Should A 3 Year Be In A High Chair- Unlocking Succes

SHOULD A 3 YEAR BE IN A HIGH CHAIR

A high chair is an excellent way of helping your baby join the family at mealtime. High chairs help to contain the mess and give your baby some independence to sit up and feed themselves. However, babies outgrow their high chairs.

So, when should you move your baby from a high chair to a regular chair at the table?

There is no set age at which children should transition from a high chair to a booster seat. This typically occurs between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. When your child is ready, he or she will let you know. It is essential that the child does not exceed the weight limit of the high chair.

Should A 3 Year Be In A High Chair

Moving out of a high chair is a very individual experience for each child. Some children are aware of differences in seating habits between themselves and their siblings, whereas others are content in their own little high chair world.

Your Toddler’s Attitude

Because they are pushed right up to the table, a booster seat can provide a little more freedom and equality with the rest of the family for a toddler who dislikes being held down. The newfound joy of being fully included may aid in the management of some difficult behaviors, such as food fussiness or dinner-time tantrums.

Here are some of the reasons why babies may dislike their high chairs:

They feel obligated to eat at mealtimes.
They dislike having their faces cleaned.

Your child is exiting the high chair in an unsafe manner.

Some toddlers are able to remove themselves from the high chair and the straps. They may be able to unbuckle or wiggle out of the harness.

Your toddler may also be climbing in and out of the chair. All of these are potential safety hazards, so it’s best to relocate your child to a more secure seating arrangement.

Your toddler can safely sit at the table.

Safe sitting is an important part of choking prevention. If your toddler can sit safely for a few minutes to eat, he or she may be ready to move to the table.

when your toddler cannot sit for a few minutes to eat, it is best to keep them safely strapped into the high chair.

Unbuckles the high chair straps.

Unbuckling your child is not only a sign that they are ready to stop using the high chair, but it can also be a safety issue. Most high chairs are not the same height as regular chairs, and you don’t want your child to fall out of them.

Eats independently

The final sign that your child is ready to stop using a high chair is that they can eat without assistance.

If your child is adept at using utensils, tableware, or even open cups, he or she may be developmentally ready to transition out of a high chair.

How To Transition Out Of A High Chair

Start Slowly.

The key to making any changes in your child’s life is to begin slowly. If they don’t want to sit at the table right away, you’ll need to ease them into it.

Starting with snack time or one meal when gradually introducing your child to eating at the dining table instead of a high chair can be beneficial. You can introduce more meals without the high chair as they become accustomed to eating at the table.

Push The High Chair To The Table.

Remove the tray from your toddler’s high chair and scoot them up to the table if space allows. Scooting them to the table without their high chair tray will help them become accustomed to eating at a table.

After a few days of your child eating at the table, you can try replacing their high chair with a booster seat.

Keep in mind that this method is only effective if your toddler’s high chair fits under your dining table. My son could never get close enough to the table because our high chair was too high.

Distractions Should Be Kept To A Minimum.

If your dining table is close to a television, make sure it is turned off while you eat. Having quiet family time while eating meals will assist your child in remaining focused and in their seat.

Ensure Consistency

Staying consistent is another helpful tip when transitioning your toddler out of their high chair. When trying to get rid of a high chair, the adage “practice makes perfect” comes in handy.

Eating all of your meals at the dining table is the best way to maintain consistency when introducing your child to a booster seat. When you eat every meal at the table, your child becomes more accustomed to using their seat.

Don’t Force It

Finally, if your child isn’t ready to sit at the table without their high chair, they aren’t ready. You don’t want to push it.

You may get the opposite reaction if you try to push a booster seat or regular dining chair. Your child may develop an attachment to the high chair. Just keep in mind that every transition takes time, and your child will be ready!

Finally, only you will know if your child is ready to move on from a high chair. And if you’re still unsure, there’s no harm in experimenting with some of the suggestions above and seeing how it goes!

If you try out a booster seat and discover that your child is not yet ready, you will gain some insight into what to look for before trying again.

Consider Using A Booster.

If your child can sit in one, strapped boosters are an excellent next step. Choose a booster seat with straps for the child as well as straps for the chair. Restaurant-style boosters should be avoided because they can easily topple over.

There are also space-saving high chairs that sit atop a chair and can be transformed into strapped boosters by simply removing the tray and pulling them up to the table. Make the booster more appealing by adding stickers of your child’s favorite characters.

Make It Child-Sized

If your child will not sit in a booster, but you do not want them to sit in the tall kitchen chairs, a child-sized table and chair set may be a good alternative.

They are able to sit in a chair without fear of falling a few feet to the ground. You could also invite their friends over and host a “dinner party” at their table.

Make It Fun

Turn off the television and gather around the table as a family. Instead of just scarfing down food, make mealtime a social family event. Discuss your day with your child and spend some quality time together.

This also distracts them from getting in and out of their new non-restrictive chair, allowing them to eat more comfortably.

When To Change From A High Chair To A Table

Although there is no set age, your toddler should be ready to move away from the high chair between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. They’re steady enough to stay upright for longer periods of time during this range, but they may still be a little wiggly.

Getting To The Table: Booster Seats

A booster seat can and should help with the transition from the high chair. Booster seats can range from ultra-safe with snaps and additional safety features to simple booster seat pads that simply provide a boost for your toddler. When you and your child are ready, there are a few seating options to make the transition easier.

A dining booster seat is portable, saves space, and is simple to clean, making it an excellent choice for both at home and when dining out.

Look for straps to secure the booster to a chair as well as a safety belt to prevent your toddler from wriggling out.

Remember, there’s no set age at which 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.