Skip to main content

Why an auto-close baby gate may save your sanity

Automatic baby gates are one of those things you never think about until you have a child in the house. Self-closing baby gates save you from the headache of your curious child getting into things they shouldn’t. This means fewer messes to clean up, peace of mind, and a safe, happy baby. If you’re still on the fence about if an auto-close baby gate is a good fit for your home, hear us out.

They keep your baby safe

The obvious reason why auto-close gates are an essential tool in any home with a child is that they keep your children safe. Babies love to explore. Who can blame them? When they’re finally crawling and moving around on their own, they can’t be stopped. A sure way to keep them from potentially dangerous areas in your home like the kitchen is an auto-close baby gate. Using technology like gravity-powered locking mechanisms, self-closing baby gates are useful for areas like stairs and garage doors.

modern baby gate
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

To make sure they’re not an obstacle for any adult or older child passing through, many auto-close gates have dual swinging hinges that let you open the door either way. Most auto-close baby gates have a lock on top that opens easily without much force or potential to hurt your hand. Other advanced gates close just by pushing on it, but, of course, these should be reserved for very young babies who will not accidentally open them.

They contain your fur babies, too

Baby gates also keep your pets out of trouble. We know how much our little fur babies also love to wander, especially when there are treats involved. This makes auto-close baby gates perfect for keeping babies and pets out of kitchens and certain parts of the home. We found that homes with babies and dogs benefited most from metal gates because they’re durable and easy to install. Tall metal baby gates mean even larger dogs will stay put. Note, however, that most metal gates require screws, so these might not be ideal for apartments.

They have you covered when you’re not all there

You will thank self-closing baby gates on days when you barely get three hours of sleep. When you’re running on fumes and trying to run a household, closing the baby gate might be the last thing on your mind. Perhaps this is why they invented automatic baby gates after all — to support us tired parents when we can barely keep our eyes open.

A self-closing baby gate is one less thing you need to think about so you can save that mental space for equally important things.

baby gate
Daria Chichkareva/Shutterstock

They’ve got your back when your hands are full

Baby gates that close with just a push of your leg or hip are especially useful for when your hands are full — literally. Whether you’re carrying your crying toddler or transporting a load of laundry from the wash to the bedroom, auto-close baby gates save you from awkward and potentially dangerous solutions. If you’ve ever tried to carry 20 bags of groceries from the car to the kitchen in one go while simultaneously trying to operate a traditional baby gate or door, you know what we’re talking about. As a parent, you’re always multitasking and trying to find more efficient ways of doing things. Well, good news: A self-closing baby gate leaves you to focus on the task in front of you.

Things to consider

  • Dimensions
  • Features
  • Installation

Before you settle on an auto-close baby gate, here are some deciding factors to think about. One key factor is the gate’s dimensions. You want a gate that’s tall enough to safely keep your baby out of adults-only areas. Equally important is a gate that actually fits the doorway or entrance you want to cover. Measure the stairway or doorway you want to cover to make sure you have the right width. Fortunately, many gates have adjustable widths that fit a range of doorways, but it’s good to be sure to save you a trip back to the store or return fees.

You might also consider additional features like a stay-open option for when children are asleep or out of the house. These gates close when kept at a certain angle and stay open beyond certain angles. Of course, this means you might accidentally leave the gate open when you don’t mean to and may be a cause for trouble, especially if you have a very young child or a very active pet.

Besides automatic levels, also consider what type of locking mechanism you’re comfortable with. There are various options that let you further personalize your baby gate: hands-free gates that close with a push, gates that close with a one-hand top lock, or gates with multiple locks to keep the most persistent and curious children closed in. If you’re a busy bee and are constantly completing chores around the house, a hands-free gate is your best bet. If you like the peace of mind a top-locking or multiple-lock gate brings, feel free to try out these options as well.

toddler at plastic baby gate
DGLimages/Shutterstock

Last, think about what type of installation will work for you. On-pressure baby gates use suctions on the sides to attach to doorways. These are useful for apartments or homes where screws or nails aren’t feasible. By contrast, fixed wall gates are a little more permanent and require more work, but are good for long-term use, older children, and/or larger pets.

We’ve covered the main reasons why auto-close baby gates might just save your sanity. Whether you opt for a tall, hands-free closing gate or a wide, multiple-lock gate, you can make sure your child moves safely in their designated play area. You know what else? An auto-close gate leaves you free to finally finish that load of laundry or that cup of coffee you made three hours ago. So go ahead. Stay efficient, and try out that auto-close baby gate you’ve been scouting!

Editors' Recommendations

NewFolks
Why do toddlers cry in their sleep and how can you help them?
Learn the facts so everyone gets a good night's rest
A toddler sleeping in the bed.

Have you ever woken in the middle of the night to your toddler's cries, only to discover by the time you've run to check on them they are back asleep? If so, you're not alone. If your typical happy-go-lucky toddler is suddenly crying out in their sleep, it may make parents worried something may be wrong. As if toddler behavior isn't difficult enough to figure out when they're awake, parents need to know why toddlers cry in their sleep.

The good news is toddlers crying in their sleep is a normal part of their development and doesn't mean there's anything troubling your child you should be concerned about. In fact, this behavior has a variety of different causes. Learn some of the reasons why toddlers cry in their sleep and if there's anything to do to help prevent it, so everyone gets a good night's sleep.

Read more
Is your baby not eating solid foods? Here’s what could be going on
Should you worry if the little one isn't eating solid foods? Find out here
Baby in a highchair at the table eating.

When babies are first introduced to solid foods, they tend to already prefer what they like. Some little ones like vegetables, while others prefer the sweet taste of fruits. Babies usually take to eating solid foods quite quickly and enjoy experiencing the new flavors. Let's face it, once a baby starts on solid food, all they want to do is eat everything you put in front of them. But what happens when your baby's not eating solids?

It can be confusing for a parent when their munchkin, who seems to enjoy food so much, suddenly refuses to eat solids. Or, when their little one begins eating solids, but then stops eating them entirely. This commonly happens with kids and isn't something to be too concerned about or cause panic. Let's go over why your hungry hippo is rejecting solid foods and if there's anything you should do about it.

Read more
Your baby fell off the bed! Do these things immediately to ensure proper care for your child
Have a little roly poly? Here's what to do if baby rolls off the bed
A mother changing a baby on a bed.

Parents are only human and sometimes things happen in the blink of an eye. If you've ever put your baby down on a bed and turned your back for even a quick second only to have your baby fall off the bed, you know this is true. In fact, babies falling off beds is the leading cause of injuries for children. You happen to have your baby lying there — away from the edge, no less. You turn around for just a few seconds and then you hear that telltale cry.

What do you do? First, you’ll need to keep from panicking. Taking a deep breath and making some initial observations is a vital step to ensure your baby gets the right help. Once you've calmed down imagining your little one going over the edge, we have advice for you to follow in case this unfortunate accident happens to your child.

Read more