Feeding baby high chair

High Chair for Babies: Do’s and Don'ts

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Feeding a baby is a gruelling task – if you’re a new mother, you will most likely nod in agreement. You know what a mess it is to feed a growing baby. If only you could get your baby to stay put, right? And you can, if you can get him into a high chair! A high chair makes it to our list of essential items for a baby simply because it can be used longer than most baby products can, giving you a bang for your buck! Of course, it also makes feeding a WHOLE lot easier. Let’s show you how.

But first, let’s look at the when’s, why’s, and how’s of picking the right one!

When Do You Need a High Chair for Your Baby?

The answer to this question is simple: whenever you think your baby is ready to sit up, you can get a high chair for him. Usually, babies start sitting up by 4–6 months of age, but each child develops at his own pace, so you don’t want to rush it if your baby isn’t entirely ready for his new throne.

Keep a track of your baby’s physical development to know if he is ready for the transition. If your baby can sit up with support, shows stability while seated, and can hold his head up, you can get him a high chair.

What to Look For When Choosing a High Chair for Your Baby

Since you will be spending quite a lot of money on a high chair, you’ll probably want it to withstand at least two years of regular use or more if you’re looking to pass it on in your family. Well, that’s about durability, but there’s more you should check in a high chair before buying.

1. The first thing you need to check in a high chair is how functional it is. You must check if it comes with:

a detachable tray. This makes picking your baby out and putting him in a little easier and also makes cleaning the tray a whole lot easier.
wheels so that you can move it around from one room to the other. Also check, if the wheels can be locked to keep the chair stationary while feeding.
a transition option so that it can accommodate the needs of your growing baby. You will find many high chairs that can convert into a booster seat or a normal chair. Yes, you can now buy a multifunctional high chair too!

If space is an issue, you may want to consider a foldable chair. You can even buy a portable chair – it’s a great space saver and can be carried around while travelling or when going to a restaurant with the baby.
Babies and food is a messy combination, which means that you will need to consider a high chair which is easy to clean. The lesser the assembly and set-up in a chair, the easier it will be to clean. A chair with complex assembly or parts can be hard to clean and harder to re-assemble if you decide to detach the parts (tray, seat, cushions, etc.) for a thorough cleaning. On the other hand, a simple, functional chair, (think a minimalistic wooden or plastic and steel chair) which lacks crumb-catching crevices can be cleaned and assembled easily. If you want to avoid constant scrubbing and cleaning the nooks and corners of the chair, a basic model will be your best bet. That said, you don’t have to buy a basic model if it doesn’t appeal to you. If you don’t mind the little extra work, you can buy a high chair with additional parts and embellishments, that your baby will love sitting in.

No, we haven’t forgotten about the safety factor. We’re almost there!

Look for the comfort factor when buying a high chair for your little one. If you’re dreaming that your baby will stay put in a high chair for a decent amount of time, or at least until you finish your meal after you’ve fed him, look for a chair that has a well-padded seat, a footrest, and nothing that could be uncomfortable for your baby.
Your child’s safety is of prime importance. When buying a high chair for your munchkin, do check its safety features. Look for a chair which has seat straps that are easy to buckle and unbuckle. Confirm if it has a three or five-point harness to keep the baby secure on the seat. Check for a crotch strap too as it will keep your baby seated snugly and prevent high chair accidents.

Do’s and Don’ts While Using a High Chair for Your Baby

Here are some tips that you should follow while using a high chair for your baby.

Do’s

Keep the chair close to you at all times when your baby is sitting on it.
Use the waist strap and crotch strap to keep your baby secure on the chair. Strap your baby with a three or five-point harness.
Lock the wheels of the high chair before you seat your baby on it.
Make it a point that you use the chair only for meals. Do not let your baby sit in it all the time.
Before every use, check the chair for pointed edges and other parts that may be dangerous for your baby. Make sure the chair is not damaged.

Don’ts

Never leave your baby unattended on a high chair. You never know what trick your curious little fellow may pull off.
Do not make your baby stand or climb on the high chair in case it topples over.
Do not place the high chair near the kitchen countertop or table or anywhere you think your baby can reach. Your baby might use his legs to push the chair.
Do not use the feeding tray to restrain the baby. Always use straps to secure him.

A high chair for your baby will make your baby’s mealtimes a pleasant experience. When you finally decide to buy one, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice! Happy shopping!

Also Read: Best Baby High Chairs

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Aarohi Achwal

Aarohi Achwal holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a master’s degree in English Literature. While working as an intern for an English daily, she realised that she likes writing above anything else. The idea of being heard without having to speak appeals to her. She likes to write research-based articles that are informative and relevant. She has written articles on pregnancy, parenting, and relationships. And she would like to continue creating content on health and lifestyle.

Are High Chairs Necessary? Or A Waste Of Money? (5 Things to Consider)

As a new parent, you may be overwhelmed with the number of things “they” say you must have to care for your baby.

While there’s no getting around raising little humans without cost, there are some items you can live without. Is the high chair one of those items?

We’re here to discuss the factors you need to consider and help you determine if a high chair is necessary for your baby.

Table of Contents

How Safe Is It?
Do You Have Space?
Can You Afford a High Chair?
How Versatile Is the High Chair?
How Easy Is It To Clean?
It’s Your Call

There are many reasons to consider not having a high chair. But while a traditional high chair may not be right for you, your baby does need a place to eat. The best high chairs can be a convenient way to provide that.

How Safe Is It?

Of course, the most important consideration is your baby’s safety. This also applies to feeding. Don’t rely on a seat not designed for feeding and compromise on safety.

Though it may seem easier to use something like a swing, bouncy chair, or Bumbo seat at the table, the risk and safety dangers aren’t worth it.

But high chairs have risks too. Each year, numerous infants are injured while sitting in a high chair, mostly from falls ⁽¹⁾.

Here is what you should look for in a high chair:

Adjustable safety straps (three or five-point harness).
Safe latches and closures.
Adjustable seat heights.
A crotch post.
No rough edges or exposed hinges.
Broad, stable base.
Wheel locks.

We highly recommend checking out our guide to high chair safety to ensure you choose a safe option for your baby. The AAP offers some additional safety recommendations for the use of high chairs.

Do You Have Space?

One of the biggest downfalls of the traditional high chair is how much space it takes up. This is especially true if it’s a full-size model with a tray and if it reclines or has a variety of other features.

If you’re willing to compromise on features such as reclining or having a tray, there are certainly other options available. You could choose to use a booster seat strapped to a regular kitchen chair, so you can remove it as needed.

Before you consider using a booster seat high chair, it is important to be sure your baby has good head control and back muscle coordination. They should at least be able to sit a significant amount of time without the aid of back support (and not fall over while sitting). Booster seats offer minimal trunk support, so these are best for infants closer to a year old.

Editor's Note:

Team Mom Loves Best

One of the first things to decide is whether you want to have a separate feeding tray or if you want them right at the table with the rest of the family. Trust us when we say there will be a mess either way, so it depends on whether you want to clean the same surface or a different one.

Some parents do not find the recline feature necessary and prefer to have the youngest member of the family seated right at the table for meals, so they opt for a space-saving high chair without these features.

As a pediatrician, I do not recommend the recline feature on a high chair. An infant should sit upright for feeding to prevent choking.

Editor's Note:

Team Mom Loves Best

Another consideration is how much storage space your high chair will take up when not in use. Folding high chairs require less storage space, but they still take up some room.

Can You Afford a High Chair?

High chairs can be one of the most expensive items for your baby — right up there with a stroller, crib, and car seat. Given the limited amount of time your baby will use the high chair for, it is tempting for parents to opt for something lower-priced instead.

Of course, just holding your baby on your lap is always an option, but it impedes your ability to eat and can lead to more of a mess.

Similar to the issue of saving space, the portable/hook-on high chair or travel booster seat is an excellent option as they are usually just a fraction of the cost. They are also more versatile as you can use them when you visit restaurants or friends’ houses and continue using them up to age three and beyond.

How Versatile Is the High Chair?

Truthfully, one of the best gifts I received when expecting my first child was our high chair. It’s so versatile; it will grow with my child into adulthood. I’m not kidding – the friend who gave it to us still uses hers from when she was a child, only now it serves as a chair at her desk instead of a high chair.

We love this version by Stokke because its ergonomic design evolves with your child from six months to adulthood. With an adjustable seat and footrest, it’s a solid wood piece. It also has a modern look and a variety of color options.

Because you can use it for purposes besides feeding, we recommend it over the stand-alone high chair which is only useful in the kitchen at mealtimes.

How Easy Is It To Clean?

Most traditional stand-alone high chairs are covered in a wipeable fabric for cleaning. However, the ease of cleaning these is up for debate. Crumbs and stains in all those fabric crevices are unavoidable — especially after daily use with one or more kids.

If you want an easy to clean high chair, we suggest looking at options without fabric. It’s best if they also have a removable and dishwasher-safe tray for occasional quick, deep cleanings.

It’s Your Call

Don’t buy something just because “they” tell you it’s a necessary item. You know your family best, and you are the expert on your baby.

All you need is to provide a safe, stable place for your baby to eat, one that meets your family’s needs regarding:

Safety.
Space.
Cost.
Versatility.
Ease of cleaning.

Whether that comes in the form of a traditional stand-alone high chair or another hybrid option is up to you. Whichever form of chair you choose, it is most important that you supervise your baby while they use it to reduce possible injuries.

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Highchairs CAM | Transformer chair for children

An indispensable assistant in the family where a newborn has appeared - a high chair for feeding, playing and sleeping by CAM. Due to its versatility, reliability, compactness, ease of movement and many other advantages, such a chair will be necessary for your child from birth until the time when the baby learns independence. The Italian company Cam, which has been producing products for children thought out in every respect for more than 45 years with love and knowledge, offers a large selection of high chairs, both in terms of characteristics and design:

A range of high chairs that can be adjusted to your child's height;
New - portable highchair that can be easily installed on any chair.

Are you looking for a comfortable, reliable, high-quality chair for feeding and playing your baby? The CAM chair is indispensable!

Buying a stylish and comfortable highchair CAM, you get a faithful assistant not only for yourself and your baby, but, thanks to the quality and durability of the products of the famous Italian brand, it will also serve his younger brothers and sisters. nine0003

Age category. You don't have to wait for your baby to start sitting. The backrest unfolds almost to a horizontal position. From the age of one month, the baby can be safely left in the highchair and go about their business. And 3-year-old kids willingly play and eat in their favorite beautiful chair.

Security. The main feature of the CAM company is the safety and reliability of goods. It is provided with a stable design of chairs, soft rounded edges of the frame, several sets of seat belts (including five-point ones), clamps on the front legs of the chair, which exclude the possibility of its arbitrary movement. nine0003

Compact. When folded, the chairs are convenient to store and transport, because they fold and unfold very easily, they take up very little space.

Hygiene. A definite plus is the fact that the seat cover can be removed and washed, quickly and easily.

Versatility. The ability to adjust the height of the chair to the height of your baby or to the height of your dining, kitchen, or any other table in one simple movement.

Versatility. The set of the chair comes with two removable tables - for games and for eating, at the bottom there is a basket for toys. The chair can also be used as a lounge chair. nine0003

Design. CAM highchairs are so comfortable and beautiful that the highchair you choose will undoubtedly become one of your baby's favorite toys, with which he will willingly and with pleasure learn independence. And a large selection of colorful colors and patterns will make the chair a bright detail of the interior of your home.

Mobility. Thanks to the presence of wheels on the rear legs of the frame, you can easily move the table without taking out the child. And when folded, you can grab your baby's favorite chair when you go to visit relatives or to the country. nine0003