Every aisle, website, and Instagram ad insists we must have the newest swing, bassinet, or stroller designed by NASA engineers. The irony? Our baby usually prefers our arms.

Protecting your baby is instinctive. But when “baby-proofing” turns into a home redesign that resembles an NFL training camp, it’s worth asking: are we keeping our child safe, or keeping them from learning? Striking a balance — so your baby gets to explore safely, and you get to live in a house that still feels like a home — is a key to retain sanity.

Every aisle, website, and Instagram ad insists we must have the newest swing, bassinet, or stroller designed by NASA engineers. The irony? Our baby usually prefers our arms.