Is there a less expensive way to keep my son safe than those expensive gates?

Question

My son, now 8 months old, is very interested in exploring. I find him sometimes in the kitchen or trying to eat the cat food or even playing in the way of the front door. I've started using pillows to block off any exits from the living room. This however, is only a temporary solution. I looked into getting gates, but they run upwards of $40 and I just don't have that kind of money to spend on gates. Is there a less expensive DIY way to block of these areas, or are there less expensive gates out there?

Answer 1

I'm afraid there are only temp solutions... With our first two, we used to use our furniture to block off-limits areas. It worked, but didn't look too great! If you can do something like that, while saving for gates, that would be a good idea... Ask around; see if any relatives or friends have used ones they're looking to get rid of, or check eBay or amazon... Good luck! We use gates, now, and they really do work (and look) better.

Answer 2

Well, I bought several gates & I returned all of them because they never fixed rigth. So, I took my car´s truck nest & set it at the top of my stairs. It has been very safe.My sonis now 3 years old& we still using it...

Answer 3

They have expandable gates at wal-mart for 10 dollars. They don't swing open, but it's doable, lol. I just childproofed my downstairs by putting safety locks on some cabinets, although I allowed her to play with the pots and pans, it kept her busy while I'm working. I also put signs on my doors "open carefully, a munchkin and her toys underfoot"

Also, it's time to start setting limits and telling him no. Don't get frustrated about it, just lead him to something else that he can play with. It's an exploratory stage, he's just trying to learn. Also, unless your cat is 30 lbs and can't climb, I'd move the catfood somewhere he can't reach. If kitty's hungry, he'll get it, lol. Even putting it behind a gate will work. Good luck!

Answer 4

I used to use my kitchen chairs to block off the stairs and kitchen area from my toddler but soon she got hip to moving things and climbing through. So at the age your son is at, gates will make a wise long term investment.

Answer 5

You should be able to find much cheaper gates at Walmart or even a pet store. Or move furniture in the way, although most of the time that will probably cut ff your access as well.

Answer 6

it depends mainly on the size of the gate u will be needing, the bigger the doorway, the more expensive the gate, but try walmart, target, stores like that.  also garage sales, just if u do buy a used one, make sure its not an accoridian style one (their bars go kind of like diamond shapes in a criss crossing pattern, babies can get their heads stuck in it), and especially try ebay if ur ok w/buying online.http://baby.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_np...

Answer 7

Hello,

Are you a handy kind of person?

Why not go get the materials to build gates yourself?

There must be parents around you in the same situation that can use gates too?

Make them from wood and you can even by that squishy stuff to put around the wood so it would be soft.

Wire is not that expensive. You get the real little wire and a wee once can not get there hand through it....

Most places will cut to whatever length of wood you need  all you do is cut wire to length and put it together (over lapping the end cut wire) . Put them up, you can even by the rubber thingys  so it does not scratch your walls.....

Just a idea.

Answer 8

try freecycle.com you might beable to find a gate for FREE!

you could put the cat food up on a counter so the cats can get at it and your son can't.

block off unwanted areas with furnature or plywood.

Answer 9

there are some less expensive ones try wal-mart. You could also train your little one the dog food is a no no ect. we trained my son from like 9 months that the dog food is a no no. It can be done but have to remain consistent which can for about 3 days be non stop but it saves the rat race when you go to someones house and they have the pet food and no gates.