How will we babyproof?

Babyproofing is about safety. But it’s also about setting up your space so you’re not always redirecting, saying “no,” or sprinting across the room to grab something sharp. Babyproofing makes room for more “yes” moments.

So, how do you do that in a way that’s smart, flexible, and actually fits your life?

Making Space for Curiosity

You’re not trying to create a sterile, corner-free environment. You’re trying to create a space where your baby can safely explore, where you can take your eyes off them for more than 3.2 seconds without someone face-planting into a bookshelf.

A good starting point? Ask yourselves what kind of home you want to grow into with your baby. Some couples prefer to make the whole house baby-friendly. Others stick to a few designated zones. Many do a little of both, depending on layout and energy levels.

What Are We Really Trying to Prevent?

Let’s be clear: not everything in your home needs to be locked, padded, or bolted to the wall. But there are a few big categories that matter:

• Falls and tipping hazards: Anchor bookshelves, dressers, and TVs. Even small furniture can be dangerous if climbed.

• Choking and strangulation risks: Keep small objects, cords, and pet toys out of reach.

• Access to dangerous items: Think cleaning supplies, medications, sharp tools, batteries.

• Electricity and heat sources: Cover outlets, secure cords, and keep hot surfaces blocked or out of reach.

• Stairs, doorways, and unexpected escape routes: Baby gates are your first line of defense

The goal isn’t to eliminate every possible risk. That’s just not realistic, but you can substantially lower the risk of serious injuries.

Your Baby’s Milestones Will Lead the Way

You don’t have to babyproof everything before the baby arrives, but if you’re in planning mode, you can absolutely start now. Here’s how development shapes your strategy:

• Newborns mostly lie there. No need to lock anything just yet. Focus on safe sleep and washing your hands.

• Once they roll or scoot, they’re suddenly mobile, even if it’s awkward. That’s when you start rethinking floor-level access.

• Crawlers become explorers: fast, determined, and sneakily quiet. Cabinet locks and outlet covers become your new best friends.

• Cruisers and walkers? Game on. Anything becomes climbable. You’ll watch them walk straight into a table leg while giggling the whole way down.

Babyproofing can be a weekend project if you’re up for it, but more often, it’s a slow and steady process. Start with the basics, then adjust as your baby grows, explores, and inevitably surprises you.

Style and Safety Can Coexist

No, you don’t need to live in a foam-padded fortress. And no, babyproofing doesn’t mean your house has to look like a preschool.

There are tons of sleek, minimal, or even hidden options these days:

• Magnetic cabinet locks that don’t show on the outside

• Clear corner bumpers that won’t clash with your furniture

• Baby gates that come in black, wood grain, or simple white, not just plastic

• Soft floor mats that aren’t neon puzzle pieces (unless you want them to be!)

You’re allowed to care about how your home looks. You’re building a space where your family will spend a lot of time. Safety doesn’t need to be an eyesore.

Talk About Your Threshold for Chaos

Here’s the real question under all the babyproofing decisions: How much daily management do you want to be doing?

If you’re okay constantly redirecting your baby, you might get by with some outlet covers and a few locked cabinets. If you’d rather relax a bit and let your baby roam more freely, you may want to gate off whole rooms or designate certain areas as fully baby-safe. Talk it out:

• What feels manageable to each of you?

• Are you more “keep it out of reach” or “teach them not to touch”?

• Do you want a free-roaming baby or a contained play zone?

The key is to get on the same page about what kind of environment feels good and sustainable for you both. We traded out our sharp-edged glass table and got a soft ottoman instead. It is much more comfortable for putting our toes up… so maybe it’s a win win for all. We’ve also added outlet covers and a lock on the bathroom cabinet because she loves getting into anything skincare and makeup.

You Don’t Need to Buy Everything Right Away

It’s easy to overbuy in the name of safety, but start with what’s relevant to your baby’s stage and your space. You can always add more. Begin with:

• Essentials: outlet covers, cabinet locks, corner guards, furniture anchors, baby gates

• Your unique hazards: stairs, low shelves, houseplants, sharp-edged furniture, pet food bowls

• Budget-friendly hacks: velcro to keep drawers closed, rubber bands on cabinet handles, rearranged furniture to block access.

You’ll Miss Something. That’s Okay.

There will be one forgotten drawer, one rogue marble, one poorly positioned lamp cord. And at some point, your baby will find it—guaranteed.

That doesn’t mean you failed. That means you live in a real home, not a showroom. Babyproofing isn’t about eliminating every bump, bonk, or tumble. It’s about making the most dangerous stuff less accessible, so you can worry less and enjoy more.

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