Install a hardware-mounted gate at the top of any staircase (pressure-mounted gates aren't secure enough for the top, since a fall could push through) and either type at the bottom. Do this before your baby starts crawling — most babies reach a staircase before parents expect.
Top vs. bottom: different gates, different jobs
At the top of a staircase, a fall against the gate could genuinely push it down the stairs — this is exactly why hardware-mounted gates (screwed into the wall or banister) are the standard recommendation there, never pressure-mounted. At the bottom, a pressure-mounted gate is generally fine, since there's no fall-through-the-stairs risk at that end.
Timing: earlier than most parents expect
Babies often reach a staircase and start attempting to climb it before crawling is even fully coordinated — sometimes as early as 6–7 months if stairs are easily accessible. Install gates before crawling begins, rather than waiting to see how close your baby gets to the stairs on their own.
Should you teach stair navigation instead of just gating?
Many child development specialists recommend doing both: gate the stairs to prevent unsupervised access, but also teach supervised stair-climbing (and, importantly, backward stair-descending, which is safer than forward-facing descent) once a baby shows interest, usually starting around 9–12 months. This builds a genuinely useful skill without relying on it as the primary safety measure.
What to do if a stair fall happens despite precautions
Stair falls carry a higher-than-average risk of more significant head injury given the height and hard edges involved — treat any fall down more than a step or two with a lower threshold for calling your pediatrician than you might for a fall on flat ground, even if your baby seems okay immediately afterward.
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Shop all ten stylesFrequently asked questions
What type of gate should go at the top of the stairs?
Hardware-mounted only — pressure-mounted gates aren't secure enough for the top of a staircase, where a fall against the gate could push it open.
When should I install stair gates?
Before your baby starts crawling, typically by 5–6 months, since babies often reach and attempt stairs earlier than expected.
Should I teach my baby to climb stairs if I already have a gate?
Yes — supervised stair practice (including backward descent) is a useful skill to build alongside gating, not instead of it.
