For the moms out there...

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

At what age did you transfer your child from highchair to booster seat at home and at resteraunts?

Our 25 mo old DGS has begun pitching a fit whenever we go out to dinner if we try and put him in a highchair. Sometimes he doesn't even want a booster seat. He will still use his highchair at our house but doesn't want one when we go out to eat. We never had this issue with our daughter until she was a bit older. What are we to do?

Also at what age did you stop using your child's changing table and change them elsewhere (bed, floor, couch) until you potty trained them?

Our changing table at our place for DGS is on top of a children's long nursery dresser. DGS has become long enough to push things off the other side. He is longer then the changing mat itself. So we have begun changing him on the couch, floor or bed. Our daughter however thinks we should still use the dresser. I feel there comes a time when toddlers are just too big for changing tables. DGS is not ready for potty training at this time. It would be nice to get others opinions as to what they did when their little ones got too big for a changing table?


Thanks a bunch for any advice you can provide.

 

[mjkacmom]

I stopped using the highchair when they were done with it - my twins were under 2, my oldest was over 3. We had changing tables, but I felt comfortable changing them on furniture, or the floor, even when they were infants - whatever was convinient. I honestly don't understand why the need to use a changing table? Three of mine were either potty trained, or actively being changed, at this age. I found that pt'ing at 2 1/2 was the easiest (after pt'ing my 2 oldest at the age of 3).

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I was done with the high chair pretty early, 15 mos with the youngest, maybe 18 mos with his older brother. They were both content with boosters, but did not want to be confined (and I can't blame them).

As for changing, I gave up the changing table long before 25 mos. My boys were active, and it was easier - and made both of us happier - to change him on a mat on the floor. To be honest, it was probably unsafe to change my little guys on a table soon after they started walking (one at 10 mos, one at 10.5 mos).

The only "baby" thing I used much past 12-18 mos was the crib, and only for our oldest. He didn't climb out, so he stayed in it past 3 yrs, even though we had to buy a second crib for his brother. Older son was very happy in the confines of the crib. Second son, however, was in a twin bed at 13 mos. He refused to stay put in the crib and it was safer to move him out of it. Funny, they went into twin beds within weeks of each other...

 

[WantToGoNow]

I used a highchair at home as long as we could because we don't have enough chairs at our 4-seater table for the 5 of us - even now, we rarely eat together and when we do we have to use the computer chair and a lawn chair off of the deck. I honestly don't remember when we started using a booster because the highchair worked great for the ends of booths, tables, etc. (again 5 of us).

I used a changing table until my kids were potty trained - but they were all three potty trained by their 2nd birthdays. The baby that I babysit for is changed on the couch, floor or even on the table on a towel. She is 17 months and is potty training now.

 

[two-foxes]

To the booster question....right about now, with DS being 22 mos. We ditched using the highchair at home about 4 months ago and have been using boosters periodically since then, as well when we go out to eat. DS actually does better in the highchairs though (at least for us) because in the booster, all he wants to do is get up when he's done. In the highchair, he realizes he's a bit more contained (which may be why your LO doesn't like them) and tends to sit still a bit longer. At least with my limited experience, your LO seems to be right on track

 

[tzolkin]

My kids all stopped using a highchair in restaurants before they were two. Usually they got to a point where they did not want to sit in it. None of them ever used a booster seat. (We tried once or twice, but they were always more squirmy and would slide off the booster seat and under the table.) Usually we would ask for a booth and they prefered to kneel on the bench so they were closer to the table.

As long as they understand that they must sit at the table, I don't think the highchair is necessary. This is another good reason to try to sit in a booth-- they can't escape


I have never used a changing table (except in a public restroom). I just had folded changing pads next to my diapers and wipes, so I could put one down wherever I wanted to change them-- the floor is easiest with a toddler. (Of course, if someone has health issues that make it difficult to get up and down off the floor, a changing table may be easier.)

 

[djp0630]

We didn't take oldest DD out of the highchair at home until she was about 2 1/2 at home, just cause it was easier for us. DS started needing it so we put her in the booster seat. I'm sure she would have been ready earlier, but I guess we kept doing it since it was easier, cleaner, and DD didn't mind. As for restaurants, it wasn't until recently we started using the booster seat. I like the highchairs better since they are strapped in, but now with DS in a high chair, it's easier for her in a booster. So somewhere between 2 1/2-3years. DD just turned 3.

 

[jana616]

I really can't remember with my ODS, but YDS is 22 months now and we have been using a seat that hooks on to the table for about 2 months now. It's a great compromise-he's still strapped into it so he can't escape, but he sits right at the table with the rest of us, so he feels like a big boy. Ours is Chicco brand, and we love it. When we go out we still use a highchair, and he's been fine with that so far, I think again because he sits at the table with us. He just wants to feel included!

As for a changing table, we still use the one in his room when we happen to be changing him in there. If we're downstairs, etc. I change him on the floor. I don't think it really matters.

 

[tjlovespooh]

We started using a booster seat at home shortly after DS turned 1. We continued to use a high chair for dining out until he was about 2 (it was just easier and since he didn't have one at home he never fought us on it).


The changing table - ours wasn't a standard changing table, it was a desk that we converted and added a changing pad to so it was considerably bigger and sturdier than most changing tables. We ended up using that (off and on) until DS started potty training (he was about 2.5).

 

[tartemis]

My daughter is tall for her age, but we moved her out of the highchair around 13 or 14 months. We bought a booster, but she would only sit in it about a quarter of the time. Most of the time she just sits on a regular chair.

 

[ammeador2]

I stopped with the high chair a long time ago..actually I never even used my high chair at home..I bet I can count on my hands the number of times that I have used it..for 2 kids! My youngest is 2 and I bet we stopped using the high chair in public about 8 months ago. Sometimes he likes to sit in a booster but he'd rather just sit in a seat if we are in a booth..

My changing table same story I bet it was used less...for me it was easier to change whenever necessary rather than running to the bedroom to change either one of my kids...now that ds is starting to potty train a little I will probably never use it again for what it is for!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

1. DD is 22 mo and is now refusing the booster chair at home. As long as she sits at the table and not running around, she can sit in a regular chair. If she's getting down mid-meal, she has to sit in the booster.

2. Never used a changing table with any of my 4 kids. I have one and have never used it more than 2 or 3 times combined. I think they are a waist of $$.

 

[PoohHappens]

I am going to be honest here, I stop using any kind of "baby" epuipment when I am done using it, not when my baby is. If I want them using a high chair-we used it. And we used it a long time. I do not like getting up and down from the floor so I used a change table until we did not need it anymore. On the main floor I have used the change table on the pack n play or a contoured change pad on the dining room table( we don't dine on it much) Upstairs a change table or my bed which is standing height I do not have to stoop. If my son started to fuss about the chair I just kept using it and after a few times he stopped. If out I had a child that would sit perfectly still and not climb under the table or mess with the blinds or jump on the seat I might have considered differently, however I always wanted him contained as to not bother other guests or even so I could enjoy my meal more. I felt he was safer there and I was less distracted worrying about what he was doing. I also felt he ate more effectively this way. (I feel the same way about naps and strollers)

 

[karen624]

My youngest is just over 32 months

1. We have always used a booster seat style highchair (with tray) for my girls. I transitioned my oldest off the tray around 2 1/2, and we moved her to a Kinderzeat around 3. My youngest lost the tray around 2, and we got her a kinderzeat a few months later because she cried and fought with her sister over the one we had. She started sitting in booster seats between 2 and 2 1/2 at restaurants.

2. I still change her on her changing table when I change her in her room, otherwise it is floor, bed wherever.

 

[mjkacmom]

I am going to be honest here, I stop using any kind of "baby" epuipment when I am done using it, not when my baby is. If I want them using a high chair-we used it. And we used it a long time. I do not like getting up and down from the floor so I used a change table until we did not need it anymore. On the main floor I have used the change table on the pack n play or a contoured change pad on the dining room table( we don't dine on it much) Upstairs a change table or my bed which is standing height I do not have to stoop. If my son started to fuss about the chair I just kept using it and after a few times he stopped. If out I had a child that would sit perfectly still and not climb under the table or mess with the blinds or jump on the seat I might have considered differently, however I always wanted him contained as to not bother other guests or even so I could enjoy my meal more. I felt he was safer there and I was less distracted worrying about what he was doing. I also felt he ate more effectively this way. (I feel the same way about naps and strollers)

Doesn't always work out. My oldest loved sitting in her highchair - my twins could climb out when they were 2, not the safest situation. Some of mine were also big wigglers when it came to diaper changes, so I could no longer use the changing table. Fortunately, I was very comfortable on the floor!

 

[Tiffany_PartyOf7]

We stopped using the restaurant highchairs at 3 years. My son used a booster this past week at Disney and he turns 3 on Sunday. He did fine. At home, he still uses a highchair pushed up to the table.

Changing tables - we haven't used a changing table since our first child was about 4 months old LOL. It was just more convenient to change on the couch or ottoman (we have a huge 3 ft x 3 ft ottoman in our living room in place of a coffee table.) We also use the floor. In public, I will lay something down on those fold out changing tables in restrooms and change there or I will find a secluded spot and change in the stroller (but thats harder to do in a double LOL)

 

[Mouse House Mama]

With each child it was different. I don't think we used a high chair at home much past 1 year old. I know with our youngest she was houdini and could get out of the chair before she was 1 and it was simply not safe at all. She sits fine at the table. The changing tables didn't get too much use past the first child. Once #2 came I was all over with the oldest and so on and so on. They are all very close in age so I just changed them wherever we were.
I agree that I stopped using the baby stuff when they were done. There was no magic age. Each child was different.

 

[polynor]

Son is now 1 mth and 3 years. He'll tell us what he wants to sit in at restaurants (booster, high chair or chair). We let him because he tends to stay better behaved with the choice. In regular chairs -- he tends to get out and run around.
At home he is now in a regular chair. But he usually still has to kneel to be at a comfortable level with the table.

As for the changing table, we learned to change the kid while he was walking to another room. so we stopped using the changing table almost as soon as he learned to flip himself over. we'll change him anywhere and in any position. (now he's potty trained so not an issue).

 

[baz212]

My DS is 5 now. We stopped using the highchair right around his first birthday. As soon as he started scooting it across the floor it no longer safe for him to be in it We stopped using the changing table all together at about 8months or so. He got too squirmy and too long. It was just safer to change him on the floor or bed.
Of course I worked at a daycare center at the time, so DS also got rid of baby food at 9 months, the bottle at 10 months, the pacifier at 12 months and the crib changed to a toddler bed at 14/15 months. With the exception of bottles (age 1), amd Pacifiers (age 2), there is no right or wrong age to make these transitions. You have to take each individual child's personality into account.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

My DS is 5 now. We stopped using the highchair right around his first birthday. As soon as he started scooting it across the floor it no longer safe for him to be in it We stopped using the changing table all together at about 8months or so. He got too squirmy and too long. It was just safer to change him on the floor or bed.
Of course I worked at a daycare center at the time, so DS also got rid of baby food at 9 months, the bottle at 10 months, the pacifier at 12 months and the crib changed to a toddler bed at 14/15 months. With the exception of bottles (age 1), amd Pacifiers (age 2), there is no right or wrong age to make these transitions. You have to take each individual child's personality into account.

I am sorry but I beg to differ. My kids all gave up the bottle at different ages. None of them used a pacifier though.