The A-b-c Of Choosing A High Chair For Your Baby

Once your baby is strong enough to sit up it is advisable to get a high chair so that the child can be fed properly without slopping things all over the bedclothes or the furniture. It is a nice way of letting the child participate at family meals, too. What are the options you have when shopping for a high chair? Which are the must-haves and which are to be avoided? We'll run through the basics for your benefit.

Stability is the most important criterion for selecting a high chair. The child's weight at the top of the chair raises the chair's center of gravity and makes it unstable. Your baby can easily upset the stability of the chair by sudden movements or by bending over to look at Rex. If this happens, down will come baby, high chair and all! Make sure that the base is wide enough to counter the elevated center of gravity, and prefer a high chair which uses heavy stock towards the base. As an aside, don't leave your child sitting unsupervised in the high chair for more than a few minutes.

Standard high chairs depend on a front rest or tray to prevent baby from falling off the chair. You should avoid these and select a high chair which has proper safety straps to restrain the child. Prefer a high chair with a full five-strap harness. A crotch strap and a waist strap are a must, at the very least.

Babies are apt to spill food or dirty themselves quite often. Choose a high chair with machine-washable cushioning which can be removed, cleaned and fitted back on easily. This will help in maintaining hygiene which is essential to keep your child in good health.

If your child attends family meals then it is a good idea to get toys which can be attached to the high chair. This will keep him amused while the rest of you can enjoy the meal in peace. Just make sure that the toys don't contain substances which can make your child sick, because babies like to put things into their mouth. Also make sure that the toys are unbreakable. The jagged edges of a broken toy can injure your child. Musical rattles and colorful inflatables are a good choice.

Get a high chair which has a convenient way to detach or release the front tray or bar. This will simplify getting the baby in and out of the chair. Choose a chair in which the back can be reclined. This way even infants can lie down and enjoy watching the family at meals. It will be a good idea to get high chair with a way to lower and raise the seat to adjust its height according to the situational requirement. A dinner tray which can be washed in the dishwasher is a welcome feature, as is an additional snack tray.

To summarize, don't consider a chair which is lacking in safety features. After that look for features which will help you maintain hygiene. The other accessories and features depend on your particular requirement and your budget. If this is your first child, get a high chair which is durable enough to be used by the others when they follow in due course of time!

By: Ned Best

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