As parents, we all look forward to the day our baby starts crawling and then walking.  It’s such an exciting time.  But the minute your baby becomes mobile, it’s time to begin the process of baby proofing your home. Baby proofing your home is essential to keeping your baby safe. Be prepared to baby proof the nursery, bathroom, kitchen, stairs, fireplace, and any furniture that could harm your child.  You can even hire a professional child proofer to do the job for you.  After 7 kids, I’ve done a lot of baby proofing as a parent.  Here are a few tips to help you in the process:

Baby Proofing Must Haves:

• Spout cover for the bathtub
• Door stop edges to prevent doors slamming on little fingers
• Corner guards for the coffee table and fireplace
• Toilet seat lid lock
• Outlet cover plugs or sliding switch outlets
• Door knob locks to keep your little one out of off-limit rooms
• Cabinet and door latches
• Baby gates for stairs and areas that are off-limits
• Safety straps/bolts for attaching dressers, bookshelves, and TV’s to the wall.
• Radon, lead & carbon monoxide tests/detectors

Getting Started Baby Proofing:

• Get Your Baby’s Perspective. Get down on your hands and knees and check out the view.  The most effective way to ensure your baby’s safety is to take a baby’s-eye view of your home.
• If it’s Hazardous, Lock it Up. Carefully lock up every potential poison, cleaning products, medicines, vitamins, and knives/sharp items. Use baby gates to limit your child’s access to areas of your home that might contain dangerous items such as a work area.  Carefully dispose of old or outdated meds and watch out for hidden poisons in products.
• Watch Out For “Chokeables.” If you have other children in the house that leave stuff laying around, always keep your eyes open for items your baby could choke on such as small toys, beads, coins, marbles, etc.  If they don’t put it in their mouth, the nose is always the next best thing.
• If It Can Tip, Bolt it Down. Thousands of accidents happen every year in the U.S. from large or heavy bookcases, dressers, and appliances falling on kids.  Bolt whatever you can to the wall. Push items like televisions back from the edge of the furniture they’re on or move them out of reach, and then secure them, too. Keep dresser drawers and cabinet drawers shut.  They make perfect ladders for little ones.
• The All Mighty Safety Gate. The first safety item most parents purchase is the safety gate.  They keep your little one within a designated room, and they block access to dangerous stairways and off-limit rooms (such as the bathroom or kitchen). The best gates are the ones that screw into the wall and have gate doors that open with a lever (never requiring an adult or child to have to climb over it).  And never use pressure gates at the top of stairs as it poses another safety hazard if pushed.
• Check Cords on Blinds and Curtains. The sad truth is a child can become entangled in a looped window cord and strangle themselves in a matter of minutes. Use cordless window coverings wherever possible, and avoid placing your baby’s crib near a window.  If you have curtains with pull cords in your home, either cut off the pull cords or use cord shorteners or wind-ups to keep them out of reach.
• Secure Your Windows & Doors.  April is National Window Safety Month, and reminds us to prevent accidents in the home from windows.  Always open double-hung windows from the top or fit them with locks to prevent small children from opening them. Low windows shouldn’t open more than 4”—window stops are available that can prevent windows from opening more than this. Window screens are not strong enough to prevent falls. To make windows safe, install window stops or window guards, which screw into the side of a window frame, have bars no more than 4 inches apart, and can be adjusted to fit windows of many different sizes. Always keep furniture and beds away from windows.
• The 3 Home Imposters—Lead, Radon & Carbon Monoxide. Well before your baby is even born, consider having these tests done in your home. Lead, radon and carbon monoxide each silently and severely affect the health of not only your baby, but the rest of your family, too.  Simple home tests can be purchased at your local home improvement store that can check for radon levels.  Once results are available, you’ll know whether your radon level requires mitigation.  A carbon monoxide detector is a simple detector, much like a fire detector, that plugs into an outlet and remains there—one on every level of your home is recommended.  Call a state certified assessor or inspector to have your lead levels checked in homes built before 1978.
• The Scoop on Emergency Numbers.  Always keep important emergency phone numbers near your phone or placed somewhere visible, like attached to your refrigerator.  Have every number listed including emergency, poison control, pediatrician, etc.

Baby proofing your home is an important job for the safety and well-being of your child, but keep in mind the best device is your supervision.  And remember, as your baby grows, baby proofing will have to be re-evaluated a few times over.

Be safe and happy parenting!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents. Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddy & Co., delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the Daily Daddy Blog which covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Baby Proofing 101 appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Believe it or not, when you’re a new parent, your driving habits will change if you’re not careful.  All of a sudden you’ll have a beautiful bundle of joy in the backseat when you’re out and about running errands and while sometimes baby may be napping, other times it will be wide awake and demanding your attention.  And when babies become toddlers and school age children, you’ll find yourself not always remembering how you got from A to Z due to the backseat distractions.  Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re driving with your precious cargo:

Driving Distractions

As a new parent, you’re going to be tempted to try to tend to your crying baby from the front.  Baby may have lost its pacifier, is cold/hot, hungry, tired etc., but for his/her as well as your own safety, resist the urge to reach back and try to find the pacifier or comfort baby.  Before you know it, you’ll find yourself swerving or worse.  Pull over at the next exit and tend to your baby without endangering your family or others.

Multitasking

Parents tend to take multi tasking to the extreme when behind the wheel.  They’re breaking up arguments between the kids, opening snacks and juices, handing back kleenex, looking up directions, making doctor appointments on their cell phones, and so much more.  Keep in mind that when you are behind the wheel you should focus on driving and driving only.  All the other stuff can and should wait.  

Tired Mom

A few suggestions for tired moms or dads behind the wheel.  If you’re feeling exhausted and your eyes are starting to close, open the window, turn down the heat, chew a piece of peppermint gum.  The fresh air, the mint scent and the activity of chewing wakes you up.  You might also want to pick up a cup of caffeinated coffee, tea or bottle of soda.

Is It Ok To Use Your Cell Phone?

When your child is in the car, cell phones should not be in use, even hands free.  Even the sheer act of talking on the phone distracts you from driving as your mind will be focused on the topic of conversation.  If a phone call is imperative/urgent, pull over to a safe spot and have the conversation there.

Making Sure You Do Not Leave Your Child In The Car

A parent’s worst nightmare!  A few ways to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.  Add a safety check into your car exiting routine; meaning when you leave the car, always check the back seat by opening one of the back doors.  Once you do it a few times, your mind will be programmed to automatically do it.  Another option is to put your purse, handbag, cell phone or wallet in the back next to your baby.  We’re used to grabbing those as we exit so it forces us to check the back seat.  

Just remember, keep your eyes and attention on the road.  Happy, safe driving!

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post How To Be A Safe Driver As A New Parent appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

If you are nearing your wife’s due date you will absolutely want to be prepared and ready to go at a moment’s notice. There are certain items that all daddies need to bring to the hospital on delivery day. Keep in mind that Mother Nature does not always consider your plans. You should have a backpack ready to go, so you can get up and get moving – no matter when Baby decides to arrive.

The bag you pack for the hospital will be your toolbox for the incredible and unpredictable delivery of your baby.

You never know how long it is going to take. All women are different, and just because you’ve heard stories about a few moms squeezing their babies out before daddy can even put his scrubs on does not mean this will be your experience. Use the following list to create your perfect “Daddy Go Bag”.

1.  Bag – First and foremost you’ll need to obtain a bag.  Make sure the bag can be dedicated solely to the birth of your child, so it can sit by the door or in the trunk of your car and be ready to go; the bag should NOT have a dual purpose at this time.

2.  Reading material – Get your Kindle loaded with a new book to read, or pick up a paperback from your local bookstore that you would like to read and pack it away in your Daddy Go Bag.

3.  Music – An iPod, or similar music device is essential, and a portable speaker system is even better in case your wife wants to listen to music.  There are travel size speaker systems that work very well.   Also pack headphones in case mommy does not want to listen music at the same time you do.

4.  Toiletries – Don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste! Of equal importance are deodorant, a shave kit, personal shampoo and conditioner, face wash, contacts, solution, etc.

5.  Medications – If you take medication on a daily basis don’t leave this at home! I also suggest Advil or Tylenol for any aches, pains or headaches you may get from sleeping on that impossibly hard and uncomfortable hospital chair all night long.  Throat lozenges are good, as the hospital air can be dry, and you do not want to get sick.  I also suggest packing a bottle of personal hand sanitizer; there are machines all over the hospital, but it is always nice to have your own bottle to use whenever you want to or need to.  Chapstick will also help combat the dry hospital in the air so pack a tube or two.

6.  Nutrition – Pack plenty of water and snacks. Protein bars, nuts, cookies and fruit are always great go-to snack foods that you’ll be glad you have accessible when hunger strikes.

7.  Money – You’ll need change for parking, change for vending machines, possibly a Starbucks card as well as about $20 extra for that emergency run to the hospital cafeteria. Make sure you’re prepared for anything!

8.  Clothing – I highly recommend packing a set of DaddyScrubs for the big moment.  They are doctor inspired scrubs that are super comfortable for the new dad to wear throughout the entire hospital stay – from Labor to Delivery to Post Partum.  Pack a few extra t-shirts, socks and underwear, too. And take my advice on this one and pack a hat; you might not get a chance to shower and a hat will at least hide your crazy hair.

9.  For Her – Although she will pack her own hospital bag there are a few things you can pack in your bag for your wife that may come in handy. Preselect and sign a Hallmark Card to give to her after Baby arrives. Additionally, I suggest a “push gift,” which is a special something (necklace, earrings, bracelet, etc.) that you give to your wife once Baby arrives to share in the excitement and give her something extra to remember the day by.

10.  Most Important – Bring your “A-game”; be alert, awake, attentive, and ready to help and support your wife wherever and however you’re needed.  Remember, she is having the baby and you are there to help.  So bottom line: do not complain about being tired or hungry or express your reluctance to sleep on a chair. She is having a baby – cater to her every need!

Good luck guys – and welcome to fatherhood.

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents.  Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Packing the Daddy Go Bag appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.