High Chair?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

This is probably a really stupid question so forgive me

When can you put a baby in a high chair? DD is nearly three months, ok head control but obviously can't sit.

Is the not sitting a problem or would the straps hold her up?

Don't worry, not planning to feed her , but she feels a bit left out watching our knees from her bouncy chair...

Well, I think that most highchairs are recommended from around 6 months because baby needs to be able to hold their own head up.

The straps will not hold her head up, they might hold her shoulders up but her head will just lol around which is uncomfortable and potentially dangerous - restricting airflow.

However, there are highchairs that recline and there are some that are suitable from birth - I have the chicco polly magic which is pricy, but I felt worth it for what it does.

However, the MAJOR downsize is that unlike DS1, DS2 isn't a neat eater and its a bit of a mare to clean. My current solution is a £12ish pound ANTILOP highchair from Ikea, which resides in the kitchen / dining area (very light and portable) and we have the Chicco in the lounge and use it as a chair for DS to watch telly sit in and socialise, have not too messy munchies, play etc. The toy arch was a fantastic source of entertainment while he was small too.

I have the Chicco too, it is an absolute pain to clean usually ending up being hosed down in the garden, but it does recline & we had our son in it from 4 months so he could be at our level during meals and see what was happening.

That looks pretty ideal (apart from the price ). How well does she need to be able to hold her head up? She sat on my lap for meal recently, and wasn't resting her head on me.

I think a trip to Ikea is called for and we can experiment.

The ikea one looks great as a second at grandparents but not great for young babies, it's not got shoulder straps. I just got one on ebay for about 65, its a traditional wooden one with a plastic tray, cushion and reins attached which makes it easier for my 5 month old to sit up. Tips i had were to get the plainest one possible - cleaning dried puree out of toys is no fun! I don't know why but parsnip is stronger than cement!! enjoy!!

Re antilop shoulder straps I use a set of reins with mine - the short attachments designed to attach them to a pram tied together & posted through the slots in the base & then reins attached & ready to do up - works really well & is the best highchair harness I have ever used, allows her freedon to lean & move around but she can't stand or fall out.

i understand your problem with meal times, we had it too - I didn't wean until 6 1/2 months but that didn't stop dd2 wanting to see what is going on sooner; we used the pushchair which wasn't the perfect solution but free as we already had it & higher up than the bouncy chair.

(to my pfb shame with dd1 we just held her & ate 1 handed - I don't recommend it!)

Just to add to the reins, Mothercare do a set that can double as highchair reins.

looneyrationalist that's what I do at the moment

some you may find can be used a bit earlier and stuffing a cushion at the back and having a watchful eye can be done, however some allow babies to snuggle down and then they end up watching a beautiful highchair tray.
go to a large store like mothercare and ask someone or compare on websites.

otherwise i sometimes put the bouncey chair on the table down abit from where we are of course but you need a larger table for that!

I seriously wouldn't bother with a big high chair. DD was in the Antilop from 5 months, there is an inflatable cushion that you can get to provide added support. We were bought a big highchair and never used it once. The Antilop is at table height so no need for the tray and was one of the best things we bought.

We bought the Graco teatime highchair from the Asda baby event and DD was in it (although not regularly) from 9 weeks as she was able to hold her head up. Its basic but good, x.

I did bouncy chair on the table too. Or a bumbo/kariboo seat on table. I think that chicco polly highchair is shockingly expensive, tbh, and it looks like a nightmare to clean so not a good long term buy. Antilop is brilliant- design classic and v practical for only a tenner! She'll be fine propped in an antilop in about 6-8 weeks.

We used the Ikea Antilop for DS to watch us eating from 5 months. He couldn't sit unsupported so we stuffed towels down the back.

It's a great chair; I had one already but had to get the Ikea one as the other was far too difficult to clean.

Antilop
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Love it. Best £12 I've ever spent. DD went in at 5/6 months and at 18m is still sitting happily in it (although did insist the tray was removed about a month ago).

Another vote for a Bumbo or equivalent - both my DCs sat in one from about 4 months on the table while we ate then moved into a high chair once they out grew that. Might be worth trying one though, some babies seem to hate them

OP I don't suspect baby is really feeling that left out watching your knees. Maybe give her a toy to hold? For a few weeks it's not worth spending £100+ on a highchair that will have you in tears of frustration trying to clean it when it comes to (aptly named) "solids". Antilop all the way. Treat yourself to a trip to Ikea cafe if you don't believe us .

Ok, so Antilop + inflatable thingie + reins Good cheap option so if she hates it then it doesn't matter.

Greenlotus She is a bit of q velcro baby and is happiest being held while I eat - however this is a PITA and I think she would be closer to me in a high chair than in her bouncer IYSWIM

Was going to get the Antilop in the long run anyway as have heard it is best for BLW..

Definitely good for BLW - tray comes off & you can just stick it in the sink (or the shower if it's really bad!)