When Does a Baby Need a High Chair?
As your child grows older, their needs change, such as their feeding utensils and other objects in their daily life. An example of this is the high chair, which is used when infants are introduced to solid food.
High chairs allow babies to sit up straight and helps with getting adapted to and learning this skill. Once a child is able to mostly sit upright by themselves – around the ages of 12 months old – parents would introduce the high chair, which helps with spoon-feeding and may help avoid spillage
Of course, using high chairs have hazards. Because of their height, the parents have to make sure that the children holding them won’t be able to lean too far forward, causing them to fall down.
Likewise, the backrest should be durable enough to hold the child in place.
One also has to keep in mind that you should select the high chair according to the child’s size and weight. If the baby is quite heavy for his or her age, the high chair would need some reinforcing for it to work properly.
There are a lot more safety hazards when using a high chair, but responsible parenting and a dependable structure should be enough to keep your child safe.
Let’s Talk About More Ways to Keep Your Child Safe in a High Chair.
First up, using a second-hand high chair can be quite dangerous. The product may have gone through some wear and tear when it was first used, and even after. Materials like wood can decay over time, especially when there are termite infestations.
The older the chair, the more likely it is to fall apart when it is used. Sure, a chair that was built and used months ago may still be safe, but one that is a few years old has a high chance of breakage. And you don’t want your high chair to break while the child is in it.
Safety Strap is a key safety option
Another safety option that you should seriously consider when selecting or constructing a high chair would be a safety strap. If you have a child that’s very active and energetic, this will help you keep him or her in place while you feed your infant. Of course, make sure that it’s just the right size.
A strap that’s too short will either be too tight or won’t even be able to get around the kid’s body. Also, if the strap is too long will not do the job because it would be too loose.
When selecting a high chair from the market, choose ones with safety straps that fit all sizes. Here is a fantastic article that helps you choose the best adjustable wooden high chair for your baby.
But if you’re planning to build your own high chair, adjust the safety strap’s measurements according to your baby.
If your high chair is the folding type, make sure to check if the joints have locking devices to keep them from accidentally bending and crumpling unexpectedly. This can cause injury to your baby.
But most importantly, make sure to keep a clear head when using a high chair. Common sense, above all safety contraptions, can keep your baby safe.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
What age should a child be out of a high chair?
Although there’s no specific age, your toddler will typically be ready to move away from the high chair anywhere between 18 months and 3 years of age. During this range, they’re steady enough to keep themselves upright for longer periods of time, but may still be a bit wiggly.
Can a 4-month-old sit in a high chair?
It is possible with support. Baby’s physical development at 4 months should begin to reveal that little one can sit up well with some assistance.
