How to arrange your home living space to give your infant a safe play environment

Set up your living space so your baby has a safe play environment.

Whether you live in a basement or a McMansion, AuntSue has some tips on "child-proofing" your house and at the same time creating a fun, safe and easy-to clean play area for your child.

Babies spend alot of time on the floor. Hardwood floors with a few throw carpets is ideal, easy to clean and sanitize. If you have carpets Aunt Sue suggests some type of plastic floor mat around the high chair. If you have hardwood floors remember that toddlers require slippers/socks in the winter/spring/fall.

Buy a mattress cover for your bed. This is a good hygiene strategy; it's certain that you will be spending lots of time sleeping and nursing baby in bed. If there is an accident it's easier to clean the mattress pad than replace your bed.

Clean out your bottom cupboards. It's just as easy to make sure there is nothing IN the bottom cupboards that could harm baby than buying special latches to secure them. Better to spend the money installing shelves ABOVE 5 feet high. Simply make sure there are no chemicals, nothing sharp or breakable and it's reasonably clean on the inside. At a certain age kids LOVE going in the cupboards, especially if you spend alot of time in the kitchen. Best be prepared and make it a safe and reasonably clean adventure.

Babies spend alot of time looking at the ceiling. They are often laying on their back, on the floor or in a playpen. If you have the time or inclination hang some colorful decorations from the light fixtures, on hooks and and in the corners. Baby will constantly surprise you by pointing out things UP THERE in the store and malls. Adults are so used to looking straight ahead we seldom take the time to look up.

Use your furniture as building blocks. Taking care of a baby requires alot of cleaning, constant supervision and vigilance. Child-proofing your whole home is not practical, it's best to "block off" a portion of your living environment that is completely "child friendly" for the first 12 months. This is probably the living and dining room, with the kitchen/bath/bedrooms literally blocked off from this area by furniture. Blocking off baby's exit from this safe area assures you of good sight lines and a clearly defined play and clean-up area. It has also saved many an electronic device from death by sticky fingers. At least until they can climb over the couch... but that's another story....

BEFORE BABY		AFTER BABY - 2-12 MONTHS

The areas in red could be considered "dangerous" for baby. The kitchen and bathroom are obvious, but your electronic equipment is another thing. Note that the computer desk has been turned around, forming a barrier, with the chair on the inside. We suggest putting the hard drive, printer, etc. on top of the desk, out of harm's way.
The area's in yellow are not dangerous, but areas to keep an eye on. At the entrance to your dwelling there may be garbage, dirty boots and the chance that they may leave your dwelling unexpectedly. In hallways there is the chance that they are out of your line of sight or someone exits another room suddenly. In the master bedroom you may have the iron, cosmetics, and some other things that could be harmful to baby.
The areas in green would then be considered "safe", with good lines of sight and clearly defined play/clean-up area.

Don't forget about the music !!! Have a portable radio/CD nearby. Give yourself a break from TV and pop in a "kids" CD or the Classical music station to change the mood.