When Can a Baby Sit in a Highchair – 5 Important Note
Most parents are always eager for the moment their baby would be able to sit up on their own in a highchair and maybe eat some solid food. That is why one of the frequently asked questions in most baby forums is, “When can a baby sit in a highchair?”
When it comes to the right time to put your baby in a highchair, no rule states the right age to do that. The rate at which your baby will grow and develop is different from that of another baby hence you should not compare your DS or DD to another baby. Oh! I know I have lost you. DS stands for dear son. You can guess what DD means.
So When Is A Baby Ready To Sit In A Highchair?
When your baby is able to sit upright on her own, that is the right time to introduce her to a high chair because she is ready for it. Usually, this will happen when your baby is between 4 to 6 months. Please remember that it is not recommended to try sitting your baby in a highchair before she is 4 months of age. Just be patient until she shows signs of being ready.
At the beginning when introducing your baby to the highchair, ensure that you prop her up because by then they would still be unable to sit and be stable without being supported. For starters, it is recommended that you go for a reclining highchair if your baby is still unable to sit up alone for a longer time.
A highchair comes in handy especially if you always eat at the dining table as you can feed the baby with one hand while eating on the other hand.
What To Look Out For When Buying A Highchair For Your Baby
There is a wide variety of highchair brands available in the market. Safety and functionality are what should guide you when you are choosing the right high chair for your baby. Other factors like cost should come after the safety and comfort of your baby. Here is a list of other features you can look out for.
- Reclining seats
- Easy-to-clean and removable seat cover
- The adjustable height that makes it possible to be converted into a low chair and table
- Certification from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This is to ensure that the highchair you are about to buy meets the safety standards. For those living in the UK, the highchairs should conform to British safety standards
- The material used to make it. Some highchairs are made of wood while others are made of metal. Your personal preference should determine what you go for
- Portability since sometimes you might need to use it away from home. Go for a foldable model
Safety Tips For Keeping Your Baby Safe While In The Highchair.
Before letting your baby use that highchair that you have just bought, there are safety tips that you need to keep in mind to avoid future accidents. Ensure that you don’t forget the following:
- Make sure the high chair has a good broad base since it has to be stable so that the baby does not fall in case she tries to move while in the chair.
- Ensure that you strap your child when sitting in the highchair to prevent her from falling off.
- Avoid putting the highchair on a slippery surface or on a raised surface.
- Don’t leave your baby unattended to while in her highchair especially when she is eating because she might choke.
- Avoid putting the baby in a highchair in a reclined position while you are feeding them solid food. The baby must be well-supported and in an upright position when eating solid food.
Conclude
To summarise, a good highchair should not only be safe and easy to use but should also have unique and efficient features that will make it easier to feed your baby. Don’t be in a hurry to introduce your baby to sitting in a highchair. I have come across some parents who ask if they can put a new-born in a highchair. My take is, don’t even think about it.
I hope that after you have read this article, you will now be able to tell when your baby is ready to join the rest of the family at the dinner table and eat with the rest of you, or at least get to watch you eat while seated in the highchair.
Highchairs cost usually range from a few pounds to hundreds of pounds depending on the design and materials of fabrication. Some highchairs are just simple in structure while others have sleek designs. Go ahead and buy the one that suits your taste, budget and most importantly, the one that will keep your baby safe.
