Inside: Not sure when to stop using the high chair? Learn when it’s time to transition from the high chair to a booster seat with this guide, plus get tips for making the switch easy for you and your toddler.
Is your toddler showing signs of being unhappy in their high chair? Are you wondering if it’s time to make the switch to a booster seat? This article can help you determine if your toddler is done with high chairs.
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Note: Keeping your toddler in the high chair for as long as possible helps keep them and their mess contained. So, think carefully about when you want to move your toddler to the table.
Here are five signs your toddler is ready to stop using the high chair. Plus, get three tips to help you and your child make the transition from the high chair to the booster seat.
When to stop using the high chair
Here are five signs your toddler might be ready to transition out of the high chair.
1. Your toddler doesn’t like the high chair.
Sometimes toddlers or babies don’t like the high chair because it’s connected to a negative mealtime experience for them.
Here are a few reasons babies may not like their high chair:
- They are pressured to eat at mealtimes.
- They don’t like having their face wiped.
- They had a bad eating experience, like vomiting.
- They don’t like being strapped into the chair.
How to help babies like the high chair again
Eliminating pressure from mealtimes can help babies feel more comfortable in their high chair. It can also help with picky eating if you have a picky eater.
Also, letting your child get messy during meals can help them like their high chair again. Allowing your toddler to get messy is an important exposure that helps them learn to eat more foods. Plus, messy eating can also prevent picky eating from getting worse.
Tip for cleaning up after meals: Bring a warm, soft cloth to the table to clean up your baby once the meal is over. For more tips on handling messes, read our blog about dealing with messy eaters.
Are the straps of your toddler’s high chair causing discomfort? You can try to use the chair without the straps if your child doesn’t like them.
If none of these solutions work, your toddler may be ready to move from the high chair to a booster seat.
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Is your child a picky eater? Download our free picky eater’s guide for strategies to manage mealtimes with a selective child and reduce stress.
2. Your toddler wants to sit at the table like you.
Toddlers want to be like their grown-ups. If your toddler notices you are sitting at the table and they are not, they may not like that at all.
They don’t want to sit at the table like a baby. They think they are grown-up, after all!
3. Your toddler is uncomfortable in the high chair.
Many high chairs position children so they are leaning back, away from the tray. Your child may be uncomfortable eating this way.
The high chair may also not have a foot rest. You can fix this by adding a foot rest or getting a toddler high chair with a foot rest.
These things often make a toddler want to wiggle around, get out, and sit somewhere else.
4. Your child is getting out of the high chair unsafely.
Some toddlers can get out of the high chair and the straps. They may be able to unbuckle the harness or wiggle out of them.
Your toddler may be climbing in and out of the chair as well. These can all be safety risks, so it’s better to move your child to a safer seating situation.
5. Your toddler can sit at the table safely.
Sitting safely is an important part of choking prevention. If your toddler is able to sit safely for a few minutes to eat, they may be ready to transition to sitting at the table.
However, if your toddler isn’t able to sit for a few minutes to eat, it is better to keep them safely strapped into the high chair.
Transitioning from a high chair to a booster seat
Once you’ve decided that it’s time for your child to move away from the high chair, you can use these three tips to help you make the transition to a booster seat or toddler chair.
1. Remove the tray and bring the high chair to the table
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Booster seats often aren’t high enough for little toddlers. If you move the high chair up to the table, they may be better supported.
2. Find the right booster seat
Your child will ideally have a footrest and a 90 degree angle at their elbows. You want to find a booster seat that is high enough that they can sit comfortably.
You may also choose to use a toddler high chair, which can help young children sit comfortably at a table.
Here are a few booster seats and toddler high chairs that may be helpful:
- Portable Toddler Feeding Seat with Straps
- Regalo My Chair 2-in-1 Portable Travel Booster Seat
- Keekaroo Height Right Kids Chair
3. Eat with your child
When you eat with your child, they can see you modeling how to eat safely sitting down.
Also, you can talk to them and help them be more interested in the meal. This helps them sit better, which is safer and can help with picky eating.
In the end, your toddler will soon be sitting at the table and enjoying being a big kid!
Expert advice on feeding toddlers
Feeding toddlers can be tricky! Learn how to help your toddler eat better from our team of experts. Check out our toddler feeding course today!
Do you struggle with too much screen time at meals? If so, read our blog to learn how to cut back on screen time during meals.
If your two-year-old doesn’t know how to use a spoon or fork yet, we can teach you how to get your toddler to use utensils.
Make sure your toddler is getting the right amount of protein in our article about protein for kids.
Need help coming up with lunch ideas for daycare or home? Discover tons of easy, healthy lunches for toddlers.
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