Baby Steps Toward Baby Proofing

I can't be the only new mom out there who is completely overwhelmed by the prospect of baby proofing our home. I don't know if the tininess of our home makes matters better or worse.  Sure, there is less space to worry about, but the space there is is much more densely packed with stuff just waiting to kill or maim my child! Someone with a large house might be able to completely baby proof a couple of rooms, moving dangerous items and power cords to other "off limits" rooms. We don't have that luxury unfortunately.

I've had baby proofing on the back burner for quite some time, but now that Kenzo is officially crawling around I've really got to get on it. I'm considering one of those huge play pens that would take up a majority of my living room, but would keep baby out of reach of the TV and sockets and shelving units and such. But I'm going to wait and see if it becomes really necessary or not.

For now my method is this: Kenzo has 4 "safe zones" where he can be left unattended for a short time: crib, pack 'n play, exersaucer, and high chair. Anytime he is not in a "safe zone", it's man-to-man meaning I don't leave Kenzo's side! When he yanks on the coffee table's table runner and nearly knocks over a glass of water - action - table runner is removed. When he tries to bite the computer's power cord, repeatedly, and when he tries to pull up on the shelving unit, these are added to a list of "to be babyproofed ASAP" items. I try to avoid protecting him from every single bump and bruise. As he's quickly approaching the edge of the table and I'm sure he's gonna bump his head right into it, daddy pipes in as I'm reflexively reaching out to protect little one, "He'll learn." *BUMP* "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" I guess he will learn, but when? I think I've said "Don't Touch!!!" in harsh scary tones a bazillion times and he's not learning yet...

So how about you guys. When did you baby proof and how did you go about doing it without overwhelming yourself and going in circles til your head spun?? Are you a play pen parent or of the let them roam free thought?

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