moms - baby gates?

LnR70707

Any recommendations? or total junk that I should avoid?  C is *this close* to crawling so I've got to get on this, but I've seen so many that are a total PIA to get open.  DH doesn't want to damage the walls so we'll probably go with pressure mounted.

tawillers

We have this at the top of our stairs.  We've had it since DD1 became mobile and we like it.  No issues.

http://www.amazon.com/Regalo-Easy-Step-Walk-White/dp/B001OC5UMQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328121739&sr=8-1-fkmr0

You probably already know this, but some gates are not to be used at the top of stairs, so keep that in mind when you are choosing.

ETA:  It's easy to use one-handed, which was very important for me.

ETA:  This gate is not pressure mounted.  It's screwed into the walls.

*Barbie*

we have an evenflo simple step that we use for the dogs. metal, pressure mounted, extra tall, walk through (there's a door) about $30 from target. i don't see it on the website, so maybe they don't sell it any more. ours holds back our 140lb dog and 27lb dog jumping on it at the same time, so I think it could contain a baby.

we need to buy a hardware mounted gate for the stairs, but haven't found one that fits right (between the banister and the wall. right now we just have one of those woodn expansion gates leaning in place and it does the job. wolverine and the dogs don't bother it.

LnR70707

how do you know what shouldn't be used at the top?   we have a wall on on side and bannister on the other at the top, and bannisters on both sides at the bottom.

tawillers

I think pressure mounted gates aren't recommended for the top of the stairs.

I remember seeing wording on the products about where to place them when we were in the stores.

6fsn

I just ordered two.  One is going back because I can't figure it out.  The other isn't here yet so hopefully it's better.

hmonkey

obil used zip ties to secure the baby gate to the stair rails.  temp but secure.

LnR70707

I've seen several pressure mounts with Y brackets for bannisters, which is what I think we'll do at the bottom, but the combo at the top is tougher.  Plus I'm obviously not so worried about C knocking over the bottom one as much as the top.

AuntFlo

I don't know what we use at the top of our steps, but it's good.   The two pressure mounted ones we have are crap.  I wouldn't even bother with those unless you can find a used one for real cheap.

GBCK

The wood pressure mounted are better than the plastic pressure mounted.

(I do need to find us a good really-mounted one--but they're all taller than the pressure mounted ones and then the fat cat gets stuck on the wrong side)

MinM

I'm not a mom, but have my fair share of experience with baby gates. This is what I have learned. Go ahead and spend more for one that is easy to open.

Heffalump

We had KidCo Safeway gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.  They're hardware-mounted, not pressure, though.  I have not personally found a pressure-mounted gate that could be used at the top of the stairs.

*Barbie*

i always thought the hardware mounted gates were more for stairs and the pressure mounted were more for doorways.