It’s time to baby-proof! Little Buddy is five-and-a-half months old, and he is on the verge of being mobile. He still can’t quite crawl, but he can wiggle his arms and legs enough to spin around and even move forward a little bit. He is also strong enough to reach for something with one arm while still holding his head up with the other.
This week, I learned that he is drawn to cords and outlets like a magnet. You can see the excitement in his eyes when he spies one and tries to go for it, and he has already succeeded in pulling a big cord out of the wall. It’s really quite amazing how strong his arms are and how strong his drive to yank cords is.
Our house is now equipped with little plastic outlet covers, and I ordered a few plastic boxes that fix to the outlet and allow cords to be plugged in but prevent babies from pulling them out or accessing the outlet.
I spent a few hours scouring the internet for baby-proofing ideas and searching for supplies, but I was shocked (no pun intended) to find out that there is very little useful information available, and there are only a few options when it comes to baby-proofing paraphernalia. This is the 21st century. We have self-driving cars and watches with internet access, but we can’t design a few more gadgets to protect babies from electric shock. There’s something wrong with our world.
A while ago, I purchased a sliding outlet cover to try. You slide it open to plug something in, and then when the cord is pulled it, it automatically slides closed. There are several companies that make them, and I chose the one with the best reviews. We’re talking over a thousand really good reviews. But when I read a few reviews on another company’s sliding outlet covers that mentioned the phrase “fire hazard,” that was enough for me to question the safety of the entire concept. The concern is that the sliding mechanism might make the prongs come loose from the plug (but not fall out completely) and cause the plastic on the outlet cover to melt. In a very rare case, it could result in a fire. So there goes that idea.
I am familiar with the tamper resistant outlets that are required in all new houses, and we are considering installing them in our home. But I’m still not sure that I trust them enough to install them and do nothing else to baby-proof our outlets And of course, that still wouldn’t solve the problem of Little Buddy pulling cords out of the wall and chewing on them.
If any of you seasoned parents have baby-proofing tips (both electrical and non-electrical) to share, go ahead and leave them here. I know that other readers would appreciate them, as well.
darlene
oddly enough, my grandson would only go to outlets with something in it! i would just replace whatever was in the outlet with an outlet plug (those little plastic ones) and he left them alone. i think he was more interested in the nightlight, or whatever was plugged in to it, than anything really. since he’s still so young, it might be easier to distract him with something else when he’s eyeing the outlets, just to get him away from it. lol, i justified it as if we all ignore the outlet, so will he. i have never been able to fix the blinds cords the way they explain how to do it so i’ve always taken cords and looped them around the top of the blinds.
to be perfectly honest, from the get go, whenever the kids or grandkids would go for something they shouldn’t, we’ve always verbally and physically redirected them. not yelling or anything, just like, “why dont you let mommy will take that big stick you’re swinging and you can play with this ball instead” . kind of get their minds off what they’re doing and think about something else. there was never really anything of ‘value’ to destroy in our home so it was already ‘kid friendly’. never had to worry about them breaking some figurine or anything like that. just put them out of reach and explained they were to look at, not touch (when they were able to understand of course).
this is such an exciting time for little buddy and he’s all curious about everything around him so he’s going to want to explore, just give him something different to explore and eventually (hopefully) he’ll forget all about the outlets!
anonymous
Thinking back I’d say my first baby boy never had that much liberty at 5.5 months, he was always sort of in the center of the room. I recall exactly the pre-crawl head up stage. It was so exciting and cute. He learned how to stand up holding onto furniture. I have pictures of my Dad helping him take his first steps. I think the focus should be very small and sweet like that. Just don’t let him go to crawl around the floor at the walls. The edges of the room could be like the vauge side areas of an old video game, where the player just can’t seem to ever do much or go into. Then even when he was one I had a mesh sided play pen that was large and he always played in there if I could not hover over him, like when I was at the counter. But he’d be nearby me. It is partly just the parents maintaining the boundaries of the activity.
Lia
Most people use the little plastic plugger things
Benita
It seems I had the problems when my kids could actually walk and run. I can’t remember them crawling, but the toddler phase was nerve wracking.
Anonymous
Don’t leave your baby unattended!!
Anonymous
I don’t think Ellie plans to leave the baby unattended. Babies need the opportunity to explore safely and gain their independence. Babies move super fast and if you’re bending doing to load the dishwasher or cooking etc the baby can be across the room before you know it so it’s prudent that Ellie take the necessary steps for those brief moments.
anonymous
You have to teach the baby the word no and to obey you. My friend who was an adult on her own got a kitten and she said it was just like having a child and trying to train them, because almost everything the kitten did was wrong. If it is definitely wrong then the baby has to learn the word no and mom and dad are to be obeyed. How you do that is to be respected and honored. You are the child’s parents.
Anonymous
I agree that babies need to learn boundaries and the word no however that does not negate the need to baby proof a home. As much as I’m sure Ellie would like to have her eyes on the baby at all times that’s just not possible.
Anonymous
I knew full well what the word no was, but that didn’t stop me from seeing what happened if I stuck a bobby pin in an outlet. I was a little scientist, and nothing was safe.
Anonymous
Yea a 5 month old cant understand no or obey. You have to protect them. Telling someone that they have to teach their 5 month old the meaning of no and to obey is crazy. Until you can reason with achild and they can underatand what you say you j ust have to make sure they dont get into those situations. Thats why you dont baby proof a 10 year old.
Anonymous
Even little baby’s learn to do things when the parents are not looking. At some point baby’s catch on to stuff. So that is one of the approaches o solving the problems of getting into things they should not. Even if it is just the eensy weensy seed of it for a baby.
anonymous
What if one baby hits another baby, would the parent say nothing, until they are big? Saying no is at least spontaneous and natural, normal. It probably should be more structured than that. What are the developmental phases of learning about no?
Anonymous
No im saying on trusting that a baby will obey you as babybprpofing doesnt work since they cant understand the consequences at that age. You can start instilling it but relying on any obedience from a 5 month old is not possible sonce they are incapable that age of understanding it. Once they get older you can teach them. Til then you just have to keep them from doing it.
Anonymous
‘Explores’ and ‘learns’ time to train word no and do not. If the baby pulls your hair and you don’t let him know not to do that he won’t learn not to do that. How to teach a baby no is the big question, as well as baby proofing. One can’t depend on anything as totally ‘baby proof’. Grown ups for pups.
Katy
I always set up a baby park. Once my kids were semi-mobile they would go in the park whilst I worked around them. I always put a quilted blanket on the ground and then lots of toys to keep them occupied. If the phone rings or there’s a knock at the door (or you have to go to the bathroom!) you know baby is safe in their park for thirty seconds. This is the type of thing I am referring to : https://www.amazon.com/Playpen-Mattress-Portable-Toddlers-Anti-Collision/dp/B07JVNQF38
Anonymous
Birth control will baby-proof the home pretty well.
Ellie
I’m sad that this is your outlook on life. Children are a great joy and are worth the work that they require. And rather you have 1 child or 10, you still need to babyproof to keep them safe.
Ellie
Melissa
Perfect response Ellie!! That was an extremely rude/sad comment from anonymous that you definitely didn’t have to post, or respond to. I love how you and Mr.H have fun with and can laugh at some of the negative things you have to read on a day to day basis between all 3 blogs. It’s amazing how immature some people can be. Thank you for taking the time to keep everyone up to date with 3 amazing families through your 3 wonderful blogs!
Marilyn
It’s too bad that some people use this blog to voice their negative views. I only had 1 child & used those plug covers to keep him safe as he was also drawn to plugs.
Jessica
“Happy is the home with little feet.” I have 6 children. My home is filled with an over flow of love, laughter, and happiness. I’m not even talking about the precious moments each day that I get to take part in because I said “no” to birth control, and “yes” to God numbering my family. I’d rather have a child friendly home than an empty home any day.
Regina Shea
My friend told me a quote she heard somewhere but I can’t remember who said it, but it goes something like ” Children are like wildflowers. You can never have too many.”
She’s a mother to 10 sweet children.
Ellie
That’s a great quote, Regina! It’s from Mother Teresa.
Ellie
Lily
Birth control also has many negative side effects that people don’t want to experience. You never know someone’s situation with fertility or health problems, so this is a very rude comment. Not all couples that are child-less are choosing to be, some would love to have children. This is why they say “children are a blessing.” Any caring parent is willing to do anything to protect their baby from getting hurt, including babyproofing.
Anonymous
I’m sorry, but at 1213s comment made me LOL. It might shock everyone reading this blog, but I believe there are people out there that really don’t want children. This commenter is probably one of them. Why are we so quick to condemn them for their feelings. Yes, I have two children, and I love them dearly. However, I don’t like other people’s children until they are 10-12 years of age. Now you can all go ahead and condemn me for my feelings.
Eileen
Like the other comments I see right now, I too used typical safety features to keep cabinets locked, plug in covers, door handle locks etc. Then also redirection, being in the room with them, placing baby in playpen when I couldn’t be. I found playing with them with toys helped as well. What do you play with, what you don’t play with is learned as well. It sounds as though not much has changed. It is a busy time for parents to adapt to the development changes. That adapting just continues for thr next 18 years. You are trying to keep them safe but let them experience and grow from it from now on forward.
Leigh
Get on your hands & knees and crawl around your home. See everything from your baby’s level. You will see things in a completely different perspective and really notice what could be a hazard. Cabinet door locks/ties are great but I suggest temporarily keeping chemicals stored higher (ex. shelves in laundry room) on the off chance you have a mental lapse and forget to secure the lock/latch. If you give medicine, close the lid or push it further away from the edge of the counter bc the child just might grab it and try to drink it b4 you blink…ask me how I know that one & Im a very responsible person who didn’t realize her son could reach that high! Also, keep the toilet lid closed (they make locks for them). Small children are top heavy, if they pull up next to the toilet and peek in, they could easily fall in & drown. Also- as in hockey, if you watch the puck you are way behind the play. Always watch in front of the puck so you are prepared for what is coming…
Elizabeth
We used baby gates installed into the wall that slide or swing. We’ve got two gates that allow our little guy to go in the kitchen, playroom and dining room(open concept).
We have locks on the kitchen drawer and cabinets.
He isn’t allowed often in the other side of the house which is where we have the tv, computers and things plugged into the walls lol. It’s great having one main area that is all safe!
Abagail
Have to use a playpen when you can’t watch them. When you have a second child then you really need the playpen as the older child loses things like jacks that they play with and you don’t want the baby finding it and choking on it.
Lynn W
My advice is for when he’s walking. 1) Always leave the toilet seat closed. Start doing it now if you don’t already. If he doesn’t see it open and the water he won’t be tempted to throw something in it. 2) Get in the habit of never leaving anything near the edge of the table or counter. That way he can’t reach up and grab something. 3) Whenever I had to open the oven I always made them sit down if they were in my sight. I wouldn’t open the door until they did but they listened pretty good. Ellie, you’re doing fine and I’m sure you’ll get a lot of good advice.
PS – baby gates and playpens also come in handy!
Anonymous
Hi Ellie,
I feel like you should baby proof only the most necessary things, but mostly use it as a training ‘tool’. Learning to obey when mommy says ‘no.’ He’s pretty young, but he will still understand. 🙂
Thank you for your blogs! I really enjoy all of them!
~Jane
C. In MN
My tip is to keep it simple and decide what is needed for him as you go along. There might be things you baby proof that end up not being attractive to this guy. With my first we baby proofed everything….right down to padding on sharp corners. He left most of those things alone, and found other ways to explore. What I learned, and what I have done with each child since then, is see where they explore and ask myself “is this a real danger?” “Can I train him/her on this one in a safe manner?” “Will this drive me nuts?”
Examples:
My littlest pulled open the knife drawer one day. That was a deal breaker, I instantly put a draw pull lock on that one.
He also loves to dump canned goods from the lazy Susan…this doesnt pose an immediate threat and I can teach him, so I let it be.
He decided one day to dump out a container of cornmeal (and yes, I was standing right there 😆), that was such a disaster that I put it in a baby proof container.
Trust yourself, your husband, and the Holy Spirit. You know your baby best and will do what is right for your family.
(Oh…and Target and Amazon have just about any “baby-proofing” device you could think of)
Kelly
Oh how I remember those days Ellie!! They are exhausting!! I’m sure your living room layout is different than mine but this is what worked for me. I know this may sound strange but I pushed as much of my furniture against the wall in front of the outlets as possible. I had an electrician install two floor outlets (one under each couch) and my babies couldn’t reach those. I bought solid outlet covers, took off the current outlet cover, and covered as many outlets as I could especially in the baby’s room.
Angelina
I feel like some comments are kind of harsh! You didn’t ask for discipline advice, just baby proofing! Of course you have to teach your children-you’ll be doing that for life-but you can put a plastic plug in the outlet without spoiling their training. Goodness.
The best advice I’ve received on any topic is “listen to everyone’s advice (whether you asked for it or not) and then do what’s best for you and your family.
So…I haven’t solved your outlets-in-use problem, huh? Funny my 4 kiddos weren’t/aren’t attracted to outlets. Of course ours are mostly behind furniture. We use a playpen similar to the one another reader suggested for when I can’t have eyes on baby.
Keep up the good work, Mama, you’ve got this! It’s mostly trial and error I’ve found. (Hopefully the error part isn’t too serious!) Haha
MarriedUK
I wouldn’t go nuts babyproofing. It’s tempting but can be counter-productive (e.g those plastic covers for sockets increase danger and make electrocution more likely and baby gates can be lethal because the day comes when baby can scale them and then fall down the stairs…) Also, you have to think about teaching them how to interact safely with the world because other people’s houses aren’t babyproofed. I also prioritise teaching my kids to climb up and down stairs and move them away from things they might damage/ her hurt on. I have done no babyproofing at all and my three boys are unscathed (I know that’s a bit too extreme for most people). I believe you can teach very small children not to grab at certain things (just by saying no and moving them- I have never hit or even shouted at any of my children). The best protection is keeping them close to you- if you cook, they cook!
Else
Don’t stress about it too much. Watch your child and see what he’s trying to get into, then focus on that. All baby advice you find online (my advice included!) is written for some mythical child that probably doesn’t behave like yours! Each of my kids tried to get into different things so we baby-proofed according to the child. Mostly covers on outlets, gates for the stairs, and locks on some cupboards. Diversion is good – lock most of the kitchen cupboards, but not the ones with tupperware, pots & pans, etc. because then they still get the thrill out of emptying the cupboards but with safe objects! My kids hated being confined in playpens so they mostly had free movement around the house, but I’d use the playpen for short periods if I really needed to turn my back.
Lauren
We have those tamper proof outlets but that didn’t stop me from putting the plastic plugs in.
Now that the little guy is older and able to open doors, we have a security system that chimes when doors are opened. We definitely keep them locked but he has been known to let himself into the garage while I’m taking the garbage out there.
Also secure all furniture to walls so he can’t pull anything over on himself when he starts pulling to stand.
The biggest tip my mother-in-law told me was to crawl around on your stomach in any room where baby is. You will be able to see anything that might interest him. If you even suspect it may be a problem, fix or remove it.
Anonymous
I think a playpen is a great idea if you can’t keep your eye on him fully. Like if you are cooking, doing laundry, etc.
Lily
For your specific situation, I would also suggest the baby play pens that are a big circular gate around baby. Also, I would hide some toys periodically and next time he’s fussy about wanting to head towards chords or outlets, I’d hand him one of those toys that he’s forgotten about. If you look up “sensory projects for baby” you’ll find plenty of ideas to keep him distracted and hopefully away from electrical danger.
Regina Shea
I echo the same advice that you’ve been given. Playpens and baby gates are great to keep baby contained in one area.
We had those regular outlets too and those box covers but we put those on plugs we didn’t use alot. As a matter of fact we had one behind a dresser that was in the nursery, that became a classroom and finally my father-in-law’s room. Well we had forgotten all about it until we were preparing to move after my father-in-law passed and my husband was moving the dresser and there was that outlet, still with the childproof cover. My girls are young adults and couldn’t believe the cover was still there. We just never found a reason to move the dresser. It was very large and it worked fine for use as a school cubby for awhile.
Rachel
We’ve got 4 children ages 4-9 and to be honest we didn’t use tons of baby proofing gadgets. I did these things:
-those little plastic covers in the electrical outlets.
-the plastic cabinet lock (can buy at Walmart) under the kitchen sink because that’s where I keep my cleaning supplies.
-did not use a coffee table for about 8 years because of the sharp edges and babies like to push/pull everything off so I didn’t bother. We finally have one now lol!
-keep the bathroom door closed at all times because little boys like to throw things in the toilet
-I never used a baby gate bc it was too hard for the little ones who weren’t babies to get around and I never had any issues.
-most cords can be pushed behind chairs and couches
Kitty Mom in Aloha Oregon
I know that this isn’t related to babies. We have several talented Kitties at home. We have lever style door handles on our bedroom doors, they learned how to open those doors by pulling the handles down. We installed the door lever locks so now the lever handles can only open by lifting up.
We’ve installed the devices that prevent the kittens from opening drawers and cabinets as well. Past cats were able to open the cabinets & drawers that contained their treats.
Anonymous
Your outlets look exceptionally low. Mine are more than a foot above the baseboard at least. Is that code where you are?
Ellie
That’s interesting. Nope, they are lower. I’ve never really seen them that high anywhere I have lived. Code must be different. But I do think they should be higher.
Regina Shea
We had to “kitty” our kitchen cabinets because our cat, when she was a kitten, learned how to open them. She used to try to turn the knob on the door of the pantry where her treats are stored. Now she just walks to the pantry, stands on her hind legs and begs for treats.
anonymous
Someone should developed prickly backed tape to to things not to go into.
Jennifer
Once he gets older, you will want to anchor large furniture to the walls. Heavy bookcases and dressers look like fun climbing equipment to an interested toddler, but they can be easily pulled down on top of them.