A baby who has learned to move on hands and knees, usually between 6 and 10 months. Once babies start crawling, everything changes. They can reach outlets, pull on tablecloths, find small objects on the floor, and get to stairs. This is the time to get serious about childproofing.
Example: When your baby starts crawling, get on your hands and knees to see the room from their perspective.
Related Terms
A baby who pulls up on furniture and walks along it while holding on, usually between 8 and 12 months. Cruisers can reach tabletops, pull things down, and tip over unstable furniture. This stage demands anchored furniture and cleared surfaces.
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.
A plastic cap or plate that prevents children from inserting objects into electrical outlets. Simple plug-in caps are cheap but can become choking hazards if a toddler pulls them out. Sliding plate covers that automatically close when not in use are a better bet.
A barrier installed in doorways or at the top/bottom of stairs to keep babies and toddlers from entering unsafe areas. Hardware-mounted gates screw into the wall and are the only safe option for the top of stairs. Pressure-mounted gates work for doorways and the bottom of stairs.