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- Baby can sit in a high chair when they have the head, neck, and upper body strength to sit upright, usually around 4-7 months.
- Choose a level space and use the locking mechanism to prevent accidental folding and falls.
- Look for a high chair that meets safety standards and has features such as easy cleaning, portability, and solid construction.
Meal-time is ready for a change! Your baby’s days of breast or bottle-only feeding are numbered. And, that means a high chair is on the horizon. But you’re not sure if your little one is ready for this transition yet.
Before you invest in a feeding seat, you need to make sure your baby is ready to sit in a high chair on their own. This means learning more about gross motor development, the milestones to look for, and the types of high chairs you have to choose from. If your kiddo is on the verge of starting solids, we’ve got you covered with the answers you need about high chairs, feeding your infant, and more!
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When can baby sit in a high chair?
There isn’t one age for all babies to move into a high chair. The timing of this transition depends on your child’s individual gross (large) motor development and the type of feeding seat you select. To safely sit in this type of chair, your infant will need to have the head, neck, and upper body strength and coordination to hold themselves upright – that is, unless you choose a reclining chair.
While a reclining chair does offer a way for younger babies to sit in this type of seat, your little one should never eat their meals on an incline. In other words, your kiddo needs to sit up straight before they chow down on pureed carrots and sweet potatoes.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many infants can hold their head steady without support by four-months. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that between four and seven-months most babies can sit up unassisted or with a pillow for added balance. As soon as your child has met this mark and is ready for solids, they can sit in a high chair.
Recommendations from the AAP state that infants should only have breast milk (if you are nursing) until age six months. At six months most infants are ready to start eating some solid foods. Provided your child can sit on their own, hold their head up, and is ready for solids, it’s likely they are ready for a high chair.
Important safety tips for using a high chair
Safety is a top priority. If your child has the motor skills to sit in a high chair, the next step is learning how to use this type of feeding seat safely. Always follow your pediatrician or medical provider’s advice and the chair’s manufacturer’s guidelines. This includes recommendations for age, setup, use, and care. Along with these guidelines:
Stop falls by choosing a level setup space and using a locking mechanism
Never place your child’s high chair on an uneven surface. This includes carpets or flooring or different heights. If the chair seems wobbly or leans/slants, find another space in your home to use it. After finding the just-right spot for the chair, make sure to use the locking mechanism to reduce the risk of unintentional mid-use folding accidents.
Keep your baby’s high chair far away from furniture, countertops, or other similar surfaces
Your curious kiddo could reach out and grab the nearest table, shelf, or other solid object and use it to push themselves – and their chair! . This could pose a serious tip and fall risk.
Always supervise your child when they are in their high chair
Even though a high chair has safety straps or a harness to hold your baby in, this type of feeding seat is not a substitute for supervision. Never leave your baby unattended while they are eating or sitting in their chair.
Never allow your child to play on or near their high chair
A high chair looks like a climber to your independent explorer. But, unlike gross motor toys and equipment, this chair is not built for play. Don’t allow your child to crawl near the chair’s base or use the frame to pull themselves up.
As you shop for a high chair, combine safety with form and function. While safety features – such as a harness and locking mechanism – should come first on your list of must-haves, you may also want:
- Easy-to-clean fabric/material
- Weight and age recommendations
- Assembly
- Extras or add-ons (such as a tray table toy)
- Portability
- Compact fold
- Transitional or grow-with-your-child features
- Solid construction
- Aesthetics or appearance
Any chair that you buy should meet all federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. A Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) or ASTM International certification are other designations to look for.
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