One of the most exciting and memorable times is when your baby takes those first steps. It seemed so far away when you brought that bundle of joy home. But there they are, walking into your arms….or over to pull the dogs tail, or to pull the tablecloth off the table. Although it is a very exciting time and a milestone for your baby, you need to do some work as well. Get down on the floor and look around. You may have had your home baby proofed but that was for a crawling baby. Now that they are standing tall, there may be other things they can now reach that were out of their reach when they were crawling.
It is sometimes difficult to see dangers in your home. You get use to things being in a space and look past it time and time again. Make an effort to look at your home through baby’s eyes. Are there corners to fall on? Are all of your outlets covered? Do you have baby gates on stairways? Are doors baby proofed? Remember that they can now reach up and open that knob or pull that drawer where you may have your sharp kitchen utensils. If it is something they shouldn’t be in, you know that is the first place they will go!
A good idea would be to go through a catalog of baby safety products. This may get you to think about an area that you wouldn’t have thought of as a safety issue. Read some articles on baby proofing your home. Talk to other parents with toddlers to see what they have done. An ounce of prevention now is worth its weight in gold. It only takes a split second… a ringing phone…. a knock at the door…….
Enjoy this time. There is only one first step and it’s a memory that you will cherish forever.
