Any tips for baby-proofing your home when there's a 3yr age gap?

[Melody7]

My DD is 7 months and has started crawling big time while we're currently away on holidays. My DS is 3.9yrs and, understandably is into playing with many things that are simply not safe for my DD. We are returning home next week and it's dawned on me how many things now exist in my home that are fine for my 3yo but definitely not for my baby (thinking mostly about DS's toys...).

I'm sure there are mums out there that have kids with a similar age gap. *How did/do you manage your home to cater for both developmental ages?*How do you stop your baby choking on your older child's toys?*

Baby-proofing second time around doesn't seem as easy somehow...

[meow]

We are in EXACTLY the same situation! I'm wondering if baby gates may have to happen more this time around, then rules on my eldest keeping certain toys in his room.

[JLeigh29]

I don't have any personal experience, but a friend who has an 8 year gap between children basically said anything not safe for her little one stayed packed away until he was asleep or out of the house, or under direct supervision (ie she's actually playing with him). The eldest also had to play with most 'dangerous' stuff in his room with the door closed and she was a real stickler for him tidying up before he came out. She didn't have baby gates.

[Beach Mama]

We kept super tiny things up high where it was a "special" place for DD but to be honest we realised that we didn't really do much for DS and how much we stressed with DD. He got into a few things and chewed on stuff like trains and cars that we would have had a conniption over with DD but he survived. I think put anything that is a clear choking hazard away, like Lego etc. (obviously) then anything else that is just special and maybe keep them in your son's room.

[Rouge]

We had a "little things" rule. No toys that DS could choke on could come out of her room, and when she played with them he had to be out of her room, and not able to get in. When he was in bed she could bring things out, but if he woke up from a nap she would put them back. It doesn't torture them, and it only lasts a short while. The other thing was that she was able to teach other adults around her about choking hazards. As even adults forget from time to time (or don't realise).

[Melody7]

I just don't know how I'm going to keep DS's chokable toys away from DD adequately without causing major upset to my son - he has toys in several different places in the house (kitchen, playroom & a bed room).

Also, although he sleeps in a bedroom by himself, it's also the room where I change my DD and keep all her clothes etc. It's not "his" room as such. We actually refer to it as the "change room" as he didn't actually sleep in it until he was 2. I wouldn't want him to shut that door. Perhaps a gate? But then he'd need to be able to get in/out...

Has anyone fenced off an area in their house (think baby gate extensions)? What about cooking in the kitchen?

[Beach Mama]

What kind of toys are they? Could you get some special tubs that he can get into himself and set up some special areas for him to play?? We found it hard as well although DD was a bit younger but ended up leaving things like toy cars and trains even though they are technically a choking hazard - even now at nearly 3 he still chews them.

[Frangipani]

My 2 boys were only 20months difference but DS1 still had a lot of toys with smaller parts- particularly his cars (i know they are meant for 3years and up but DS1 has loves his cars and has never been one put things in his mouth). We just kept all smaller things up (we still had/have things we supervise them with) and other stuff in DS1s room. DS2 has also not been one to put things in his mouth (probably helps he usually has a dummy to plug it...lol). I can't recall ever having a problem and my 2 are just over 3years and almost 18months old now.

With the toilet and bathroom- which was one of my main concerns as i figured DS1 would be toilet training when DS2 went on the move- and thats all turned out ok- we keep the doors closed and DS1 can easily open them when need be and knows to close them because of DS2. I guess thats probably been the main thing is to teach DS1 to keep everything up or away otherwise DS2 will touch it- which will means it'll get broken or it'll be 'ouchy' for DS2- DS1 seems have always understood this.

Goodluck.

[Nai]

We had a "little things" rule. No toys that DS could choke on could come out of her room, and when she played with them he had to be out of her room, and not able to get in. When he was in bed she could bring things out, but if he woke up from a nap she would put them back. It doesn't torture them, and it only lasts a short while. The other thing was that she was able to teach other adults around her about choking hazards. As even adults forget from time to time (or don't realise).

We did the same thing. We also had a "special" things rule where they also had to be put away - DD1 learned quickly after DD2 destroyed a few of her 'treasures'.

I think explaining to him that his toys now stay in one area and certain toys only come out when the baby is alseep is good - it's amazing how much they do comprehend. We made sure DD1 knew that these were 'special' things and just for her, that is why they were put out of DD2's reach.

[~Kim~]

We had a baby gate on Darcy's room. Even if it's not 'his room' can you make him a special place that's safe to play with his little toys like that? I also had one on my craft room so if she wanted to do craft then it had to be in there.
She was pretty good about only bringing stuff out if he was asleep. for a while we did have a safety gate across the hallway so the bedrooms/bathroom/laundry were off limits and that worked pretty well.

[Melody7]

Some good ideas, thanks girls! I'm going to think about the gate on the hall/room idea. I may have to stop DD going in the kiddy change room unless supervised as DS's got his Plan City set up there. Unfortunately our door handles are really high, so I'll have to think about what to do re the toilet - DS is toilet trained, but can't open the doors...

[*Efjay*]

I have a two year gap and to be honest, don't stress.
You will just have to teach both kids how to play safe. I don't hide away or lock rooms for play. My kids always put stuff in their mouth but the only thing I have ever had a chocking incident with was a ten cent coin. Kids learn, if you see it in their mouth don't freak. Approach carmly and say ah ah spit it out please. Don't rush over in a panic because that is when they will likely swollow.

[Melody7]

Efjay - thanks for your reassurance. We've just arrived home today and I think we'll see how we go. I'm quite an attentive parent and I've already noticed my 3yo commenting on choking hazards, so I'm sure we'll figure it out :-)

[deletedit]

I don't think its possible. We have a 2.5 year age gap and Miss 3 happily opens the front door to let the baby onto the road, helps him climb into places he shouldn't be, stands on his head, puts him in boxes, buries him under 10 blankets, barricades him in rooms and locks the door, feeds him peanuts etc. There isn't anywhere in the house we can put the small items because Miss 3 can pick most simple locks and stack furniture to get to shelves over 6 feet off the ground.

He's be perfectly safe if she wasn't in the house, honestly.

To date, we have had no choking incidents or injuries. Babies are surprisingly robust.