Before the baby arrives, assess your home to see what safety products you might need or simply test to make sure they’re working. I was so thankful when my husband took on this project to make our apartment more prepared for baby. He was also responsible for researching most of the baby techy products, as I just didn’t feel inspired to take on so much research in my pregnant state. He, fortunately, is a technophile and was happy to do so!
Currently we aren’t at that stage yet where we’ve had to start baby-proofing our apartment for crawling, but when that time comes, I’ll let you know what steps we took to do so. In the meantime, here is a nice childproofing checklist by age to reference from newborn to a mobile child.
What Safety Products Do I need Before Baby Arrives?
Smoke & CO2 Detectors
Start by testing all your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure there are detectors on all floors of your home, and in all sleeping areas. If you are in need of an upgrade like we were, consider getting a combined smoke and CO2 alarm.
We absolutely love the Nest Protect Smoke and CO Alarm it is wifi enabled, and connects with the Nest app on our phone. If there is smoke or CO2 detected in your home, even while you are away, you will be notified. Also from the app, you can check on each detector’s status and history. We purchased the 3 pack, but you can buy them individually.
What I like about this alarm is that there is a voice that says “There is smoke in the (hallway), the alarm may sound.” This warning gives you some time so you can clear any smoke before the alarm sounds. In a small apartment it is pretty easy to trigger the smoke alarm by trying to get that nice sear on the steak, but in the process of cooking, I definitely wouldn’t want to wake the baby! Check out a list of what you’ll see and hear with the Nest Protect.
During pregnancy, my multiple nightly bathrooms trips were accompanied by a subtle glow. The Nest Protect Pathlight feature senses motion in the dark and will automatically provide just the right amount of light to see. Post-pregnancy, this also has come in handy with the multiple nightly feedings. I don’t need to use any additional lights, there is just enough for my to find my nursing chair and also get back into bed.
And while we are on the topic, make sure that all family members know where the fire extinguishers are located in your home. It is best practice to check the pressure gauge monthly. “If the needle is in the green area, it’s functional.” Our landlord maintains them for each apartment so it was one less thing for us to worry about, but make sure that this is actually the case for you too if applicable. Otherwise, there should be one on each floor, by the kitchen (but far enough away from the stove/oven), the garage, and places with heat sources or electrical loads such as fireplaces, laundry rooms, BBQs, and offices. Here is a short article to catch up on this topic. Also, pay attention to where the extinguishers are when in other’s homes and places you are traveling to.
Similarly, it’s never a bad idea to have a stash of flashlights around the house, car, and even in the stroller. I like these mini guys that come with batteries. I have one in each room, and at each of our bedsides.
What is the best baby monitor to buy?
We have some friends that had a fancy baby monitor setup in their two story condo. What they didn’t realize was that their wifi went out, which also meant their monitors became disconnected without warning. Their baby had been crying for quite some time, 😥poor little guy. For us, when considering baby monitors, my husband took to the internet. He wanted to find both a high tech and low tech solution. If you want to get deeper into some baby monitor comparisons here’s a link to a Babylist article on Best Baby Video Monitors.
Monitors & Cameras
Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor with Interchangeable Optical Lens: This baby monitor is a very basic and straightforward model. It’s easy to use and travels well to the grandparent’s. There is no need to hook up to wifi, and no app to download. It’s actually nice not having to open up your phone every single time you want to check on the little one. At night, the video is black and white with good quality contrast, and during the day it will automatically convert to color. So far we’ve just used the one. Perhaps the downside to this model, is that sometimes the signal drops out – and I’m not always sure why, but it is infrequent enough that I would still recommend this model. But if the signal does happen to drop out, it will *beep* letting you know. Like all cameras, you’ll need to position it in a location that all cords are at least 3 feet away from the crib, and that can see your babe where the angles aren’t maxed out. The best solution for this would be adding a little mounting screw so the camera can have a larger range of motion if need be. There is also the option to add on additional cameras if you’d like.
Our high-tech solution is the Nest Cam. Although small, we have two of these in our apartment. We use them as more of a nanny cam and security camera. The Nest Cam hooks up to either the Nest app, Amazon Alexa app or the Google Home app, whichever integration you prefer. There are a few options where you can subscribe to a monthly event-based monitoring or continuous monitoring if you so wish, otherwise just use as a real-time monitoring (it has a built in 3-hour event snapshot) and setup motion-detection alerts. Since we purchased the system Google has come out with a newer model of cams called the Nest IQ, compare the Nest cam models here.
How we used the Nest cam: When we had our night nurse during the first few weeks after birth, it gave us peace of mind that we could easily peek in on her and the baby from our bed. After all, to get more rest was the main goal of hiring the night nurse in the first place. There are also times when I like to use the 2-Way Talk feature where I don’t have to yell across the apartment to get hubby’s attention, especially when I’m nursing the baby to sleep. The app will detect when you are home or away and will turn on or off any alerts as necessary.
All this being said, based on your baby’s age, you will begin to trust your baby’s cries and cues. If your baby is safely in their bassinet, swaddled and within earshot, for example, there can be a sense of freedom that comes with not using the monitor at every moment.
Mama & Baby Preparedness
Mommy Safety
A shower mat – This may seem insignificant, but it’s really for your own safety. You’ll feel more secure getting in and out of the bath as your belly starts to grow. Many women experience clumsiness or just swollen feet, and a belly that would throw any human off balance at times. It’s best not to take the risk. Getting a shower mat is an easy win, and can really make all the difference. We got one off of Amazon that we tended to like, however, found it difficult to clean – or maybe we just didn’t clean it as much as we should have from the beginning, 🙋🏻guilty! Luckily, you can throw it into the washing machine. It also was great in the shower after the baby was born, so the baby bath chair didn’t slide around the tub.
While we are on the topic: a bonus item that I found useful was a shower brush, it was just a much easier way to reach my feet and legs when the belly was just getting in the way. I liked this one from MUJI.
Baby Preparedness
Finally, there are two additional major safety items you must be prepared for before bringing home baby. Where your baby sleeps and how your baby is transported.
You can also find a quick baby safety checklist here from safekids.org.
Install Your Baby’s Car Seat
There is a discharge process and they will not let you go home from the hospital without having a proper car seat for your baby. You will most likely learn this on your hospital tour. If it is a good facility, they will hover over you to make sure that the baby is buckled safely into a car seat before they even let you leave your room. That being said, practice at home strapping a stuffed animal into the seat so you know how to tighten and release the straps. They may also inspect your vehicle to make sure the car seat base is there or that you are buckling the car seat with the seatbelt properly. However, remember that the nurses and doctors in the hospital are not liable for the safe buckling of your baby. You alone are responsible for the safety of your baby, you should be well versed in safely using your car seat and should not solely rely on any one else’s help.
3 out of 4 car seats are being used incorrectly
saferide4kids.com
According to saferide4kids.com, “Statistics in the U.S. say 3 out of 4 car seats are being used incorrectly. That can range from minor misuse to a misuse that can cause serious or fatal injury in a crash.” This data is staggering, read and watch their baby safety video HERE.
So, long before baby arrives, make sure to attach the car seat base in your vehicle and follow the instructions carefully. Watch the manufacturer’s instructional videos as well. Whether or not your car seat requires a base, make sure that both you and your partner practice installing your car seat several times to make sure everything seems to be in working order. On the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat base, for example, there are a few green indicators to make sure that the base is perfectly level. Also, be aware that if you are installing this carseat base while parked on a hill, like where we live in San Francisco, this might throw off your calibration – park in the flats during the installation. Just for reference, I had to use my full body weight and really press the base down hard into the seat cushion to get a secure and leveled install, so keep that in mind. The good news is that once you have it installed correctly there is rarely a time when you will need to really mess with the base and the car seat itself will click in and out of it easily.
Your Baby’s Bassinet
Last up, the biggest one of all! Your baby’s bassinet. Since your baby will be most likely be wrapped up in a swaddle, a firm baby mattress and properly fitted crib sheet is all you need for your baby’s bassinet. Remove all other hazards such as blankets, toys, and pillows; and place the bassinet away from cables, cords and small objects. Take classes and learn about all the best safety guidelines, such as Back is Best. Here are the CDC’s guidelines for Safe Sleep for Babies.
Personally, our baby slept in a bassinet squared – which was a bassinet inside of a bassinet. Let me explain, we got a beautiful old hand-me-down bassinet or mini crib which was far too large for our baby at first. So, we ended up using the UPPAbaby bassinet that came with the stroller, and placed it inside the larger bassinet which kept it up off the ground like a bassinet stand. I never intended for this to be his bed at first, but he was such a small little 6 lb. 4 oz. peanut that we knew he would be safe all swaddled up on the firm surface of the stroller’s bassinet. It actually was very convenient and easy to move him, take a walk with him in it and use it at the Grandparent’s home. He slept in that thing until his toes and head were at the very limits of it’s confines. We then moved him to the larger heirloom mini crib, and soon we will need to settle on a real crib. Stay tuned for that!
Did you know that in Finland, the government provides baby starter kits? They have been doing this since the 1930s. These kits consist of a cardboard box filled with some baby clothing with sizing up to 12 months, inner and outerwear, a baby care kit, bedding, and cold weather accessories (it gets really cold in the Nordics.) But what I found to be the most interesting part about the kit was that the cardboard box itself actually serves as the baby’s first bassinet. While I am not suggesting that using a cardboard box is necessarily the way to go, the intention of providing these kits to the new parents was to discourage bed sharing and to lower infant mortality rates. However, I did find a company in the US called Finnbin that does use the Finnish model to create similar baby bundles. Perhaps a great baby shower gift!
You’re doing all the right things!
Regardless of what kind of what brand of crib or car seat you decide on, make sure that you are following the safety guidelines as I mentioned earlier. You can easily do your part ahead of baby’s arrival by getting smoke & CO2 detectors installed, having flashlights and fire extinguishers accessible, and finding baby monitor(s) that suit your home. How I’m making your life easier? I’ve created a FREE checklist for you to download and not-so-subtly leave as a honey-do list. Now all you have to do is supervise and pick your feet up because you’re growing a baby!
Download your FREE PDF "Honey-do" Baby Safety Checklist here.
I have also put together an Amazon list where you can find the items that I mentioned in this post.
I’m so proud of you for reading this and doing all the right things to get baby-prepped.
-Jess
