One of the most important things you will purchase for that new baby in the house is a baby high chair. This used to be a simple matter of going to the store and buying the one style they had there. Remember the wooden ones with just a lap belt and those hard to manage sliding trays? Anybody over about 40 years old will recall those.
But time has marched on and child safety has been a focus for many years. This has resulted in a lot of improvements over the years. That has left many parents with the question of which high chair to buy. So here are some things to look for in your new baby high chair.
Most baby items are inspected prior to being sold to the public. Look for a label from an organization called the "Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association". This lets you know that the chair has been certified by the experts.
When looking for stability and steadiness, look for a wide leg base. The widely placed the legs are, the less likely the baby seat is to topple. You are also going to find that solid legs made out of wood, plastic or metal are much, much more stable than legs that are hollow.
How does the high chair hold the baby safe? A good three or five point restraint system is what you are going to need to look for. A lap belt has a single point of restraint, and because of that, a baby can slip underneath it and maybe even get caught in it, providing a strangulation hazard. Three and five point restraint systems are now an industry standard, so they are going to be very easy to find!
Experts would say that baby could be placed safely in a high chair around the time they start solid foods, so at about 6 months. You can use a chair before that point if you just want a place for baby at table with the family, buy only under strict supervision. A reclining seat back is best here because very young infants will sleep most of the time. The reclining position prevents the head from falling forward, hurting the neck.
Seat cushions are available in all models of high chairs. Some kids may like a hard seat; others may prefer a soft one. Depends on the child, so the best way to pick the right one is to take the baby with you to the store and put him/her in the chair, then judge their reaction. This is almost foolproof.
Ah, here we are at the crux of the decision. Is the tray easily hooked/unhooked while keeping baby safe? Can the baby reach the mechanisms and possibly pinch himself? Are there any sharpies under there?
Be sure to inspect these areas closely before you lay down your bucks, folks. At the end of the day, the safety of your child is your responsibility. So take it upon yourself to make absolute certain the baby high chair is safe for you and the baby. Nobody knows your baby better than you do. - 22783
But time has marched on and child safety has been a focus for many years. This has resulted in a lot of improvements over the years. That has left many parents with the question of which high chair to buy. So here are some things to look for in your new baby high chair.
Most baby items are inspected prior to being sold to the public. Look for a label from an organization called the "Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association". This lets you know that the chair has been certified by the experts.
When looking for stability and steadiness, look for a wide leg base. The widely placed the legs are, the less likely the baby seat is to topple. You are also going to find that solid legs made out of wood, plastic or metal are much, much more stable than legs that are hollow.
How does the high chair hold the baby safe? A good three or five point restraint system is what you are going to need to look for. A lap belt has a single point of restraint, and because of that, a baby can slip underneath it and maybe even get caught in it, providing a strangulation hazard. Three and five point restraint systems are now an industry standard, so they are going to be very easy to find!
Experts would say that baby could be placed safely in a high chair around the time they start solid foods, so at about 6 months. You can use a chair before that point if you just want a place for baby at table with the family, buy only under strict supervision. A reclining seat back is best here because very young infants will sleep most of the time. The reclining position prevents the head from falling forward, hurting the neck.
Seat cushions are available in all models of high chairs. Some kids may like a hard seat; others may prefer a soft one. Depends on the child, so the best way to pick the right one is to take the baby with you to the store and put him/her in the chair, then judge their reaction. This is almost foolproof.
Ah, here we are at the crux of the decision. Is the tray easily hooked/unhooked while keeping baby safe? Can the baby reach the mechanisms and possibly pinch himself? Are there any sharpies under there?
Be sure to inspect these areas closely before you lay down your bucks, folks. At the end of the day, the safety of your child is your responsibility. So take it upon yourself to make absolute certain the baby high chair is safe for you and the baby. Nobody knows your baby better than you do. - 22783
About the Author:
Dr. Matthew Byrd, PhD is an expert on caring for babies, and enjoys sharing his knowledge 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.
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