When To Switch From High Chair To Booster Seat

When to switch from high chair to booster seat? The answer can be different depending on when they start using the table and when the arm of the chair reaches their chest.

The most important thing is that you make sure they are comfortable and safe when eating, so don’t rush this transition. Here’s what you need to know about when to swap out for a booster seat:

When To Switch From High Chair To Booster Seat

 

When To Switch From High Chair To Booster Seat

High chair, booster seat. If you’re wondering when it’s time to switch your little one from a high chair to a booster seat that sits on top of the regular dining room chairs at home or the restaurant table at the local diner, here are some guidelines for making sure they are properly protected while enjoying their mealtime experience.

The age range for using either type of seating is usually around six months until 36 months old.  However, every child will be different and may grow out of these earlier than others so make sure you always check with your pediatrician before allowing them into any type of seating arrangement if this has not been discussed previously.

When transitioning away from a highchair, many parents choose to use an infant-to-toddler booster seat that attaches to a dining room chair and is safe for the size and age of their child so they can enjoy sitting at mealtime with everyone else.

This type of seating works well because it will allow your child to sit upright on their own, be able to see all around them, and have access to reach any items needed right from their place setting as you use an attached tray if desired. 

You also don’t need anything other than this one unit which makes storage easy when not in use or even traveling out for meals.

In fact, many parents tend toward using these types of chairs over those that attach directly into the highchair simply because they are more versatile it can transition along with your child through their growing years and they can use it at the table in your home or even when dining out.

You want to make sure you choose a booster seat that is easy to clean with little crevices for food bits and pieces so you don’t have any issues keeping things sanitary while using this type of seating arrangement.  Since children are not always the most graceful, spills will happen.  

 

When Can My Baby Use A Booster Seat At The Table?

A child can sit in a booster seat at the table when they have outgrown their high chair as well as reached the weight and height requirements for sitting on a normal dining room chair. In most cases, this is between four to eight years old or around 40-60 lbs depending upon your specific guidelines.

Always use caution with children using boosters by watching them carefully during feedings to make sure that they do not slip under the lap belt portion of a three-point harness system which could cause serious injuries if they were unable to free themselves from it quickly enough. 

It’s also extremely important that you never leave your baby unattended while seated in one any type of car seat, but especially those found at restaurants because there are simply too many ways that a child could slip out of the seat and fall or be injured.

 

How Do I Stop My Toddler From Climbing Out Of The Booster Seat?

It’s never a bad idea to make sure your child is properly restrained in their seat. If you find that they are still trying to get out of the chair, try tightening the chest strap and hip belt by pulling them through the adjuster until it fits more snugly on your toddler.

You may also need to tighten both straps at once since most buckles have a “ratchet system” which will only allow for one side of each clip to be tightened at a time.

Once you feel confident that your little one won’t fall or jump from their spot, continuously checking with them can help remind yourself not to let go of this safety habit over time. 

Another useful tip for dealing with children trying to climb out of their highchairs is putting them on the highest setting by removing one or both legs from underneath until they are large enough not to be able to fit through the tray opening.

It may mean more work for you if your toddler does manage this feat but it will definitely prevent any accidents caused when they fall down onto hard surfaces below which can happen very easily. This technique works best on the cheaper, lower chairs which have a fixed tray height.

It is also worth noting that there are some specific highchair models where it will be impossible for your toddler to climb out even if they try their hardest because of certain design features.

These include those with wider or thicker trays and more widely spaced legs but these may not always fit in any given kitchen so you might need to do some testing before deciding on one.

It can sometimes be easier just to leave them up at home rather than risk having an accident every time you take him/her out somewhere else though as long as your child isn’t unhappy sitting up this way (another reason why getting them into good habits early is important).

Finally, if your child is still determined to get out of the chair then you can try putting him/her in seatbelts or clips which will attach them to their chairs.

This should be considered a last resort, though, as it restricts movement and may become uncomfortable for longer periods over time so shouldn’t generally be used unless there are no other options available.

 

What Comes After A High Chair?

A booster seat. Booster seats are a great way to give your child the ability to sit at the table with you without requiring a full-size chair and safety strap.

There is no law that says once they outgrow their highchair, they have to move on from being confined in one spot or needing aid when sitting down or standing up – as long as their feet touch the ground while seated. 

A good quality booster will offer sturdy support for kids who can sit by themselves but still benefit from having something behind them if needed.

If it has adjustable straps, those should be easy enough to use even with limited dexterity due to arthritis symptoms that may accompany aging – just make sure there’s not too much slack left hanging.

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