Is my baby ready for high chair?

[Kelseymay12]

My baby is 5 month old she has been starting her weaning journey from 16 weeks. She can hold her head independently and sit with minimal support now she’s always watching while we are eating and trying to grab everything and bring it to her mouth. She hasn’t got any teeth come through yet. Although she is hungry and having a 6-7 ounce bottle every 2-3 hours she also has a bowl of porridge on a morning and a bowel of blended vegetables and potato or fruit on an afternoon.
Would she be okay to sit in the high chair or do you wait until she is able to sit completely unaided?
Also should I not start solids until her teeth come through?

Where has she been positioned to eat until now?

Yes, you can wean without teath.

You have started solids...

she has been starting her weaning journey from 16 weeks

Why?

I waited until my little one was able to sit in a high chair unaided before starting weaning.
If you feel she can sit without support then give it a go and stay close to her.

My 5 month old is at the same stage with sitting and I do pop him in the high chair at mealtimes, so he’s part of it. He’s not started weaning yet but happily sits with some toys and enjoys being round the table with his big brothers. I’ve also converted his pram to the sitting up position as he prefers to see what’s going on now on his walks, when he falls asleep, i recline it back. You can start baby led weaning from day dot, I usually do a mix of purées and finger foods. My eldest was weaned a little early and by 6month he was happily munching toast, cucumber, banana.. most things really.

You can start baby led weaning from day dot, I usually do a mix of purées and finger foods.

day dot would be the day they are born?

(BLW doesn’t use purées.)

My eldest DD only hot her first tooth at 16 months (which is extreme end of normal)... she could eat everything but apples and raw carrot by then really!

If your baby can sit in the highchair without slumping then its safe.

Why did you start early?

You’re not replying to the question the OP asked.

Why not try her, OP? If she looks wobbly or it feels weird you can stop and try again in a few weeks.

My daughter went into the high chair at 18 weeks whilst we ate meals. She could sit with some support and the high chair was enough support for the 10-15 minutes whilst we ate.

Apologies, I obviously wasn’t being clear. I meant day dot as in whenever you begin weaning.. be that 4month, 5month or 6month. I assume this lady is weaning early as it’s been recommended by a health care professional. You can begin baby led weaning from the start of the weaning process, without any need for purées. I personally did a mix of purées and finger foods (not blw) and plan to again in a few weeks.

I assume this lady is weaning early as it’s been recommended by a health care professional.

That’s why I asked. Some people think it’s what they should do based on advice from non-professionals. OP’s second question makes me think she hasn’t been advised to do this by a health professional.

Probably because the latest research suggests that babies should be weaned from about 4 months if they have neck control.

Official guidance has not been updated in the UK yet but the research is available for doctors to read and advise patients accordingly.

Yeah it's fine, you can get adjustable high chairs now that can be used from newborn.

Yes, you can start solids now - she can gum food and that can provide sensory relief for teething when that starts.

And yes, she can be in a high chair if she has sufficient neck control to sit up.

Given the OP’s question about teeth I’m not sure this is based on the latest research.

All advice online seems to suggest never ever wean a baby before 17 weeks so I'm not sure a doctor would advise this. If you've done this without medical guidance the first thing I'd advise is to get her checked out.

To answer your question we used the IKEA Antilop with the inflatable cushion that provides abit of support. I tried both my DCs in it a few days before they turned 6 months (ready for weaning at 6 months) and both could sit up in it. I wouldn't advise giving solids yet as her body will likely not be ready. You don't need to wait for teeth though.

Porridge is solids....ditch the blended stuff, just give small cooked pieces of food.

Both of mine were sitting at the table while we ate from a little over 3 months, in the IKEA highchair with the inflatable cushion. I'd definitely give it a go, just keep a close eye given they'll be eating, obviously!

Why are you weaning so early?

Plenty of other countries recommend weaning from 4 months, including Finland where practically every child health outcome beats that of the UK