High chairs are not a main priority when your little one is a newborn. But once he hits the 4- to 6-month mark and you're starting to introduce foods like purees and small bites, your baby will need a high chair. While what and how to feed your little one are your main concerns, having the right baby high chair for your specific needs can make the transition to solids happen more smoothly.
The right wooden high chair for you is the one that makes feeding your baby easy, safe and fun so, once you're satisfied that a highchair meets safety requirements and is easy to clean, it's really about your family's budget, your style and how you plan to use your high chair.
Wooden High chair safety tips to remember
Your baby's wooden highchair is a safe place to explore food in all its textured, tasty glory. A safe high chair makes the job of supervising meals easier for mom and dad, too - lunchtime is a lot harder if you're chasing a toddler around the house with a spoonful of applesauce. Here's what to know about the safety features that are most important to look for in a high chair. Make sure your high chair is safety certified.
1. Look for a wide, well-balanced footprint. You want to ensure that, even when baby gets bigger and more boisterous, she won’t be able to tip the chair over.
2. Legs should be sturdy and not too wide-set. Chair legs that splay out wide are a tripping hazard for distracted parents in the kitchen.
3. Always follow height and weight guidelines. They’re set for a reason, and following them will ensure your baby is sitting safely.
4. Always make sure baby is buckled up. Your highchair should have, at the minimum, a T-style strap that goes across baby’s lap, through her legs and connects in the middle for a snug, secure fit. Curious little ones have been known to go exploring and that can be dangerous. Just attaching the lap table is not enough to make sure baby’s secure.
5. Never leave baby unattended in the chair. This should be a given. But baby might topple the chair, or choke if eating while not supervised.
6. Make sure your chair is a safe distance from the table or other edges. Baby loves to stretch her legs and push, and that could mean an unexpected topple.
7. Be super careful when folding and unfolding your chair. And make sure baby is at a safe distance. You don’t want little fingers or toes to get caught in hinges or locks.
Now that you’ve gotten safety tips for high chairs.
