When can my baby start sitting in the ' highchair'?
Watching a little one grow 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 becomes even more involved in family life. This transition is not only exciting, but also a milestone in the child’s development, and it often makes everyday life much easier for mum and dad.
In a nutshell: When can my baby start sitting in the highchair?
- Your baby should be able to sit up well with minimal support.
- Being able to hold their head up unaided is a must! If you’d like to use a highchair earlier, this is possible with the newborn insert.
- Your baby should only eat solid food in an upright sitting position.
- Don’t leave your baby in the highchair for too long – plenty of movement is important!
Choosing the right high chair
At this point, you should distinguish between a classic high chair ( highchair), in which the baby sits, and a reclining high chair ( highchair) with a reclining function. The latter can be used immediately after birth, provided there is no risk of the baby falling out and a safe reclining position is ensured.
Traditional high chairs, on the other hand, are recommended by most manufacturers from around 6 months of age. However, we recommend that you pay close attention to your child’s individual cues, as – as is so often the case – there is no one-size-fits-all answer for every family. As with every other developmental milestone, you shouldn’t compare your little one with their peers, as every baby develops at their own pace – and that’s completely normal! Your baby will give you a sign when they’re ready for a high chair in the traditional sense.
We’ll help you find the right high chair for your needs with our high chair comparison.
Signs that your baby is ready for the highchair
- Proper body control: One of the most crucial factors in deciding whether your little one is ready for a high chair is their physical control. As a general rule, babies should be able to hold their head and back upright independently before being placed in a high chair ( highchair). This usually happens between 4 and 6 months of age. By this stage, most babies have developed sufficient neck muscles and back strength to sit upright.
- Shared meals and social development: Taking part in family meals not only promotes a healthy relationship with food, but also supports your child’s social development. By sitting in a high chair, your little one takes a permanent place at the family table and, from that point on, participates even more actively in family life. Babies often start to follow food with their eyes or reach for objects on the table. This shows their curiosity to discover something new and that they might be ready to have their first taste experiences. Do you have questions about introducing solid foods? We’ve spoken to experts and have the answers to your most important questions about starting solids.
Here’s what you should bear in mind 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 absolutely sure that the highchair is stable to prevent it from tipping over.
- Also, use the safety straps 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 they are lying down, there is a risk that your little one might choke.
- No longer than 20 minutes in the highchair: As much as Mum and Dad appreciate the relief provided by the highchair, you shouldn’t overdo it. Your baby needs one thing above all else: movement! A little one needs to fully develop their muscles and mobility. And anything that restricts your little one’s movement isn’t 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 variety of high chairs from all sorts of manufacturers, mostly in higher price brackets. Buying a high chair can therefore be quite expensive in many cases. But here too, you can rely on IKEA. With the ANTILOP, IKEA offers what is probably the world’s best-known highchair. We’re sure you’ve seen the ANTILOP at least once in a restaurant or hotel.
But IKEA’s affordable highchair is also perfect for your home. Thanks to the highchair, your little one can now sit at the table on an ‘equal footing’ whilst eating or playing. What’s more, the highchair impresses with its easy assembly and even easier disassembly. The high chair’s material is easy to clean and provides the perfect surface for sprucing up the chair with simple IKEA hacks from Limmaland and customize.
Clever hacks for the IKEA ANTILOP baby highchair
Get more out of your IKEA highchair! With a few simple hacks, the practical IKEA ANTILOP can be transformed into a real cosy spot for your baby. Whether it’s a ‘ footrest’, a stabilising ‘ inflatable cushion insert’ or a wipeable ‘ silicone mat’ – our clever ideas ensure greater comfort, safety and style at the family table. Be inspired and customise your highchair to suit your needs!
