Any parent anxious to get their kid into a high chair quickly understands the benefits of this stage of development. However, a few things to remember if you want to keep your baby safe and comfortable in their high chair.
For both mom and dad, mealtimes become a lot less hassle when their baby is old enough to sit up in a high chair. It's possible that you'll even be able to complete your supper. Be sure the baby (and you) are ready.
Let's explore the signals your kid is ready to sit upright and safety guidelines for moving to a high chair.
What Do High Chairs Mean?
High chairs are specially designed seats for infants and toddlers to sit in while being fed or eating a meal. The chair's seat can be adjusted to the parent's height whether they are standing or sitting to feed the child.
During mealtimes or when the child is eating alone, a tray is normally on the boom to hold utensils and food.
Additionally, the high chair often has a wide base for increased stability, and some are equipped with seat belts to safely secure the infant.
Is Your Baby Ready to Sit Up Straight?
Babies can often sit upright between four and six months, the average being closer to six months.
How can you know whether your kid is sitting correctly?
Make sure your baby's head and neck are as stable as possible without using pillows. Babies can accomplish this for a few minutes at the beginning of this stage, but they get tired if they are not ready to hold the position for an extended period on their own. A head flop or hunch in their sitting position indicates they are too shaky. It is not yet time.
When your baby is sitting, their shoulders should be straight, and their arms should be free to move. For babies, this means that they can use their hands more freely and investigate the world around them without having to spend all their energy maintaining an upright position.
You should continue to allow your baby to practice in a safe location with your full attention if they can't maintain this upright position on their own. The strength of your baby will soon improve, and you will know that they are ready to be born.
How to Make the Safe Switch to a High Chair
To ensure your child's safety when using a high chair, remember these general safety guidelines-
- Before putting your baby in the high chair for the first time, ensure you and any other family member or caregivers are comfortable using it. Understand the leg locking mechanism, how the straps adjust and lock, the tray attachment and removal procedure, and how to fold and unfold the chair (if it folds).
- Ensure the high chair is certified and meets the recommended safety criteria before using it with your child. The majority of specialists advise against using a used chair.
- Keep an eye on your child when they're in the high chair.
- You should have everything you need accessible but not within reach of your babies, such as drinks, wipes, and additional baby utensils. So that you don't have to sit your baby down and then run about the kitchen getting the food ready, start preparing the meal in advance. When your infant is young, it's a ideal way to teach them that family meals are only served when everyone is seated at the table.
- Make sure your baby's feet are supported with a footrest that can be adjusted.
- Before each usage, inspect it for damage and make sure the tray, chair, and straps are still in place.
- Avoid placing the chair too close to a counter, table, or wall. Using this surface, your infant can push off and topple the chair independently.
- At dinner, keep your infant close enough to see your family but far enough away from the table to keep them away from sharp, hot, or glass items.
- Always use a 3- or 5-point harness to keep your baby secure in the chair. Babies trying to stand in their chairs cause the majority of the mishaps. Always use high chair safety straps.
Key Points To Be Considered
- Your infant is not ready for solid meals if they cannot sit up alone. If their head and shoulders are tilted to one side, their airway will not be completely open. Since their neck will be bent, your child will have difficulties moving food around in their mouth and swallowing it coordinatedly.
- Sitting with your neck bowed and looking down at your lap is one way to get a sense of what it's like. Try to suck it in now. You'll discover that it's not particularly effective or pleasurable.
- This is a must-do exercise whether you're nursing your baby, giving him a bottle, or trying to get him to eat solids.
- It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with these skills so you know what to look for when deciding whether or not your baby is ready to sit up independently.
- If your child can sit up without help, they are ready for solid food and a high chair.
When your child has been introduced to solid foods, a high chair can be a practical method to help them start eating on their own. In addition, eating meals together as a family is a great way to help your child establish good eating habits.