TTMA Baby Proofing

[mrsdee1982]

DH and I are thinking we need to start baby proofing the house after the holidays.  

UGH!

I don't know why, but the thought of this is so overwhelming to me.  Where the eff do we even start?  How many things of things do we need to buy?  Wouldn't it be easier, quicker and cheaper to just wrap her in bubble wrap and call it a day?  

Who has already baby proofed?  How did you do it?  What did you use?  Want to come do it for me?  I can't pay you in money, but I have an unlimited supply of wine and craft beer (family business yo!).  And I am sure food of some sort could be negotiated into the deal too...

[alayne926]

Like @jemomma , michyme123 , we didn't do a whole lot of babyproofing. We did get a gate that attaches to the wall for our basement steps because DH was really worried about the stairs. We have knobs on the gas stove knobs, but honestly, two of them have broken off, so I don't know what the point is to keeping them on there. As far as the cabinets, we put a latch on the one under the sink where we keep the chemicals, but the rest, we put anything breakable up and moved the knives out of the drawer to a block on the counter.

Edit-we also did outlet covers....cause...electricity is not good for babies...

[mrsdee1982]

@jemomma:

[Widget123]

I am also a minimalist when it comes to this sort of thing. Baby shouldn't be left alone for too long at a time anyway.

1. Outlet covers
2. Gate on basement stairs
3. Kitchen cabinet full of poisonous chemical cleaners locked

That's it for me. I don't even have covers on the stove knobs despite that DD has tried to climb into it a few times.

[mrsdee1982]

So, if all of our outlets are the tamper resistant outlets, do we still need outlet covers?

[Widget123]

Dec 2, 2015 11:59:46 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

So, if all of our outlets are the tamper resistant outlets, do we still need outlet covers?

I still would.  At least for the outlets that are easy to access.

[dmoney]

Our house is pretty baby proof since we had to puppy proof it 3 years ago for the dog and still have to keep a 99.999% of the stuff out of reach. We do have baby gates for the stairs ( got them as handme downs) but probably wont be using them since we spend 99% of the time in the basement. We are getting a "baby jail" (one big play pen) so that when she does start crawling she can play with her toys without the dog trying to eat them. But that is probably all that we will do.

[billyhorrible]

LBB was never interested in outlets, so we never used outlet covers. (Because of that I can almost guarantee BH will be trying to lick the outlets as soon as he is mobile).

We tethered all furniture to the wall (not the couch, but bookshelves, china cabinets, etc.) and got cabinet locks. That's pretty much it.

We had a slate, rectangular coffee table, so we got a Little Tumblers cover for it, which I preferred to ugly corner guards that fall off. But currently we have a round coffee table, so I'm willing to send it to anyone that wants it.

We'll hold off on baby proofing until we see what he actually gets into.

[dmoney]

Dec 2, 2015 13:07:47 GMT -5 Kristykristyleelee said:

Dec 2, 2015 11:32:01 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

@jemomma :

Trivia time! Name the brewery that these taps are from!

Dogfish Head??

[baytosa2013]

Dec 2, 2015 11:02:55 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

DH and I are thinking we need to start baby proofing the house after the holidays.  

UGH!

I don't know why, but the thought of this is so overwhelming to me.  Where the eff do we even start?  How many things of things do we need to buy?  Wouldn't it be easier, quicker and cheaper to just wrap her in bubble wrap and call it a day?  

Who has already baby proofed?  How did you do it?  What did you use?  Want to come do it for me?  I can't pay you in money, but I have an unlimited supply of wine and craft beer (family business yo!).  And I am sure food of some sort could be negotiated into the deal too...

No clue where to start, bubble wrap +1 and wine and craft beer family business...please esplain more to me!!

[baytosa2013]

Dec 2, 2015 11:16:33 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

When we baby proof, we tend to take the easy approach - We really only use outlet covers. I have never used baby gates, but I do understand some people feel more comfortable with them. I think those corner protectors are a waste of money, as well as the door knob covers and cabinet latches.

My kids liked to open my kitchen cabinets as soon as they could reach them. My solution to that was to move all poisonous and sharp objects up higher so they were out of reach. I also designated one of the lower cabinets as "theirs" where I kept some plastic Tupperware they could take out so they felt like they were getting into something, but not really They also could not open doors until they were well over the age of 1, so I wouldn't worry about that just yet.

I think it is okay to wait until your LO is mobile and see what they are interested in. If you have a baby curious about stairs - get a gate. If your LO like to open cabinets, either move the dangerous things up high or get those latches. They aren't going to need everything proofed overnight, it will likely be an ongoing process for you to baby proof as they learn and get curious about different things.

Now, I believe there was mention of free beer and wine???

[Deleted]

Another minimalist here. And with a 9 year old in the home, the reality is I can never fully baby proof. We do outlet covers and will put gates at the top & bottom of the stairs. We'll also put a lock on the laundry room door. And actual lock, not a knob protector. If mobility turns into baby being in DS1's room and getting into too many things we'll let DS1 have a gate by his room as well.
And yep, chemicals just go out of reach and will be replaced by things he can play with, should he choose to open a cabinet, paper goods, boxes of dry goods, napkins & towels, etc.

[mrsdee1982]

baytosa2013 :

Both my DH and my Brother are bar managers for bars that specialize in craft beer and specialty wine. We get a TON of "samples" which is basically multiple suppliers/vendors/brewmasters showing up to their bars 2-3 times a week with cases of bottles for them to take home and try and see if they want to sell them in their bars. We have a standard size fridge in our garage that is FULL of nothing but craft beer bottles and growlers. And then a whole cabinet (floor to ceiling) that is full of small vineyard/small batch wines. It is a pretty awesome perk of their jobs. Helps make up for the wonky schedule, long and late hours.

[mrsdee1982]

And thank you all for the input! It helps a ton!

[mrsdee1982]

Dec 2, 2015 15:15:10 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

Dec 2, 2015 15:07:20 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

baytosa2013 :

Both my DH and my Brother are bar managers for bars that specialize in craft beer and specialty wine. We get a TON of "samples" which is basically multiple suppliers/vendors/brewmasters showing up to their bars 2-3 times a week with cases of bottles for them to take home and try and see if they want to sell them in their bars. We have a standard size fridge in our garage that is FULL of nothing but craft beer bottles and growlers. And then a whole cabinet (floor to ceiling) that is full of small vineyard/small batch wines. It is a pretty awesome perk of their jobs. Helps make up for the wonky schedule, long and late hours.

I want your life.

It was tough when I was pregnant!  Dh got some pretty amazing beers that are hardcore hard to find (like goose island and whatnot), and I could only have a sip.  But now, it's a whole different story!  

[erbear]

Dec 2, 2015 15:07:20 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

baytosa2013 :

Both my DH and my Brother are bar managers for bars that specialize in craft beer and specialty wine. We get a TON of "samples" which is basically multiple suppliers/vendors/brewmasters showing up to their bars 2-3 times a week with cases of bottles for them to take home and try and see if they want to sell them in their bars. We have a standard size fridge in our garage that is FULL of nothing but craft beer bottles and growlers. And then a whole cabinet (floor to ceiling) that is full of small vineyard/small batch wines. It is a pretty awesome perk of their jobs. Helps make up for the wonky schedule, long and late hours.

Let's be friends.

[baytosa2013]

Dec 2, 2015 15:07:20 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

baytosa2013 :

Both my DH and my Brother are bar managers for bars that specialize in craft beer and specialty wine. We get a TON of "samples" which is basically multiple suppliers/vendors/brewmasters showing up to their bars 2-3 times a week with cases of bottles for them to take home and try and see if they want to sell them in their bars. We have a standard size fridge in our garage that is FULL of nothing but craft beer bottles and growlers. And then a whole cabinet (floor to ceiling) that is full of small vineyard/small batch wines. It is a pretty awesome perk of their jobs. Helps make up for the wonky schedule, long and late hours.

ok so party at mrsdee1982 's house!  Those are some pretty sweet perks indeed.  I'd probably never leave the garage

ETA: I 2nd the motion for a "What is mrsdee1982 drinking tonight" thread

[dmoney]

Dec 2, 2015 15:07:20 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

baytosa2013 :

Both my DH and my Brother are bar managers for bars that specialize in craft beer and specialty wine. We get a TON of "samples" which is basically multiple suppliers/vendors/brewmasters showing up to their bars 2-3 times a week with cases of bottles for them to take home and try and see if they want to sell them in their bars. We have a standard size fridge in our garage that is FULL of nothing but craft beer bottles and growlers. And then a whole cabinet (floor to ceiling) that is full of small vineyard/small batch wines. It is a pretty awesome perk of their jobs. Helps make up for the wonky schedule, long and late hours.

If you ever need help drinking those wine bottles... I am sure there are a few of us who would be more then happy to help!

[alayne926]

Dec 2, 2015 16:32:18 GMT -5 Kristykristyleelee said:

Dec 2, 2015 15:45:13 GMT -5 baytosa2013 said:

ok so party at mrsdee1982 's house!  Those are some pretty sweet perks indeed.  I'd probably never leave the garage

ETA: I 2nd the motion for a "What is mrsdee1982 drinking tonight" thread

Count me in as the 3rd vote for this.

A beer fridge and wine rack that are forever stocked with unique finds.  I am not sure if I love you or hate you right now mrsdee1982 . 

so we're all in agreement that there's going to be a J15 GTG at mrsdee1982's house?

[tiffbot]

I'm not even sure why we are even still TTM about anything online to each other anymore, how come we all aren't there?! How have you held this from us for so long?!?!

[mrsdee1982]

Ya'll are welcome anytime! No crab dip though. Allergic to shellfish.

[gilder40]

So what state are you located in mrsdee1982? Attendance is dependent on location lol

[mrsdee1982]

Haha gilder40 . Southern California. Even better! Come and escape the winter blues.

It needs some serious restocking after the Thanksgiving holiday. Tonight I am drinking a Heal the Bay IPA.

[gilder40]

Lol, I live in Louisiana...so we don't get much winter here either!! I'm actually itching for a cold snap. It's been soo hot and muggy lately. Ick.

[kemdupuis]

dmoney you beat me to it! I love dogfish head!

mrsdee1982 I am with you - definitely feeling stressed about baby proofing. Ugh. Not looking forward to it. @jemomma- great suggestions! Especially about the cleaning supplies and having a "kids" cabinet! I love it!

[kemdupuis]

Anyone have any thoughts on how to baby proof a litter box area? Our box is currently in our laundry room, and as much as I would like to relocate it, there really isn't another place for it to be. I would use a baby gate, but one of our cats is elderly/quite far, and I am sure couldn't jump over the gate. I have no idea what I should do- aside from just putting B in a large pen

ETA: large pen is not ideal- I really want him to be able to explore

[erbear]

I did buy a few things - a baby pen, some doorknob covers, some drawer latches, anti-tip straps, outlet covers, edge cushioning for our tv stand, and window blind cord wind ups. I'm debating a toilet lock, but I've heard those don't work well.

[ashbash]

Finding a place for the litter box is seriously a pita

We put it in our trash closet and installed this little cat tunnel

We have cat poop eating dogs so this solution was originally for then but worked great for baby too

[baytosa2013]

Dec 2, 2015 22:54:00 GMT -5 mrsdee1982 said:

Haha gilder40 . Southern California. Even better! Come and escape the winter blues.

It needs some serious restocking after the Thanksgiving holiday. Tonight I am drinking a Heal the Bay IPA.

I will come to So Cal if you promise to say hella for me haha!  I see alot of IPA's in there. Please to have reds, browns or stouts?

[baytosa2013]

Dec 3, 2015 13:41:46 GMT -5 @jemomma said:

baytosa2013 funny story - I used to say "hella" all the time in conversation and when I moved to KS, I would use it and people would look at me like I had 2 heads. No one here had ever heard anyone say it before and they didn't understand the connotation.

yeah people here don't get it and they still call it "Cali" which is like nails on a chalkboard to me for some reason.