High Chairs... Parents, When Did You Start Using One?

[cel_disney]

We have a pretty large house and while we had a swing, a few bouncers, exersaucer, etc - we didnt always have those things in the kitchen - and when we did, they wouldnt put DS at a reasonable height to see and interact with us while I was cooking or cleaning...

When he was 1 month old - we broke out his high chair and used to sit toys on it for him. We have the Chicco high chair and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the recline feature - I almost never remove the tray - I just recline the seat and put the kids in/out. We didnt start solids until 6months for both kids so thats when we started using it for feeding...

We have the Healthy Care Booster as well and it is a GREAT booster and great for eating and traveling. That being said - it doesnt work well for bottle feeding...but if you are short on space and budget - this is by a mile the best alternative I can recommend!

We've had a few other boosters and high chairs out there but we are really happy with the Chicco and the Healthy Care Booster!

 

[monorailsilver]

Probably around 6-8 months although they weren't always sitting well in it.

But if I was to have kids again (mine are 10, 7 & 5), I would not get a high chair.

My kids first ate in the bouncy seat, then in the exersaucer & then the high chair.

The high chair's cover got washed daily so half the time my kids sat on a towel.

I wish I just had the chair that attached to a bigger chair vs a high chair but what did I know then....

 

[Elleshoodat]

We're the same as many other posters -- about 5 months.

 

[delmar411]

We used our high chairs right from when babies came home- they reclined and I liked they were up high away from the dog etc to sit them in-ours reclined then had the trays and also had several height adjustments so you could use really low if you wanted and then could use as chair at the table- they were great.

We used ours like this too. We didn't have dogs but I did have other little ones. Much easier than trying to drag stuff around the house. I had something in each room for the baby.

 

[.:allisonr:.]

DS was around 6 months old when we started using a high chair. When we got the OK to start cereal, we first started giving it to him in his bouncy seat, then moved to the Bumbo, then moved to the high chair.

 

[lemonsours]

We used our high chairs right from when babies came home- they reclined and I liked they were up high away from the dog etc to sit them in-ours reclined then had the trays and also had several height adjustments so you could use really low if you wanted and then could use as chair at the table- they were great.

Our chair had the same features-we used it for DD from 5months to 4 1/2 years, when she had to vacate it for her little brother. I also park it in the kitchen while I am cooking and let DS play with playdoh or color.

 

[Crystal824]

5 months. We didn't get a high chair right away either. DD was born at the end of July and her grandparents got her a high chair for Christmas (which they gave to her a little early).

 

[Nanu57v]

Never for bottle feedings...well, both my kids were nursed, but I worked in daycare for many many years and children were ALWAYS held for bottle feedings until they were old enough to hold their own bottle, and then sometimes they'd be in a bouncer or whatever, but I wouldn't do a high chair.

My kids started cereal at 5.5 months, and baby food at 6 months...table food a couple months after that. You probably want to get a high chair for that...because its messy!!!

 

[TexasNative]

Both of my kids were on cereal by 4 months (to help with reflux) and other baby food shortly after. With my DD we used the Bumbo for a month or so and then went to the reclining high chair. My DS didn't have enough strength to sit up in the Bumbo and had way too much room to wiggle around in the reclining high chair. We would put his car seat on the kitchen table and feed him from that until he got stronger. It was great because it allowed him to sit up enough to eat and supported his body so he wouldn't wiggle around. If you decide to use a car seat, I would definitely recommend putting a towel under your baby to protect the car seat. It's amazing how messy feedings can get!

 

[Meshell2002]

I loved the bumbo from 4-7 mos...then I put both of mine in a booster seat on the kitchen chair....I liked in better than the high chair....you can use it way longer and it can be wiped clean (its all plastic no fabric pad to wash). DD at almost 3 still sits in it cause she's a little short for age. Congrats!

 

[RooRach0906]

I have the Fisher Price Space Saver Highchair/Booster Seat. It starts as a highchair and goes to a booster. It has a recline which is great for when baby is young even just to sit while you make dinner. I started feeding DD at 4 months Cereal when my pedi recommend. I will say that I love this seat as does my sister(who has the same one). I also have two friends who wish they would have got this seat over a actually highchair. Also you could take the cover off when baby starts to self feed and then clean the plastic. I did this just to make it easier for me. Hope this helps you.

Here is the excat seat I got: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fisher-Pr...and-Booster-My-Little-Eye-Collection/12960801

 

[AZMermaid]

We started sitting him the high chair while we ate dinner around 5 months. We started using it for feeding closer to 6 when he started solids. We loved the Bumbo from 3-7 months. At 7 months he rolled himself out of it and onto the kitchen table. Yes, we were almost the people they make the "do not use on elevated surfaces" warning for.

He did not like his swing or bouncy chair at all. He was tough. He didn't like anything the first 3 months so when he was big enough for the Bumbo and didn't freak out in it, it was a Godsend!

 

[FigmentFinder]

I got the highchair around 5 months. Bottles should be given while holding the baby as if you were breastfeeding. She was sitting up well at 5 months, so I got a cheaper highchair with no padding or recline. It's easy to clean and turns into a booster. It was a great deal at Baby Depot, $40 bucks plus the 15% off coupon. I think it's discontinued though.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Dwell-3-in-1-High-Chair/dp/B0046NBWF4

Yesterday she was able to sit in one of those practically no back restaurant highchairs while my 11 year old and I had lunch. YAY!