Suggestions for Top of Stairs Gate

If it works for your arrangement, putting a gate outside the door is a good idea. I do also have one at the top of the stairs. Not all gates are approved for stair use so you do need to check. You'll need to look at where it would need to attach to determine if a gate will work for you too. The height of the banister and other things can make it so that some gates can't be installed. I have the "Kiddy Guard" which we love. It is approved for steps and installation can be adadpted to fit anywhere. It is a soft gate that locks in place after you close it. While not in use, it retracts back into itself so you aren't tripping over it or needing to bother with it when it's not needed. It does require two hands to use, but isn't too complicated - just enough so to keep little hands from opening/closing themselves. I have seen it at Baby USA and I think we ordered it on "OneStepAhead.com"

Hi J.!
My son is also 18 mos. old and I know that the day is coming soon when we're faced with the same problem. A gate the we used and have had great success with is made by First Years. We bought it at Babies R' Us and it was $50 or so. One side of the gate is attached to the wall by 2 brackets. The other side latches into place in two separate spots and stays put by pressure. My son has yet to figure out how to open it and he enjoys being able to look through the clear plexi-glass windows.
Good Luck!

Hi J....Our daughter is almost 3yo but when she started to need a baby gate at the top of the stairs we looked at ALL the brands. The one that we chose was by Safety 1st. It has a nite lite on it that is a sensor lite...its GREAT...I have to pass the stairs to get her milk and/or use the bathroom at night so it helps everyone! It DOES screw into the wall for safety sake...I didnt trust the pressure ones either!! Best of Luck with your little one! Enjoy the little moments!

I agree with the PP. Putting it in her doorway. We have a gate in our children's doorways. Its so much safer. If your baby gets up she will go to the gate and cry for you.

For the top of the stairs I would definitely get one that screws into the wall, not one that's just up from pressure. If she's trying to climb out of crib she'll most likely try and climb the gate so you want to make sure that it won't fall. Also, I don't know how big of a space you have upstairs, but I actually don't even have my gate at the top of the stairs, I have it in the hallway a little away from the stairs so that way if something did happen and the gate came down it buys me a couple of extra seconds to get the baby before he gets to the stairs.

I would suggest putting a gate in your daughter's doorway, as opposed to just at the top of the stairs. This will help to keep her in her own room rather than roaming around the house throughout the night.

I definitely suggest using one that mounts permanently to the doorframe/wall and has a gate that swings open.