The High Chair Safety Guide

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The Guide to High Chair Safety

An Introduction To Baby High Chair Safety

Got mealtime madness? Let’s face it; feeding a kid in a high chair is no walk in the park. But with the right high chair, it is easier and safer.

When my son turned 2 ½ he decided he wanted to sit at “mommy and daddy’s” table instead of his high chair. I was sooo happy! He is my first child and I did not know when was the best time for him to move to the table. But also, I was sooo tired of cleaning up that dirty high chair. It was and is (my daughter is using the same high chair now) no fun to clean up after a little one has eaten. We all know that little ones don’t have the best or neatest table manners.

However, it was a safe highchair. I did not want my kiddies to injure themselves. I made sure to get a chair that was easy to use, because if it is easy to use, I am more likely to use the safety features every time.

When I went looking for a high chair, I made sure to test them out, so I needed to see a lot of them. So I went to Babies R Us. They had an entire row of high chairs. You don’t have to buy it there, especially if you can find it cheaper.

I also asked the guy that had to assemble and put all those monstrosities up on display. He told me which one he found to be the easiest and why. Then I compared those with the ones that had the most safety features. A safe high chair should have the following:

A wide base to prevent it from tipping over.

A five-point harness safety belt AND a crotch post (I think that’s what they call it) that sits between a baby's legs to keep her from slipping under the tray.

A safety belt that cannot be undone by your little one.

Some things that I wanted in order for it to be easy to use was…

A tray that had a “one-handed” release system. That way if I am carrying my little one, I don’t have to put him/her down to take the tray off. However, make sure your little one cannot access the release.

An easy fastener on the seat's safety harness. That way I had no excuse but to use it EVERY TIME.

An easy-to-clean seat cover. I made sure that the seat cover was easy to remove. ‘Cause let’s face it. Little ones are not the neatest eaters on the block.

Folding capabilities. I’m not going to lie. I thought I was going to fold up my high chair, but I never did. But this feature is a good idea for those who are cramped for space.

A high chair that can grow with my little one. I made sure the seat was wide, the height was adjustable, and the back could adjust.

All of these tips will not amount to a hill of beans if once you get the high chair home; you are not using it safely everyday. So always make sure to:

Buckle up. The belts keep your little one from falling or sliding under the tray. Always use the restraining straps!

Lock ‘em up. Always lock the wheels, tray, and folding device before using.

Don’t let your little one stand up in the high chair.

Watch them like a hawk! Don’t leave your child unattended in a high chair. Especially the ones that are Houdini escape artists.

Don’t let your little one climb on the chair. High chairs are not trees.

Put your little one in an area where he/she can’t push off of something like a wall or table. They may tip the high chair over.

Remember that the tray is not for preventing falls. Only the safety belt will do that.

Keep potential dangerous things out of reach. Things like cords, wires, or electrical outlets should be kept away from your little one.

Also, make sure your little one can sit up on their own before putting him/her in a high chair. We moms tend to get anxious to move to the next step. But to me, I think it is best to wait until your little one can sit up on his/her own before letting him/her sit in a high chair. That way, there is less of a chance of your little one slouching and slipping under the tray.

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