ParentlistBabyproofing Essentials
Babyproofing for crawlers, cruisers and climbers
Safety and babyproofing covers the changes that make your home safer for a child who can move. Before your baby is mobile there's little to do, but once rolling turns into scooting and crawling, often somewhere in the second half of the first year, it helps to get down on the floor and look at each room from their height.
Some items matter more than others. Furniture anchors, window stops, outlet covers, cabinet locks and baby gates at the stairs address the most common hazards. Corner guards, stove knob covers, door knob covers and a toilet lock are worth adding based on your layout and your child's curiosity. A mesh play yard gives you a safe spot to put a baby down while you cook or shower. Needs shift again as toddlers learn to climb, twist and open things.
By age
- 3 Month Old essentials
- 6 Month Old essentials
- 9 Month Old essentials
- 1 Year Old essentials
- 18 Month Old essentials
- 2 Year Old essentials
- 3-5 Year Old essentials
All safety & babyproofing items
Baby Gate
Pressure or wall-mounted gate for stairs and doorways.
Cabinet & Drawer Locks
Magnetic or adhesive latches for cleaning cupboards and drawers.
Furniture Anchors
Straps that secure dressers, bookshelves and TVs to the wall.
Outlet Covers
Plug-in or sliding covers that keep fingers out of sockets.
Window Stops & Guards
Limiters and guards that keep windows from opening wide.
Playpen (Mesh Play Yard)
Folding mesh play yard for a safe spot to set baby down.
Bath Spout Cover
Soft cover for the tub faucet to cushion bumps.
Corner Guards
Soft bumpers for sharp table and hearth corners.
Door Knob Covers
Covers that stop little hands from opening doors.
Stove Knob Covers
Covers that stop toddlers from turning stove knobs.
Toilet Lock
Latch that keeps the toilet lid closed.
Momblet
Something calm for kids and parents, from the people behind Parentlist. Join the waitlist and we'll tell you when it's ready.
Questions parents ask
- When should I start babyproofing?
- Many families start before their baby is crawling, so everything is in place when mobility arrives. Anchoring furniture and securing windows can be done any time. Getting on your hands and knees in each room helps you spot what a crawler will find.
- Which babyproofing items matter most?
- Anchoring heavy furniture and TVs, guarding windows, covering outlets, locking cabinets with cleaners or medicines, and gating stairs cover the biggest risks in most homes. Everything else depends on your layout and your child.
- How long do I need baby gates?
- Many families keep stair gates until their child can reliably handle stairs and understands the rules, often around age 2 or 3. Take a gate down once your child can climb over it, since at that point it can cause falls.
- Do I need a playpen?
- It isn't required, but a mesh play yard gives you a contained spot to set your baby down for a few minutes. It's also useful when traveling or visiting homes that aren't babyproofed.