A schedule for when to implement different safety measures based on your baby's development. Start basic childproofing by month 4 (before crawling starts), do a full overhaul by month 6, and reassess at 12 and 18 months as your child gains new abilities. The best time to start is before you think you need to.
Related Terms
Adjusting your safety measures as your child grows. A newborn's risks are different from a crawler's, and a toddler who can climb creates new hazards. Childproofing isn't one-and-done. You need to update as your child hits new milestones.
Skills and abilities that most children reach by certain ages, like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. Each milestone creates new safety considerations. Pediatricians track them at well-child visits, and the CDC has a milestone tracker app for parents.
The process of making your home safer by removing or reducing hazards for babies and young children. It's not just about buying products. It's about getting down to your child's eye level and thinking about what they can reach, pull, climb, or stick their fingers in.