ARGH! Can't find a stairgate for weirdy top of stairs situation! please help

[PeppermintPatty]

DESPAretely Need a stairgate at top of v steep stairs. DD is 12 months old, is walking but no idea of danger.

Because we've got a rounded banister we can't attach a regular stairgate to it.
We can't fit a stairgate on the landing because there's nowhere with walls either side (banister with spindles that you can't attach anything to)

All the stair gates I've looked at you need two flat surfaces either side to fix it to.

ARGH bloody old houses

Not sure that I can picture it, but could a carpenter make you a bespoke one to match the banister?

can you screw blocks of wood to the banister to make a straight surface to attach a gate to?

I'm not sure I could screw blocks of wood to the banister cause then the stairgate wouldn't fit in the gap - we have v narrow staircase. The 2 stairgates we've got only just fit the gap as it is.
Aslo not sure about screwing wood to a rounded surface - the post at the top of the stairs is all nobbly and rounded ~(like lots of spheres on top off each other). AM shite at DIY. DH is worse ;)

Tis an oldfashiioned staircase with fancy railing and spindles, in oldfashioned teeraced house with v steep narrow scary stairs.

Ooo I don't think we could afford to get one made.

We got 2 stairgaTES given but don't think either are going to be any good.

perhaps stairgate across his room and the rest of the time make sure you are with him and teach him to go down backwards from now just in case he escapes your notice at some point.

These are expensive but flexible as to how much you extend it.
www.babysecurity.co.uk/p/333310/lascal-kiddyguard-retractable-stair-safety-gate-free-delivery-.html

mrsappropriate - I don't think even that one will work

Cargirl - I think that's the only option.
Its sort of what we are doing at the moment -we just always keep doors shut so she can't get onto landing.
I'm just afraid she'll learn how to open doors or I have a lapse of attention and she'll fall down the stairs. They are v v steep

I have taught her to go down steps backwards - but only when there's one or to steps (eg. steps at front of house).
There's NO WAY I want her going down the stairs on her own yet - she hasn't got the coordination and they are v steep(did I mention that!!!)

We attached wood to our banister to which is also knobbly but we used flat brackets and attached them to the straightest bits.

We have ornate bannisters and have a block of wood attached plus the stairgate that pulls, like a blind, out. Jojomamanbebe do it and safetygates. (It's about £50 though

PeppermintPatty, I have the same problem. Our stairs are incredibly steep too. So much so that I am tempted to hold DS in my arms and go down the stairs on my bum. He's only 5 months at the moment, but we really need to look into stair gates sooner rather than later. Think I will have to get a normal one and adapt it somehow, or adapt the spindle at the top of the stairs.

You could always block the whole spindle in, until no more stairgates.

How about banister extension kit

Fits square formed bannister up to 1-1/2" (40mm) and round bannister up to 2"

any good?

or this

scroll to the "Y-spindles" at the bottom

How do you mean Twelvelegs?

The banister extension kit is no good - we looked at the Kiddyguard one in mothercare today - it has the banister extension kit included. The problem is the Kiddyguard needs to be fitted 6 inches away from the top step. In our house there is nothing to fix it TO 6 inches away from the top step grrrrr

The problem is the fancy banister so no pressure fit ones suitable.
And the banister actually finishes at the second to top step (weirdly enough) so also to far away to fit gate to safely.

We have decided to admit defeat and just have the gate we have on her bedroom doorframe.
And then just teach her to go down backwards as soon as she is more coordinated.
Spoke to my mum she said she didn't have stairgates with us just taught us to go down backwards, so although we did slip a few times - we didn't fall, just slided on our tummies for a bit.
I hope this works!

• How old do you think she should be before I start teaching her? She just 12 months ATM

My dh made ours. He just screwed two small cubes of wood either side and cut a piece of wood to fit which would slide in between them. Simple, cheap and very usable.

I was thinking of putting a wooden cover around the whole spindle, so at the top/bottom of your stairs there would be a large cuboid pillar around the spindle. Therefore not ruining your spindle, and could be fastened to the floor then you could get the kiddiguard gate.
Do you see wht I mean??

Is she still in a cot? If so you don't really need a stairgate. Unless you let her run around on her own upstairs which I'm guessing you don't?

Have a look on here safetots they have gates to fit awkward spaces. We used three sides of a playpen across the top of our stairs until we got a joiner to make us a gate to fit. TBH we have more problems with DD falling on the stairs when she is climbing up them than we do when she is climbing down them. She is 18mo and has climbed the stairs herself for a few months now - with me behind her - and goes down them holding my hand. I wouldn't worry about her opening doors, unless they don't latch properly and she can push them open - she would have to be very strong and tall to turn a handle.