As your baby starts to grow and become more mobile, you'll probably find yourself wondering when it's time to take away the baby gates. After all, you don't want your little one to feel like he or she is cooped up or restricted.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make the decision about when to remove baby gates:
1. When your child is old enough to understand basic safety rules, he or she can start learning how to navigate around the house without needing a gate. This typically happens around age 3 or 4.
2. If your child is able to climb over the gate, it's time to take it down. Not only is this a safety hazard, but it also means that your child isn't respecting the boundary that you've set.
3. Baby gates should also be removed when they become an obstacle or tripping hazard for other members of the household. This is often the case with taller Gates that are placed at the bottom of stairs.
4. Sometimes, children outgrow the need for a gate before they reach school age. If your child seems mature and responsible enough to move around the house safely without a gate, there's no need to keep one in place unnecessarily. Trust your parenting instincts on this one!