Feeding
your child solid foods will start at approximately 6 months or when suggested by your Pediatrician.
Many
people will try to initially feed their child in a swing, bouncy chair
or stroller and the results are usually quite disastrous! Since babies
are very messy eaters, you’ll spend far too much time cleaning your
swing, bouncy chair, etc than you will want to! The only way to
successfully feed your child with a minimum amount of mess and maximum
amount of ingestion is in a high chair. High chairs are available in
many different shapes, sizes and colours. If space is an issue the first
few months, then a Bumbo
would be the way to go. The Bumbo is made of non-toxic foam that only
requires a quick wipe down with a damp cloth when it gets dirty. It
holds an infant’s body upright to allow them to sit up as young as 3
months (as long as they have good head control). Remember - the Bumbo
CANNOT be placed on a table or a chair as it has no straps, but it can
be used on the floor, with or without a tray.
Let
us explain to you the many possible features and uses of a highchair,
and this will help you make your decision when it comes time to
purchase yours. Please remember your child will eat a minimum of 3
meals and possibly several snacks a day, so it is important to make the
right choice in this department.
RECLINING:
This feature is very important when the child is very young and still
getting the hang of sitting up. When the solid feedings start, it will
take a lot of energy for your baby to digest all the new yummy food, so
much to the point of exhaustion. This is followed by the classic photo
that many a parent possesses of a sleeping baby head down in a bowl of
pasta! A reclining seat will probably make feeding time for your
little munchkin a little more enjoyable if they can be reclined at a
comfortable angle. When your child does appear sleepy or is simply out
of sorts a reclined position is definitely far more comfortable and
since the work in the kitchen never seems to be complete, your child
might as well be comfortable while you complete your chores.
WHEELS:
Simple. Wheels allow you to move the chair out of the way and if the
food simply becomes a little too spread out it allows for easy
maneuvering in the direction of the sink for clean up.
ADJUSTABLE
HEIGHT: This feature allows your chair to be adjusted for a
comfortable fit at most tables and also allows you to dramatically
reduce its size when folded. This feature is handy when socializing
your infant with toddlers by keeping them safely contained at the
appropriate level of play or when snacking at a junior sized table.
REMOVEABLE
TRAY: Definitely allows for easy cleaning and let’s face it this is an
extremely messy job. Also makes for easy access and removal of your
child if the tray completely removes.
WIPEABLE COVER/LINER: The cover has to be wipeable or you will find yourself laundering or even replacing it.
FOLDING: Allows for easy portability and storage of this otherwise bulky item.
Tip
1: The biggest complaint with this product is the fact that they seem
very wide at the base. This is a standard that has to be executed to
prevent the chair tipping over with a child’s sudden lunging or bouncing
motion and as the chair sits quite high the base therefore must sit
wider to accommodate this.
Tip
2: If you’re planning on traveling, then you may want to also
purchase a travel booster suitable from infant to toddler. They are
usually plastic, portable and adjustable.
The award winning Peg Perego Prima Pappa Highchair
has many of the things you could possibly need or want in a highchair.
It is designed for mealtime as well as napping with its 4 position
reclining padded seat. It has a five point harness to keep your baby
secure as well as an anatomic leg divider to prevent them from slipping
down. The dishwasher safe double tray allows the parent to clean up
while the baby can play with a toy on the remaining tray. It also has 3
adjustable height positions, allowing you sit in a chair and
comfortably feed your baby. Available in two eco-leather options.
Alternative styling to the classic highchair described above is the Tripp Trapp from Stokke.
It is more compact and definitely more conducive to the shape and
styling of the modern day kitchen/dinning room. Stokke’s philosophy is
about bringing the baby closer to you, and them being part of your meal
time. The chair is meant to be placed right at the table, as if it is
one of your kitchen/dining room chairs. The Tripp Trapp is a solid wood
product offered in several fantastic colours, with several styles of
cushions and accessories sold separately. The Stokke can be converted
from high chair to booster, to desk chair, with a maximum weight
capacity of 300lbs!
Portable High Chair
Life
with a toddler seems to never stop. Therefore, having a portable high
chair is the way to go. Some will clip right onto the table, others will
attach to any chair with a back. Either way, they work well with a busy
lifestyle.
Boosters
If
your older toddler is growing out of the highchair you will probably
need a booster. Sitting little ones directly on the chair tends to leave
them too low for socializing at the table, and eating properly, and
this is something that they need to practice too. They no longer need to
be harnessed, and no longer need the tray of a high chair (since they
can feed themselves much better now). The booster will put them at a
comfortable height for everything. We have a selection of boosters
offering variations of styles, sizes, and portability options as well
as some options with a removable tray for the messy eaters.
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