ParentlistBaby Gate
Pressure or wall-mounted gate for stairs and doorways.
- Priority
- Essential
- Ages
- 6 months-3 years
- Category
- Safety & Babyproofing
When you need it
Gates become important once baby starts crawling, which is often somewhere between 6 and 10 months. They stay useful until around age 3, when kids may learn to climb over or open them, and when they're steadier on stairs with an adult nearby.
What to look for
At the top of stairs, use a hardware-mounted gate screwed into the wall, never a pressure-mounted one, which can be pushed out. Pressure-mounted gates are fine for doorways and the bottom of stairs. Look for a latch you can open one-handed while holding a baby but a toddler can't figure out, and check that the gate meets your country's safety standard. Measure openings carefully and avoid old accordion-style gates with wide gaps.
Baby Gate: common questions
- Do I need a baby gate?
- If you have stairs, yes, a gate is one of the most important babyproofing items. In a single-level home it's still handy for blocking off the kitchen or keeping pets separate, but not always necessary. Some families use a play yard as a safe zone instead.
- When does a baby need a baby gate?
- A baby needs a gate when they start crawling, usually between 6 and 10 months, and before they reach any stairs.
Ages
- 6 Month Old essentials (6-9 months)
- 9 Month Old essentials (9-12 months)
- 1 Year Old essentials (12-18 months)
- 18 Month Old essentials (18-24 months)
- 2 Year Old essentials (2-3 years)
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