Safety gate problem

[tigwig]

Right, I have a 9mth old very adventurous little boy and already have a stairgates fitted on all stairs (I live in a 3 storey house). So here's my problem, on the bottom floor, the bannister finishes on the 2nd step up so he just climbs onto the bottom step, stands up at the gate and leans back not giving a hoot about the fact that if he lets go he will fall backwards down the step and really hurt himself! Does anyone have any ideas on whether there is anything that can be fitted to prevent him from doing this? I do obviously supervise him but there is always times when I can't watch him and being a childminder I cannot keep my eyes on him all the time. He is very determined and just goes back to do it again when moved. (not quite got the jist of the word no!)

[sherrardk]

HI Tigwig - he'll soon get bored of it and even if he did fall it would be just the same as tripping over a toy. You can't watch them all the time (very unrealistic - mine are not allowed in the kitched so how could I cook a meal and watch them?). From other questions and answers I have seen you post you sound like a very caring mother and competent (hope that doesn't sound patronising) childminder. I'd let you look after my children.

[AlBags]

Yeah .. One of those round mesh playpen thingies.

[zzxxee]

Tigwig if you read an earlier comment i did actually appologise and said i had read the contents of your post to quickly, yes i have children of 13 and 19.
When they were small if i had to leave the room to go the toilet or whatever they were put in a playpen, not left to crawl around to get into danger.
I have not suggested you are a bad mother just that you need more saftey measures thats all.

[tigwig]

zzxxee you apologised for saying my baby had already hurt himself...... not all the other hurtful things. As I am graded an outstanding childminder and my house is regularly vetted by Ofsted as clearly safe for children I don't think it's fair to say I let my baby crawl round getting into danger as the bottom of the steps is the only issue I have with safety and yes this could be a big safety issue hence the reason I am trying to solve it. I don't actually like the idea of playpens as it would make me feel like I was locking baby up! I can't fit one in the room anyway as there is so many toys. I do have a walker that I can use if necessary though to contain him.
Anyway I do not wish to disagree over this any more, you have your opinion on me, it's wrong and I never asked for opinions only advice re the stairgate. It's up to you what you think but you have come across as very judgemental.
Sherrard thank you for your comments, that means alot and the parents of the other children I look after agree with you!

[zzxxee]

tigwig i have not once commented on your ability as a childminder, and im sorry but i would rather put my child in the saftey of a play pen even if it seems like a prison as you say than potentially let him hurt himself.
I also suggested extending your banister you said you didnt know how and it would be messy call a carpenter they are the best people

[tigwig]

"how would you feel if you payed for your baby to be looked after in a safe environment and it ended up with a lump on the head?"

[bednobs]

Hi tw i have 2 suggestions - 1) let him fall over and hurt hiimself - perhaps a small knock will prevent him doing it again?
2) depending on the configuration of the stairs, either put something onto the 1st step so he cant climb onto it (anything will do) or put a sheet of cardboard round the bars of the gate, so there is nothing for him to hold on to.
i have a sheet of plywood sometimes at the bottom of my stairs to prevent the dogs going up, but i'm not sure this would help as my dogs are a bit stupid and don't have opposable thumbs, whereas your son does!

[zzxxee]

Tig wig that comment was posted when i thought i read your baby had fallen.
When it was pointed out i quickly appologised, i have given advice as have others about a play pen you dont want to do that, i have said about extending your banister to fit the stairgate at the bottom of the stairs you said it would be messy so i have suggested getting in a carpenter.
There are only so many times i can appologise, but not once have i said you are crap at your job or a bad mother
you have been given some advice its up to you how you rectify your problem all the best zzxxee

[mollykins]

Sherrard, just one point, it depends on what the floor is covered in, at the bottom of those stairs. Soft carpet wouldn't be too bad but if it's tiles then that could lead to serious injuries if he falls.

[tigwig]

ok zzxxee lets leave it there shall we? I accept your apology and don't want to get into a slanging match, honestly :)
Bednobs good idea about covering the gate with something, will look into doing that as it is the bars he holds onto. Don't know if I could let him fall on purpose! See what you are saying but I would never forgive myself if he realy did hurt himself, even though he is a little monkey!!

[zzxxee]

ok tigwig x

[carmalee]

sorry - haven't trawled through the answers but do have experiece of coping with young children in a challenging environment - my two were brought up in the middle of the bush with scorpions, snakes, lions and other nasties -if there is a problem -sort it or keep an eye out when you can't.

[alavahalf]

Having spent two years doing nothing but fitting stairgates for the local council, this was quite a common problem ... nothing to fasten the gate to, as the bannister post was on the first or second step.
When I was fitting them a lot of issues had to be overcome on a 'fit it whatever basis'.
The way I got over your problem was to fit the gate to the wall on one side and to the bannister post on the other.
Ply panels were then cut to size and secured to the front of the gate rails and frame using cable ties, fitted through holes drilled in the ply at appropriate points.
The ply edgees were sanded and sealed with quick dying varnish.
It wont stop the child from climbing the steps, but if they have no bars to get hold of they are less likely to mess around on the stairs.

[nellypope]

I have exactly the same problem, my daughter did fall a couple of times, but very quickly she got the hang of not falling (I think their motor and balancing skills advance very quickly) I used to put loads of big floor cushions or pillows down there as well.

[jovian]

Hi tigwig, have a look at these stairgates which don't rely on banister rails but fix directly to the walls each side of the stairs. Click on link below. Ron.

http://www.mothercare...ty-Gate/dp/B002GUXESW