One of the most important things you will purchase for that new baby in the house is a baby high chair. This used to be a simple matter of going to the store and buying the one style they had there. Remember the wooden ones with just a lap belt and those hard to manage sliding trays? Anybody over about 40 years old will recall those.
But time has marched on and child safety has been a focus for many years. This has resulted in a lot of improvements over the years. That has left many parents with the question of which high chair to buy. So here are some things to look for in your new baby high chair.
Has your high chair been inspected by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association? Look for a label saying that it has; this means that someone has inspected it before it got to your store and into your home.
Baby high chairs should have a wide leg base for stability. The wider the legs are apart, the more stable the chair will be. Also look at what the legs are made of. Solid plastic, metal or wood are best as they will not fold or bend easily. Hollow materials are not as sturdy.
How does the high chair hold the baby safe? A good three or five point restraint system is what you are going to need to look for. A lap belt has a single point of restraint, and because of that, a baby can slip underneath it and maybe even get caught in it, providing a strangulation hazard. Three and five point restraint systems are now an industry standard, so they are going to be very easy to find!
Many parents wonder when their child is going to be ready for a high chair. The general answer is roughly around the age of six months, when they are ready for solid food, but a good chair can be used before that if you want a place for your child at the table. Look for a chair with a reclining back because it will let your younger infant sleep comfortably. It keeps your baby in a position that stops his head from falling forward.
Bring your baby to the store when you go to buy the high chair. This will make choosing a lot easier and the choice a better one. Some babies love soft seats, while others prefer hard ones. Which one does your baby prefer and which one does he or she sit happily in? This is a great way to decide.
Ah, here we are at the crux of the decision. Is the tray easily hooked/unhooked while keeping baby safe? Can the baby reach the mechanisms and possibly pinch himself? Are there any sharpies under there?
Make sure that your baby's safety is your priority. Find a baby high chair that is safe for you and for your baby, and get one that suits you both!
But time has marched on and child safety has been a focus for many years. This has resulted in a lot of improvements over the years. That has left many parents with the question of which high chair to buy. So here are some things to look for in your new baby high chair.
Has your high chair been inspected by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association? Look for a label saying that it has; this means that someone has inspected it before it got to your store and into your home.
Baby high chairs should have a wide leg base for stability. The wider the legs are apart, the more stable the chair will be. Also look at what the legs are made of. Solid plastic, metal or wood are best as they will not fold or bend easily. Hollow materials are not as sturdy.
How does the high chair hold the baby safe? A good three or five point restraint system is what you are going to need to look for. A lap belt has a single point of restraint, and because of that, a baby can slip underneath it and maybe even get caught in it, providing a strangulation hazard. Three and five point restraint systems are now an industry standard, so they are going to be very easy to find!
Many parents wonder when their child is going to be ready for a high chair. The general answer is roughly around the age of six months, when they are ready for solid food, but a good chair can be used before that if you want a place for your child at the table. Look for a chair with a reclining back because it will let your younger infant sleep comfortably. It keeps your baby in a position that stops his head from falling forward.
Bring your baby to the store when you go to buy the high chair. This will make choosing a lot easier and the choice a better one. Some babies love soft seats, while others prefer hard ones. Which one does your baby prefer and which one does he or she sit happily in? This is a great way to decide.
Ah, here we are at the crux of the decision. Is the tray easily hooked/unhooked while keeping baby safe? Can the baby reach the mechanisms and possibly pinch himself? Are there any sharpies under there?
Make sure that your baby's safety is your priority. Find a baby high chair that is safe for you and for your baby, and get one that suits you both!
About the Author:
Dr. Matthew Byrd, PhD is an expert on caring for babies, and enjoys sharing his knowledge about baby high chairs. He maintains a baby high chair website where you can browse the selection and purchase the perfect baby baby high chair.
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