each to their own. i think that i am a mix of both types, i think that my kids are alright though

I agree with this mum – I never baby proofed anything and my parents could leave all their precious things around and the children would look but not touch. Also as far as stairs are concerned, I trained them how to go up and come back down without hurting themselves. That way I didn’t have to worry in case someone forgot to put the gate across – that is usually when accidents happen I find.

I agree with some of the things she says but I would definitely block off the stairs so no accidents. It’s okay to say keep a better eye on them but how many times have we been distracted for a second. That’s all it takes to have a tragedy occur. I prefer to prevent first and foremost. The only thing that was ever blocked off was our open fire place and the stove.

I would never live in a 2 story with a baby or toddler. Yes, at some point to teach them how to use stairs safely with plenty of supervised practise. Finger marks on a glass top coffee table would be the least of my worries. Even as an adult if you accidentally bump into the corner of one, even with jeans or trackpants on you can take skin off your leg and it bleed enough to need a bandaid or even a bandage.

I agree to an extent however I had the baby gates for the stairs. I think they are very important myself.

I didnt do much to baby proof my first home. I had two kids one was 1when I had my son. I had very little furniture so there wasnt alot to baby proof. However I didnt lock my cupboards or drawers. And I must be the luckiest mum, as neither of my Children tried to open the cupboards. They didnt climb either. I did have a Glass Wall unit when they were alittle older and they only ever tried to touch it a few times. But I just always said NO and I think as they had never gotten into any situations, I was a lucky mum. They did have a big yard to play in. But I think for me it was due to having minimal furniture for along time, they had nothing dangerous to get into.
Where I see young couples now have houses full of items in their homes, and lots of tech equipment, and cord, so I can see the extra problems. But I do think you do need to be aware of where your children are at all times.

No I won’t put my child at risk when I can prevent it.
I don’t want to correct the whole day either. I prefer to have it safe an within that condition have my kids freely explore, more fun for them and more fun for me.
My now 3,5 year old is very inquisitive and determined. She broke 3 of our televisions (we now have a special television cupboard, made which is high enough and has doors that lock), pulls heaters from the wall, pulled nearly a cupboard over herself, threw at times all the fridge content over the floor and the list goes on. She also has a strong urge to run off over the street, so we absolutely need to lock the front door with the key as well. So yeah I have safety grips, stair gates, fridge lock and all the stuff and wouldn’t have much peace without it.

I agree with this- I once watched my friend run around my house moving anything breakable out of reach and thinking to myself ‘are you kidding me?’ why not just teach her to not touch things? I can’t really baby proofed anything and my kids have never had an issue. We have a lowline TV unit and he’s often getting remotes and things that he shouldn’t but I just keep telling him no and he is getting the idea.

I totally agree with this, my Bub never touched a burning candle after it almost burnt him the first time. From that experience he learned what “hot” can do and does not go anywhere near the fire place while it’s alight. But I also have a gate for the kitchen because my son would eat all of the cat biscuits and trash the pantry every 2 minutes if I didn’t.

I think its fine but sometimes its sooo much easier to put locks on cupboard doors not for your own children but I had experiences in the past when friends come over for coffee with their little ones and they’re like “don’t do that darling” no darling come here” and its always to late they have pulled the whole contents on to the floor. While mummy continues to sit their saying “its ok”. Mmmm some friends come over for coffee leaving their house beautiful clean and tidy, while yours has just got trashed. Na lock everything up unless you have a very nice little playroom where little people cannot vandalize your lovely home.

So long as you don’t ever have to pee, take a shower, get dressed, cook dinner, or any number of other tasks that might mean your full attention is not on your child 100% of the time, this sounds like a perfect plan……

I had plastic plugs in the sockets and also cupboard locks where I kept the detergents/poisonous stuff etc. Otherwise, it was learn to live with everything.

We had our 1 yo grandson visit recently and nought a box of child proof items. Some he pulled apart, others we didn’t even need cos he just didn’t bother with what we had secured

Baby proofing a home is commonsense and peace of mind. Prevention is always a good idea in all matters. Why risk an accident or worse if it is not necessary.

we have baby gates/locks blocking off the rooms with chemicals in them, otherwise the house is a free zone for kids to wander and learn

Never really baby proofed our homes. The closest would had been when we had a corner room specially built in our new home with half walls and a gate instead of a door, so they could play safe and keep me sane. A room that was padded , had lots of cushions and I could see from anyway in the house with my phone. My other four children just ran wild in the back yard playing with farm animals and learning not what to do. Though my two oldest still annoyed the goat ( horn imprints on their sides ) so it came down to either the children go or the goat go. We kept the children and Missy went to a farm to used for her wool and no children pulling her wool.

Some things you do need to baby-proof for the safety of the child. I always had indoor pot plants and a lot of ornaments around the home which I never put out of reach because yes, a baby needs to learn that these objects are here all the time but are not playthings. But something that poses a huge risk like getting into household cleaners or falling down a flight of steps, I really think you need to babyproof these dangers. It takes a split second for a disaster to happen, no matter how vigilant you may be.

Is it ironic that today you also have an article about a little boy who got burnt by a kettle yes he was i a caravan but accidents happen anywhere

So one day her toddler will drink a bottle of bleach but it will be ok because they won’t do it again?

• • 
  • • Jodilb replied
    • 26 Apr 2017 , 5:03 pm

  ---

  I agree with her to an extent. We’ve moved a pot plant for the sake of the plant. My baby likes chewing electrical leads so we have to watch him like a hawk. If he bites through once he’ll never do it again, he’ll be dead. At 7 months he’s not learning not do repeat mistakes yet. I’m so lucky that I won an amazing Dreambaby playpen on here to keep him safe when I need to go to the toilet or shower.

I do believe you do need to protect your children around the home!