When is a Child Too Old for a High Chair? - Malina Malkani

Most high chairs have plenty of safety features like adjustable straps, a point harness, and locks to keep your little one securely in place. These features help reduce the risk of slips or falls. And most high chairs come with adjustable height settings so that you can place your baby at a comfortable height for safe self-feeding.

Whether you're spoon-feeding or doing baby-led weaning, having a place to seat your little one without worrying is convenient for parents, but it benefits the baby too.

While a baby is seated securely, their hands are free to explore food. During baby-led weaning, you can offer food right on the tray or on baby-friendly plates with utensils.

Of course, babies should never be left alone while they're eating. But unless you have a talented escape artist, you generally don't have to worry about them falling over or reaching for anything dangerous if you turn your head for a minute. 

That being said, not all high chairs are equally safe. Consumer Reports rated high chairs based on sturdiness, versatility, and ease of cleaning. As an infant and child nutrition expert, I curated my top recommended high chairs that meet these safety standards and have trunk support, adjustable trays, and adjustable footrests.

When choosing a high chair, look for certification stickers from ASTM International, showing that safety standards have been met.

The AAP has a few tips for high chair safety:

• Don't leave the high chair near a table or counter, or your little one can use it as leverage to push the chair over.

• Don’t leave babies unattended while eating.

• Freestanding high chairs are safer than chairs that connect to the table. If you have that kind of chair, make sure it locks onto the table and that your little one can't use their feet to push off the table and dislodge the chair.

• Make sure the chair is sturdy and can’t be tipped over.

• Be sure folding high chairs are locked when you set them up.

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• Always make sure your kiddo is seated, and always use the safety straps.

Developmental Skills

High chairs allow babies to interact with others at the table, helping to develop social skills.

On occasion, they're also a great environment for other learning opportunities. By setting up activities like puzzles or blocks around their high chair tray, you can allow your baby to explore new materials while encouraging problem-solving skills and creative thinking. 

Having their own space also allows babies to practice self-feeding - which helps them develop fine motor skills and independence during mealtimes.

That being said, it’s important to note that while high chairs are convenient, they should primarily be used for eating. Activity and exploring the environment is essential for physical development and motor skills. 

According to the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations to child care centers, time spent in baby equipment that restricts movement should be limited and babies should be allowed to move freely as much as possible, so as much as you can, try to limit high chair time to eating opportunities.

Convenience

A high chair makes meal times much easier by providing a comfortable spot where your baby can stay throughout the entire meal. 

As little ones reach new developmental milestones, they'll be able to sit quietly for longer periods of time. However, babies may need a little help from you to keep them occupied throughout the meal. You can offer toys, baby plates, and utensils for your kiddo to play with on the tray. This is a huge help, especially when you're at a restaurant or visiting friends or family.

And yes. It's much more convenient for us as caregivers to have only one spot in the kitchen to clean up after the baby eats!

Indeed, babies make a mess when they eat. 

But it’s part of the normal developmental process so finding ways to make clean-up a little easier on you makes mealtime less stressful. Many high chairs come with dishwasher-friendly, removable trays and tray liners which make cleaning up messes after meals quick and easy. 

16mo DS is very independent and I find he actually sits better when it's through his own choice rather than because he's trapped in so we are going to try to big table and chairs from tomorrow he does it at my sisters for dinner so I'm sure he can do it at home too.

We have a big high chair which was fine in our old house but no space for it in the new one and i'm sick to death of putting it up and down!