An Introduction To Baby High Chair Safety

by Matthew Byrd

Baby highchairs are something you?ll need for your child as soon as they are old enough to sit up on their own; this is typically around six months of age. There are some models which recline to be suitable for infants, but in general, you won?t need one until your child can sit up.

Many of the features offered by highchairs are made with the parent or other caretaker in mind more so than for the child. However, padded seat covers and height adjustability definitely make for a more comfortable seat for your child, as do adjustable foot rests ? these allow the chair to be adjusted to accommodate the needs of your growing child. Wheels are a great feature for parents but are not necessary for the comfort of your child (but parents will definitely appreciate them). There are also a lot of models of highchair which are foldable for ease of storage.

Many modern highchairs can be easily turned into play tables with an over-the-tray insert, quickly turning the highchair into a play table for your child. You can also choose highchairs with extra large trays (this keeps the mess on the tray instead of the floor). Inset cup holders are found in most baby highchairs as well.

Your baby's highchair needs to be stable so that it will not tip over if they lean over the side; something which babies will do from time to time. Your highchair should have a broad base to prevent tipping - and of course, you'll want to teach your baby to sit up when they are in their high chair.

You can choose from a few different materials when looking for highchairs; there are wooden chairs (very durable, but generally not adjustable), plastic ones (easy to clean, but less sturdy than wood) and metal framed chairs with plastic trays (the most popular choice).

There are things you can do to make the highchair safe place to be. Never leave your child unattended to go grab a bib, food, or answer the phone. It only takes a second for your baby to have an accident. You should have everything ready before putting your child in the chair.

Your child should always be strapped into the highchair without exception. The feeding tray will not prevent your baby from slipping under it and falling to the floor and possibly incurring an injury. If an older child slips under the tray they could get stuck and get injured.

Foldable highchairs need to be locked open before you seat your child. You should test your chair's locking mechanism regularly to ensure that this is in good shape.

Do not place the highchair near any place that the baby could push off from and possibly have an accident. Also do not place your baby?s chair near any wires that can be pulled on. All cords should be out of reach anyway.

Keep your child's fingers away from the tray as you lock it onto the highchair to prevent pinches and cuts. Make sure that the tray is secure by giving it a soft tug. A tray which is loose can be dangerous for your infant.

Check your child?s high chair regularly to make sure everything is in good shape and working properly. A torn seat cover could lead to your child swallowing pieces of the foam cover, stripped locks could keep the tray from staying in place and worn straps can break. Make sure that the feeding tray is not chipped or cracked, since this can cause injury and be a home for bacteria. Before buying a used chair, be sure to check all of the above.

About the Author:

Dr. Matthew Byrd, PhD is an expert on children and baby issues, and enjoys writing 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.