Parentpedia

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From your baby's first Cheerio to her first birthday cake and every meal in between, a high chair is essential equipment for feeding time. High chairs are her ticket to independence when she's ready to start self-feeding. They're convenient for parents, too. (You can't beat those removable lipped trays when it comes to easy serving and clean-up.) A high chair can also free you up to dine alongside your little one.

Of course, it's important to use it safely. A baby in a tall chair is top-heavy, and it's a long way to the floor. That's why it's critical to always use the safety restraints, keep them properly adjusted to keep her seated, and avoid situations where the chair might rock or tip and eventually fall.

Children who are not securely buckled are also at risk of slipping under the feeding tray and strangling. Many of today's models are designed with a post between the legs and a five-point harness to eliminate this situation, but it's still important that you be on the watch anytime your baby is seated in her high chair.

Start with a safe high chair:

• Make sure the high chair you select has a wide base to prevent tip-over. Look for easy-to-adjust waist and crotch straps that will keep from standing up or sliding below the tray. Most high chairs on the market today have five-point harnesses plus a post that sits between a baby's legs to keep her safely seated. Check that the buckle cannot be undone by a young child. If the chair has wheels, make sure they can be locked.
• Considering a secondhand chair? Make sure all straps are in good condition and the buckles are working properly. Check the points where straps attach to the seat and buckles. Make sure the chair has not been recalled.

Then keep every meal safe:

• Read the manufacturer's directions that come with the high chair before you use it.
• Always keep your baby in your sight when she's in the high chair.
• Think of meal time like drive time. Buckle her securely every time you use the high chair, just like you do in the car.
• Feeding trays may look like a security feature, but their job is to hold the food, not the baby, so again, use restraint straps.
• Position the high chair out of reach of anything she could push off of and tip over the high chair, such as a counter or wall.
• If the high chair folds, make sure the safety latch is locked before you use it.
• Don't let your baby climb into the high chair unsupervised.
• Keep older siblings from hanging on the chair or tray, which could tip the chair over.
• Readjust seat straps as your baby grows.