When to Stop Using High Chair?

It is undeniable that keeping babies still when they are young is a rather difficult task, especially during meals. To help parents deal with the constant stress of worrying about their children falling over and hurting themselves, manufacturers came up with the idea of making high chairs.

High chairs are used by many parents all over the world, whether they are new at parenting or if they already have prior experience. However, knowing when to stop using high chair may be pretty confusing to new parents since even after they are three years old, some children may still seem unable to sit on their own.

Sounds like you? Read on to find out when to stop using the high-chair for your baby and let them get accustomed to sitting on their own during meals.

When to Stop Using High Chair

Let’s learn about the time when you have to stop your kid from using a high chair.

When They are Able to Get Out with Ease

This is one of the biggest giveaways that your child no longer needs a high chair. If they can manage their way out of the constraints of a high chair, it means that they are old enough to analyze situations like that and think on their own about what they want.

Usually, this will happen once they are around 2.5 to 3.5 years of age, but it could also happen sooner than that. However, try not to keep them in the high chair for longer than the stated period because they will start to develop an unhealthy habit of always sitting there, and it will be difficult for you to get rid of it in the future.

Ideally, try to use the high chair less frequently after your baby is past three years of age.

When They Want to Sit with Everyone Else

Kids usually like to imitate the people they are closer to or the people around them. Once your child starts to realize that he/she is the only one sitting in a high chair, they will start wanting to sit on a regular chair just like the rest of the people in the house.

If you are a working parent and leave your child at the daycare for the most part of the day, then this could also be a major reason behind them wishing to sit at the table on a regular chair.

This is because they have grown accustomed to doing so in the daycare, where kids usually do not sit on high chairs unless they are too young (usually a year or two old).

When you see your child displaying similar behavior, it is time for you to take them out of the high chair and help them sit properly at the dinner table.

When They Do Not Want to Sit on One Specific Chair

Usually, when your child is on the verge of developing a new habit, be it a good one or a bad one, they are more likely to show changes in their regular behavior. If your child keeps insisting that they do not want to sit in their high chair anymore, then this is a clear sign that it is time to move them out of it.

When They Seem Steady on Their Own

Occasionally, try to leave your child to sit by themselves instead of keeping a hand on their back all the time. While doing this, however, do make sure that your child is sitting on a well-cushioned plane so that even if they do fall over or are too unsteady, the chances of them getting hurt remain low.

Needless to say, do not leave them utterly unsupervised since they might still somehow get hurt. Instead, watch them from some distance away but try to stay in the same area so that you can rush to their aid in case any mishaps arise.

Making Your Child Get Used to Not Using the High Chair

Knowing how to make your child get used to not using the high chair is equally as important as knowing when to stop using the high chair because not all kids will want to move out of it on their own.

Moreover, even if they do want to stop using the high chair, the sudden change in sitting arrangement might make them feel a bit disoriented at first, and you will have to prevent that from happening as much as you can. By following the next few steps, you will be helping your kid get used to not being in a high chair in no time!

Get a Separate Chair and Table Set for Them

When your baby starts wanting to sit with the rest of the family at the table during meals, consider buying a set of a table and a chair made specifically for children. This will get them more used to sitting in a regular chair, and it will also help them learn basic dining etiquettes.

By getting one of these sets, you will also be buying your child some time to grow enough for them to be able to reach the table without straining themselves too much.

Get a New Chair for Them

If your child is still adamant about wanting to sit with you during meals, get a new chair made that is similar to the ones that you usually use but is only slightly higher than the rest in the group.

This will give them the idea that they are sitting in a regular chair like everyone else, and it will also help them get accustomed to the table along with elementary table manners from a young age.

Get a Booster Seat

An easier way of dealing with this issue is merely getting a booster seat and attaching it to your regular chair. This option is also much cheaper and more secure since the seat usually comes with handles of their own, which help prevent your child from falling if they tend to move a lot.

Side by side, since the handles are only situated at the two sides of the seat, your child will not feel as though they are still sitting on a high chair, and so they are more likely to remain calm and happy throughout the meal.

Let Them Stand

If you do not wish to get separate sitting arrangements for your child in fear of them developing a new habit, you can simply let them stand on a chair at the table while they eat.

Doing so may seem dangerous to some people, so you will have to guard constantly. Move your chair closer to your child’s so that you can keep a hand around their waist at all times to keep them from getting hurt or slipping.

Set Some Time Aside for Them

If your child is older than three years of age and is still not ready to move out of the high chair, then you should set some time aside for them every day where you will help them sit on their own on a regular seat. Besides, spending some time with your child every day will also deepen your bond with them.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now know when to stop using high chair for your child as well as how to help them get used to sitting without the high chair. Thank you for staying with us till the end, and we will see you again soon!