Safety First: A Comprehensive Guide to Using a Baby High Chair
As soon as a baby turns six months old, most mommies tend to panic about different food items. She can try and introduce new tastes so that the weaning process is smooth. Indeed, what to feed is the prime thought in the mind, but in this pursuit, moms tend to neglect the importance of feeding the right way.
Yes, you read it right; if you are sailing in the same boat, let us highlight the fact that if you feed your child properly, the process ought to be seamless for both of you.
When we say the right feeding ways, we mean seating the child in a correct posture so that the child learns to eat the food quickly and gets accustomed to the feeding ritual without any effort.
So, mommies, let us introduce the baby high chair to you. This ultimate baby product may not be on your list, but it does have a crucial role to play in the routine. Introducing a high chair at the right time is a smart move that we suggest every mommy take.
How Babies Inculcate Different Habits
The infant inculcates a habit of sitting and eating without any distractions. It is seen that children who do not learn to sit in one place in the early days face issues later on as they develop a habit of roaming around, which definitely is not the right approach.
It also helps promote self-feeding as you can hand over some finger foods and let the child explore without creating a mess. So, the earlier you introduce a high chair, the better results you will attain.
Now that we have discussed the importance of a high chair let us share a comprehensive baby high chair usage guide that will help you practice an effective feeding routine. We will also share the critical safety considerations so that there are no unwanted incidents.
Choosing the Right High Chair
The first and most crucial baby high chair safety tip is choosing the right high chair. Every baby is different, and hence, the choice of high chair should be in accordance with the baby's needs and feeding routine.
The best time to introduce a high chair is when the baby is ready, which means that he can sit upright with some support and has a stable neck.
When you search for a high chair, here are some considerations that you need to keep in mind in order to make the right choice:
1. Safety features
An ideal high chair comes with a safety harness to support the baby's body, along with ample back and arm support. Also, an anti-skid base will help keep the chair in place. This is important since small children are full of energy, and they may try moving or indulge in play while eating. Therefore, for safety, restricting movement without compromising comfort is crucial.
2. Age and weight recommendations
You need to consider your baby's age and weight while buying a high chair. Also, if you wish to use this baby gear longer, go for a model that can be adjusted according to the growing baby, which means the weight range has to be decent.
3. Stability and durability
Your baby will be utilising the high chair several times a day, so make sure you choose a durable and stable model.
High chairs are made of different materials, such as metal, PU, and wood, so check the product specifications before buying.
Also Read: How to Choose the Perfect Baby High Chair?
Setting Up Your High Chair
Once you have invested in a good quality product, the next step will be setting it up properly. Here are some significant pointers in the baby high chair safety guide that you need to follow:
1. Proper assembly
Every product comes with a user manual that has all the details of assembling the gear, so it is essential that you check it to achieve perfect installation. Keep an eye on fixing the parts and tighten the bolts properly to repair the structure.
2. Ideal placement in the home
You will reach for the high chair several times a day, so it needs to be placed strategically without restricting movement in the space. If you have a foldable high chair, keep it securely in the corner so that it is easily accessible.
3. Keep it stable
Find the right placement spot in the room so that the gear is stable enough and is placed on an even surface to avoid tumbling over.
Securing Your Baby in the High Chair
To avoid any severe baby high chair mistakes, positioning and securing the baby correctly is the right approach. Here are some tips that will help you:
1. Correct use of harness system
The best-quality high chairs come with a sturdy harness system that can be adjusted to the baby's needs. The baby may not seem to be comfortable initially, but do not give up on it. Use the harness correctly and be patient. He will gradually learn to stay harnessed.
2. Strap adjustment
Your baby will grow swiftly in the first few years, so you will have to make sure that the strap is adjusted accordingly. The strap's purpose is to position the child safely, so it has to be appropriately adjusted, neither too loose nor too tight.
3. Supervise constantly
Even if you follow all the steps correctly, supervision is inevitable. You should keep an eye on the child and avoid leaving him unattended to prevent any mishaps.
Feeding Time Safety
So, everything is in place. Now, let us move to the feeding safety strategy since this will decide your little one's future routine and habits.
1. Appropriate foods
Weaning involves a combination of feeding practices, where you feed the child and instances when you let the baby explore new foods by himself. We recommend that you introduce finger foods, fruits, and easy-to-hold foods so that the child learns independent eating skills.
2. Avoid choking hazards
You need to understand that your child is not a pro and is learning to explore new tastes, but you need to keep any foods that may pose a choking hazard to the learner. Use foods that the child can easily chew upon and break down into smaller units that he can swallow easily.
3. Manage spills and messes
Expect a lot of spills and messes when your child learns independent eating, so be ready to clean up after each meal. To make the process simple, you can use mats on the meal tray.
Also, tie a waterproof apron around the child's neck so that he does not spoil his clothes in this enticing process.
Cleaning and Maintenance
You may have plans to have a mess-free feeding routine, but the truth is far from your belief. The purpose of using a high chair is to let the baby eat independently, and hence, there will be several instances when you will have to clean it up immediately.
The frequency of such incidents will significantly decrease with practice over time. However, we still suggest that you clean the chair entirely at least once a day to keep away dirt and unwanted germs and bacteria so that the kiddo does not fall ill.
1. Daily cleaning
Wipe the high chair properly with a damp cloth so that there aren't stubborn stains or foul smells. Daily cleaning will help manage the hygiene routine easily and keep the baby away from any infections or health issues.
2. Deep cleaning
We recommend you deep clean the high chair at least once a week or in case of a spill. There may be some incidents when the baby would spit or vomit the food, so it will be best to deep clean the gear in such cases.
Deep cleaning involves using a mild, baby-safe detergent to clean the chair frame. Remove the cushion on the seat and back to wash it thoroughly in a light machine wash cycle. In case of any concern, refer to the user manual and please follow the directives for best results.
3. Safety checks
Frequent product usage will lead to wear and tear over time, so you should check for spare parts and ensure safe installation every time, especially in the case of foldable high chairs. Replace any worn-out parts immediately, and do not risk the safety of the baby.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We have discussed all the dos on the high chair usage list, so now let us focus on the don'ts. Never leave your baby unattended when he is positioned in the high chair, no matter how securely you have harnessed him. Also, do not remove the meal tray during feeding since this will fail the ultimate purpose of independent feeding.
Improper tray use has been a common concern since mothers feel they do not need it when they are feeding, but it is vital since the baby will learn and get comfortable only when the meal tray is regularly used for keeping the meals.
Supervise your child and see that he does not stand or climb on the high chair seat even if he has finished eating. This is very risky, and the child can tumble over in no time, which can lead to severe injuries. So, avoid developing such habits for best long-term usage.
Transitioning Out of the High Chair
Your child will soon be an independent eater, but you need to practice it for a few months until he becomes a pro. Once your child has grown enough and shows signs of readiness, it is time to transition out of the high chair and move to a regular table feeding routine.
The next step of the transition is an age-appropriate table chair where the child can sit comfortably and eat himself. In such scenarios, convertible high chairs are the best investment since once the child grows, the chair can be separated from the top and used as a table chair set.
So, you should consider this point when buying a high chair for your baby. Reputed brands like R for Rabbit offer durable and functional convertible high chairs at reasonable prices that you can use for years down the line.
Key Takeaways
As mommies, you now have exhaustive information about the optimal use of baby high chairs and safety considerations that you need to be vigilant about for the safety of the child. An efficiently designed high chair will help you achieve a fantastic feeding experience and let your kiddo have the freedom to explore, which plays a crucial role in the long run.
Make sure you stay patient and consistent in practising the safety measures to attain the desired results and have a happy, healthy baby. Remember, it is a crucial transition to independent living, so make it engaging.
