurous attempts at standing and toddling.
A spacious playpen with padded rails was assembled, creating a safe haven for our little explorer.
Toy safety: To mitigate risks, we kept the number of toys in the playpen to a minimum, reducing the chance of any tumbles onto hard surfaces. Post-playtime, toys found a home in an accessible bin, steering clear of heavy-lidded boxes that could pose potential hazards.
PARANOIA OR PREPAREDNESS?
In the weeks following the incident, a cloud of uncertainty lingered over us.
We took drastic measures, attempting to baby-proof our little one by outfitting her with headgear and a cushioned backpack.
Much to our chagrin, she swiftly figured out how to remove them or simply laid there, staring at us until we relented.
Turning to my siblings, who had navigated similar challenges, I sought guidance.
The best advice came in a simple yet profound statement, “They’re stronger than you think.” This reminder resonated, highlighting that each moment is a learning opportunity for a baby.
While it’s crucial to safeguard them, we can’t shield them from every mishap.
Understanding this has brought a sense of perspective, allowing us to approach parenting with a balanced mind-set, adopting resilience in both our child and ourselves.
BABY STEPS
In the end, baby proofing boils down to finding that sweet spot. We try to keep our munchkins safe while allowing them the freedom to discover and develop.
Our baby-proofing journey has been a mix of trial, error and plenty of learning curves. It’s been a crash course in safety and resilience, reminding us that parenting is all about finding the right balance.
We strive to create a nurturing space where our little explorers can grow, knowing they can always rely on us to lend a helping hand when they need it. – ADIB NOOR
