Toddler in a flat anyone?

[mamainlockdown]

I've posted about my 12.5 mo DD before. She is VERY lively and curious and never sits still, wants to explore EVERYTHING. We live in a high-rise new build type flat with no garden. Whilst I've done a few things to toddler proof, I'm finding it increasingly challenging and feel like I'm having to say "no" more frequently, or physically remove her from situations. This then makes her frustrated and upset. I would like to toddler proof some more so there is less saying no all the time and more opportunity to explore as she wants, and more harmony basically. But I would love some advice especially if you live/d in a flat with a toddler!

So I've child-locked obvious things like cupboards and drawers, and moved things off the bottom shelves and replaced with her books. But there are two main areas I'm stuck on:

1. we have two rooms with Juliet balconies, and she is OBSESSED with going over to them and trying to get "outside". There's no concern about her falling off or anything - there's a 2metre high glass barrier in the way- but the ledge from the window to the Juliet "balcony" bit is concrete, with metal bits where the sliding doors run along. There's a sort of step down from the ends of the window ledge onto the concrete "balcony" bit (which is only about 30cm deep). Also the heavy sliding doors themselves, she sometimes tries to slide them along herself and she is very strong and can manage to do it! So then I worry about her fingers.

The sliding doors open up all the way to the sides of the room, so it's a massive opening, not a single door width. I don't think a baby gate would work and I don't know how I'd fasten it. Has anyone had experience of this?

2. the second issue is the kitchen / living area. The two are separated by an island with a gap either side to walk into the kitchen area iyswim. There are a few bits in the kitchen which aren't safe and I'd like to block it off. The gaps either side of the island are about 1m so we could put up two baby gates. I was thinking about something like the picture attached. However, the walls on either side are only stud walls and they are hollow. We aren't going to be able to attach a baby gate are we? Bearing in mind we have a strong toddler who will stop at nothing to prise things apart!

How do you fix baby gates etc if you only have stud walls? If not, is there anything else we could use to block off the kitchen area?

Thank you!

To be honest I never baby proofed that much. As long as DS couldn’t get to cleaning products, electric sockets or sharp knives I was happy. It’s not like he’s ever left alone. I only toddler proofed his bedroom (he can’t get to his window and the wardrobe/drawers can’t fall on him if he decides to climb them one day) because he’s left alone in there during the night. With the balconies, as there is no danger of her falling I’d just let her explore around them whilst you watch her, she’ll soon get bored once the novelty wears off. What is in the kitchen that you don’t want her near that a door lock wouldn’t fix?

Can you lock the sliding doors to the balcony? Appreciate that might not be ideal with air flow but until she is a bit older and can understand the safety implications.

Window locks.
Baby gate kept them out of the kitchen.
(Do you own or rent? If you own you can put up a wooden Barton drilled into to wooden framework. ) Alternatively:
Drawer and cupboard locks
Bells hung on cupboard doors.
Fridge locks.

@Cheerstoyou the kitchen is part of the living room so I can't lock the door. There is a grate under the fridge which hides the cabling which she keeps pulling off. I can't do anything to remove that grate as it's needed. Also she walks around under my feet when I'm cooking with hot things.

@BertieBotts no way, we have to have windows open as the flat is boiling. Her room is currently 32 degrees with windows open! With windows closed it would be unbearable.

Hi l had a v active toddler while I stayed in a flat. I can understand how you feel especially the balcony as it's easy to get fingers caught in the sliding doors. We used a fire place guard for the balcony and baby gates for kitchen and bathroom. I also had a baby play pen for times when I had to take a shower or just get some work done in kitchen. But it wasn't used for long as my son was able to jump out of it. Look at Facebook market place or eBay for second hand stuff. These things get used for a v short time.

Can you rotate the furniture round a bit? Just thinking if you can block one end of the island with a dining table /the sofa / a TV unit, then you could put a gate affixed to the other end of the island (closest to the door to the room) in a way which means she is blocked from lounge to kitchen.

An expanding rail pressure fit between the open patio doors would safely hold them open (place at the top). This means when they are open you will need to be right there all the time but I'd imagine you are anyways whenever the patio doors are open.

Also would be worth opening the second set (assume these are in a bedroom), and gating off that bedroom door so there is airflow and she cant get at them to play with them