Choosing a High Chair
What to Look For...
High chairs can be a parent's dream come true while preparing dinner or putting away items from a "relaxing" trip to the market. Little do parents know, there are many things to think about while searching for the perfect high chair.
Pattern, color, and style can be enticing to the consumer, but it is best to look beyond that. Avoid chairs that have many cracks and crevices near the tray and seat, which can make it difficult for the type A personality to clean with the shop vac. The big debate is a vinyl versus cloth seat, especially the cloth edging and piping. Look for a well-upholstered seat that will not tear or puncture easily. If you choose cloth, can the seat be easily removed for a proper cleaning in the washer and dryer or would you rather spot clean instead with vinyl? Your baby is in that seat for many snacks and meals, how often do you want to be reinstalling the chair cover? I know I would rather be reading a book to my son or on a play date rather than doing extra loads of laundry. Food for thought, no pun intended!
Now let's get to the nuts and bolts of a high chair, SAFETY. Look for JPMA, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (jpma.org) certified high chairs. Each year, thousands of children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with high chairs and four to five deaths occur every year when babies "submarine" under the tray. A passive restraint WILL alleviate the problem, which is a plastic post under the tray and is best if it is attached to the seat versus the tray. When the tray is taken off the child cannot slide out of the seat. Also, a safety harness with multiple straps around the hips and between legs, similar to a 5-point harness system you will see in infant and car seats, CAN STOP your child from falling below the tray.
A seat that reclines is a nice option for infants to get them in and out easier and for bottle-feeding. NEVER feed a child solid food in a reclined position, it can be a choking hazard. Check for a wide, stable base to deter from tipping and do not place the chair close to a wall, they can kick the chair over. Ouch!
If you have a "busy" baby or toddler, a kick-guard on the release or a push release button will eliminate the tray being kicked across the kitchen. Climbing out of the chair can be another issue parents will face soon enough. A seat depth between 5 to 7 inches is acceptable for the climber in your home, and a tray height less than 8 inches should work for most babies to reach their Cheerios.
Minor injuries occur when little fingers get trapped during lunchtime, which would be classified as minor injury, but as a parent, it is very major, so try not to rush.
ALWAYS send in your product registration card. This is how you will be notified in case of a recall.
High chairs are an important part of the "must-have" baby gear. Choose wisely and you will have a safe chair to place your child in during meal time or mommy time.
