With the dainty feet and delicate demeanour of a baby calling for protection and care, Valencia Chen, founder of the baby shop Little Bearnie, shares tips and tricks to ensure a safe environment and explains why it is pivotal for children’s growth and milestone development.
Protecting little ones: Ensuring a safe and stimulating environment
A baby’s birth marks a significant moment for parents. These tiny beings — so fragile and delicate — awaken the parents’ instinct to care and protect. Ensuring the baby’s health and wellbeing involves numerous tasks. When they begin to walk, this stage becomes crucial as dangers lurk at their fingertips.
Sharing her views on prioritising safety and comfort in environments for infants, Valencia Chen, founder of the baby shop Little Bearnie, emphasised the importance of creating a safe environment that protects children from potential hazards.
“A secure and comfortable environment promotes a sense of safety, which is essential for healthy physical and emotional development. Infants who feel secure are more likely to explore their surroundings, aiding in learning and brain development,” she said.
Established in 2016, Little Bearnie was inspired to offer anything but the ordinary. To ensure that every product introduced is safe and free from potential hazards in an infant’s environment, Chen often emphasises the importance of parental supervision.
“In addition, maintaining a clean environment reduces exposure to germs, and selecting age-appropriate toys can prevent choking hazards. Parents should regularly inspect the products they use to identify potential hazards and ensure the products are safe before continuing to use them.”
As infants grow, their living space expands too! Therefore, parents are advised to adapt their living spaces to accommodate their infants’ growth while maintaining safety and comfort throughout the various developmental stages.
Elaborating further, Chen explained that in the newborn stage, the living environment should focus on cosy and safe sleeping arrangements, with calming lighting and a comfortable room temperature.
Once babies start to roll, parents are advised to create a padded tummy time zone and keep the floor free of any small objects that the baby could put in their mouth.
“Meanwhile, once babies start to crawl, babyproofing should be intensified to create a hazard-free play area. By continually adapting, you create a space that’s not just safe but also joyful and fun for your little one’s adventures!”
At Little Bearnie, they are known for their cute and unique teethers, as well as their shoes and eating utensils. With every sale, Chen often reminds her customers to regularly clean their products, especially the teethers.
For cleaning, she advises: “Regularly wash silicone toys and feeding items with warm, soapy water. Alternatively, it is also feasible to use non-toxic, child-safe cleaning products on silicone surfaces. It is also advisable to rotate the silicone products to make cleaning easier.”
This tip, Chen added, can ensure a germ-free, hygienic environment while allowing little ones to thrive safely as they enjoy their silicone products.
In sharing the tip, Chen pointed out that a common mistake parents make is compromising an infant’s safety by neglecting regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and toys. Additionally, not washing bedding and stuffed animals frequently, and failing to sanitise feeding utensils, can also pose risks.
Other common mistakes include inadequate ventilation and dust control, which can affect air quality, as well as insufficient childproofing and lack of supervision, she added.
By balancing comfort with independent exploration in a safe, childproofed environment, infants and toddlers can freely explore. Allowing them to thrive in a well-thought-out space can nurture their confidence and foster independence while maintaining a comforting and supportive atmosphere.
In saying this, Chen suggested that parents offer a variety of stimulating toys and activities while ensuring hazardous items are kept out of reach. She also recommended establishing a consistent routine to provide a sense of security, along with comfort and reassurance when needed.
“It is also beneficial to allow infants to attempt tasks on their own and offer guidance without immediate intervention, all under parental supervision.”
Overall, Chen reiterated that creating a safe environment for infants and children can yield significant long-term benefits, enhancing both their physical and emotional growth.
“A secure space allows infants to explore freely, promoting motor skills and curiosity. It also provides a stable foundation for emotional security, which is essential for building trust and confidence in little ones.
“The physical environment plays a crucial role in early development by offering sensory experiences and learning opportunities. A safe and stimulating space supports brain development and helps train problem-solving and social interaction skills in the long run,” said the entrepreneur.
