Nov. 28, 2023
Furniture
Toddlerhood is full of transitions, and mealtime is no exception. Moving your child from the high chair to the table is an exciting change that can help create a more all-inclusive environment while eating, especially during family meals.
When and how to transition your toddler from the high chair to the table depends on their eating habits and physical development. While there are no hard-and-fast rules, we’ve rounded up a few guidelines to help you and your little one navigate the transition from the high chair to the table.
Although there’s no specific age, your toddler will typically be ready to move away from the high chair anywhere between 18 months and 3 years of age. During this range, they’re steady enough to keep themselves upright for longer periods of time, but may still be a bit wiggly. Don’t worry if they aren’t completely stable or tall enough to reach the table; booster seats can be used to bridge the gap and help ease the transition.
Like many transitions during early childhood, your toddler will likely let you know when they’re ready to make the move. If your child is becoming increasingly fussy during mealtime in the high chair, they may be trying to express a desire for eating with the rest of the family. This might be accelerated if your toddler has an older sibling who they notice isn’t in a high chair—they’ll want to be a “big kid” at the table, too.
Another sign can be your child’s physical development: Your toddler might simply be getting too big for the high chair. If you notice they seem uncomfortable or are trying to climb out, it may be time to switch to a booster seat at the table. Additionally, if your toddler has both the desire and dexterity to feed themselves with utensils, they’re probably ready for a bit more independence during mealtime.
The transition from the high chair can and should be eased by a booster seat. Booster seats can range anywhere from ultra-safe with snaps and additional safety features to simple booster seat pads that just give your toddler a boost. Like finding the perfect high chair, the search for a booster seat to fit your toddler’s needs depends on your child’s development and your family’s lifestyle. When you feel you and your child are ready, there are a few seating options to help the transition go smoothly.
A dining booster seat is portable, space-saving and easy to clean, making it an ideal choice both at home and while dining away.
Additional reading:Some booster seats are equipped with a snap-on tray, which might suit your child if they’re between stages—that is, if they’re ready to do away with the high chair, but not quite ready to sit at the table.
Remember, there’s no set age that your child should graduate from the high chair. If it takes a little longer to get them in a booster at the table, that’s OK. The most important thing is that your child stays safe—and that mealtime is an enjoyable experience for all involved.
In a year full of what feels like nonstop transitions, you may now find yourself trying to decide when the right time is for another one: the time to move Baby out of their high chair.
Most children transition into a new seating arrangement some time between 18 and 24 months, though some toddlers show signs of readiness sooner, and others may remain content in their high chairs well into their preschool years.
Unlike many baby devices that have strict weight limits, most high chairs are designed to hold children up to 50 pounds, so there’s a good chance your decision about when to move Baby will depend more on their maturity level, what your family wants, and how quickly they pick up table manners than it will depend on their size.
This one depends mostly on the way Baby acts at mealtime. If they start to get fussy at the dinner table, there’s a chance they are trying to tell you they want to “fit in” better with the family. High chairs can feel isolating to toddlers – after all, they literally put children on another level from the rest of the family. Certainly, if Baby starts trying to climb out of their high chair, it’s a clear sign it’s time to make the shift to ensure their safety. Short of that, though, the right time to switch is mostly your call to make – well, yours and Baby’s.
Children can safely transition to a booster seat once they are consistently sitting up and supporting their body weight on their own – typically between 9 and 12 months. However, the fact that Baby is physically capable of sitting in a booster seat doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to put the high chair in storage. If Baby is happy and comfortable in the high chair, there’s no rush to make the switch.
There are many brands and style options to choose from when buying a booster seat, and some high chairs even convert to boosters. Boosters lack the security of a five-point harness that high chairs provide, so it’s important not to make the switch until you feel your little one is ready. For their safety, you can find a model that has a strap for their body, as well as one that straps to the chair, which will prevent sliding. It’s also important to make sure the booster is compatible with your dining set, since some seats only safely attach to dining chairs that do not have cushions. Lastly, the seat should be low enough when pulled up to the table to give Baby some leg room, otherwise, you may end up dealing with the same isolation-induced tantrums as when they felt too far away in their high chair.
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