Your baby is curious about everything around her. She

explores in every way her skills allow, as she learns

about the world around her.

Your baby begins to understand words and phrases. She responds to her name and waves good-bye. She responds to short requests, like bringing a toy to you when you ask for it. She is in constant motion and follows you everywhere you go.

Creating a safe environment

Question #1 How do I know my baby’s highchair is safe?

INFORMATION

When selecting a highchair, choose a chair with sturdy construction that includes a broad base so the chair can’t tip over. Make sure the strap that holds your baby in the seat is secure. Always fasten your baby in his chair. Ensure the strap goes around your baby’s waist and between his legs. This type of restraint prevents your baby from sliding down, and out, of the chair. Without a proper strap, babies at this age can slip out of their highchair feet first by stiffening their bodies and arching their backs. Always buckle your child into the highchair.

Action Steps

Check your highchair to be sure your baby will be safe when she’s sitting in it. If you’re using a highchair at a restaurant, or in someone else’s home, check the seat for stability and safety before putting your baby in it.

During the 8th Month

2

Question #2 What steps can I take to make sure my home is safe for my baby?

Take a tour of your home from the vantage point of your eight-month-old baby. Get down on all fours. Imagine that everything you see is new and interesting, meant to be poked, grabbed, handled, mouthed and chewed. You have no sense of danger. You do not understand the connection between your own actions and possible consequences. When you pull yourself to stand at a small table, you don’t know it can fall on top of you. You have no idea that soup in a bowl or coffee in a cup is hot, or that an electrical outlet is dangerous. As you tour your home with this new awareness, note all the things you can do to “baby proof” your home so your baby is safe as she explores. Make any necessary changes as soon as you can. It’s fun to watch your baby explore when you feel confident you have created a safe environment.

INFORMATION

The following suggestions apply to all rooms in your home:

1. Buy safety covers for all electric wall outlets.

2. Put rubber mats under area rugs so they cannot slide out from underfoot.

3. Place safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs. Keep stairways well lit.

4. Keep doors that lead to non-baby proofed areas locked or gated.

5. Keep all medicine in containers with childproof caps. Store medicine safely out of reach, ideally in a locked cabinet.

6. Keep small objects that can be swallowed or choked on (e.g. buttons. pins, coins, etc.) out of reach.

7. Keep windows locked or barred.

8. Make sure houseplants are not poisonous and do not pose a choking hazard.

Action Steps

Walk around your home and baby proof any danger zones you encounter. Also, check homes where your child will spend time (baby sitter, grandparent etc).

Question #3 How safe is your kitchen?

INFORMATION

The following suggestions will help you baby proof your kitchen:

1. When cooking, make sure handles on pots and pans do not extend over the stove where your baby can grab them.

3 2. Use the back burners for cooking when your baby is present.

3. Don’t keep anything on counter tops within reach of your baby.

4. Keep your baby’s highchair away from the stove, counter tops and baseboard heaters.

5. Keep appliance cords away from your baby.

6. Keep sharp objects like knives and scissors out of reach.

7. Do not leave your baby unsupervised near a table with a tablecloth. Your baby can pull a tablecloth off, dumping glassware or hot food down on himself.

8. Move bleach, cleaning agents and detergents to a high shelf or a locked cabinet.

9. Move kitchen poisons out of reach to a high shelf or a locked cabinet.

Action Steps

1. Using the above suggestions, look carefully at your kitchen to ensure it is a safe place for your baby.

2. Give your baby a drawer or cabinet of her own. Fill it with things that are safe for her to play with, such as rolling pins, pots and lids, measuring cups, etc.

Question #4 How safe is your living room?

INFORMATION

The following suggestions will help you baby proof your living room:

1. Remove knickknacks and other objects small enough to swallow.

2. Keep lamp cords out of reach. Tape them to the underside of tables and down the backside of table legs.

3. Remove heavy or sharp objects from coffee tables.

4. Be sure antique furniture has been painted with lead-free paint.

5. Keep cigarettes, matches and lighters out of your baby’s reach.

6. Keep household plants out of your baby’s reach.

Action Steps

1. Look at your living room carefully and baby proof, as needed.

2. Keep a basket full of toys that are safe for your baby to play with in your living room. Change the toys regularly to keep your baby interested.

4 Question #5

How safe is your bathroom?

INFORMATION

The following suggestions will help you baby proof your bathroom:

1. Keep medication, soaps and sprays out of your baby’s reach. Medicine should be stored in containers with childproof caps in a locked medicine cabinet.

2. Keep razor blades out of reach.

3. Never leave your baby unattended in the bathtub, even for a few seconds.

4. Store bathroom poisons up high, rather than under the sink.

Action Steps

Use the above suggestions to make your bathroom a safe place for your baby.

Question #6 How safe is your baby’s room?

INFORMATION

The following suggestions will help you baby proof your baby’s room:

1. Do not smoke in your baby’s room.

2. Use only lead-free paint for walls and furniture.

3. Keep the crib away from windows, heaters and dangling cords.

4. Keep crib sides locked in the up position. Check your baby’s mattress every few weeks to ensure it is low enough to keep your baby in the crib.

5. Periodically check your baby’s toys, making sure they are in good condition and age appropriate.

Action Steps

1. Check your baby’s room carefully to be sure it’s a safe place for her.

2. Have a basket or toy shelf where he can get his own toys out to play with when he’s in his room.

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First Born New Mexico (7–9) updated 2019 Copyright ©2019, First Born program. firstbornprogram.org All Rights Reserved.