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When can my baby sit in a highchair? How to recognise if your little one is ready!

When can my baby start sitting in the highchair?

Watching a little person grow up is an exciting and fulfilling experience. Every stage of development is unique and brings immense joy. A special moment is when the youngest member of the family takes their place at the family table and thus participates even more in family life. This transition is not only exciting, but also a milestone in the child's development and often represents a significant relief for mum and dad in their everyday lives.

In a nutshell: When can my baby start using the highchair?

Your baby should be able to sit up well with minimal support.
Being able to hold their head up is a must! If you want to use a highchair earlier, you can do so with the newborn attachment.
Your baby should only eat solid food in an upright sitting position.
Do not leave your baby in the highchair for too long – plenty of movement is important!

The right high chair model

At this point, you should distinguish between a classic high chair ( highchair), in which the baby sits, and a high chair with a reclining function ( highchair). The latter can be used immediately after birth, provided there is no risk of the baby falling out and a safe reclining position is available.

Classic high chairs, on the other hand, are recommended by most manufacturers from around 6 months of age. However, we recommend that you pay attention to your child's individual signals, because, as is so often the case, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for all families. As with any other developmental milestone, you should not compare your little one with their peers, because every baby develops at their own pace – and that is completely normal! Your baby will give you a sign when they are ready for a high chair in the classic sense.

Our high chair comparison will help you find the right high chair for your needs.

To the high chair comparison

Signs that your baby is ready for the highchair

Proper body control: One of the most important factors in letting your little one sit in a high chair is their body control. As a rule, babies should be able to hold their head and back upright on their own before being placed in a high chair ( highchair). This usually happens between 4 and 6 months of age. At this point, most babies have developed sufficient neck muscles and back strength to hold themselves upright.
Shared meals and social development: Participating in family meals not only promotes a healthy relationship with food, but also supports the child's social development. By using a high chair, your little one takes a permanent seat at the family table and participates even more actively in family life from that point on. Babies often start to follow the food with their eyes or reach for objects on the table. This shows their curiosity to discover something new and that they may be ready to have their first taste experiences. Do you have questions about complementary feeding? We spoke to experts and answer the most important questions about introducing complementary foods.

To the complementary feeding tips

What to look out for when your baby is sitting in the highchair

Once your baby has reached these developmental stages and is ready to sit in the highchair, it is important to take safety precautions.

Make sure that the highchair is stable to prevent it from tipping over.
Also, use the safety belts provided to prevent your baby from slipping out of the highchair.
Also, make sure that when you place your baby in the highchair to eat solid food, the highchair is in an upright sitting position. If your baby is lying down, there is a risk of choking.
No longer than 20 minutes in the highchair: As much as mum and dad appreciate the relief provided by the highchair, you should not overdo it. Your baby needs one thing above all else: movement! Little ones need to fully develop their muscles and mobility. Anything that restricts your little one's movement is not conducive to this development. So remember not to leave your baby in the highchair for longer than 20 minutes.

The ANTILOP highchair: The perfect all-rounder

There is an incredible number of high chairs from a wide variety of manufacturers, most of which are in the higher price ranges. This means that buying a high chair can often be really expensive. But here too, you can rely on IKEA. With the ANTILOP, IKEA offers what is probably the best-known highchair worldwide. We are sure that you have seen the ANTILOP at least once in a restaurant or hotel.

But IKEA's affordable highchair is also perfect for your home. Your little one can now sit at the table "on equal terms" when eating or playing thanks to the highchair. The highchair also impresses with its easy assembly and even easier disassembly. The high chair's material is easy to clean and provides the ideal surface for pimping up the chair with child's play IKEA hacks from Limmaland and customize.

Clever hacks for the ANTILOP highchair from IKEA

Get more out of your IKEA highchair! With a few simple hacks, the practical IKEA ANTILOP can be transformed into a real feel-good place for your baby. Whether it's footrest, ergonomic inflatable cushion insert or wipeable silicone mat – our clever ideas ensure more comfort, safety and style at the family table. Be inspired and design your highchair to suit your individual needs!

ANTILOP Hacks