ToddlerHard to believe, but here comes (yet another) toddler transition: the move from high chair to table. The seating options are a dining booster seat or a hook-on high chair — read on to find out which one’s best for your tot’s bottom.Dining Booster SeatsYour critter will probably be ready for a booster seat at around 18 months, but if she seems happy in her high chair, there’s no need to move her until around 24 months. A few more things to know: If you have a convertible high chair, then you already own a booster seat — you just need to make the switch (don’t panic if you didn’t keep the manual — the directions are online, too). And don’t use a car booster seat as a dining booster seat — though they’re both pieces of toddler gear designed to keep your cutie secure, they’re definitely not interchangeable.Pros:Dining booster seats are pretty portable, so you can use your own wherever you eat out with toddlers (and bypass that germy restaurant high chair).They take up less space — in your kitchen, closet, or car trunk — than freestanding high chairs.
They’re much simpler to clean than crevice-filled high chairs.Cons:If your child isn’t strapped in securely, it’s pretty easy for her to slip and slide in (or out of) her seat.A dining booster seat might create a tight squeeze (no knee room) for a tall toddler, and that means neither of you will be happy at the table.Most dining booster seats are too bulky to stow in luggage when traveling.Features to look for:Straps to attach the booster seat to an adult chair (these are a must)Safety belts to keep your squirmy worm from wriggling out of the chair (another must — and use them every time)Stain-resistant, easy-to-wipe fabric or plastic to make clean-up a cinchA design that suits your toddler’s temperament. A wiggler will do better in a plush, high-back seat; it might keep her calm and comfy longer. Got a mellow tot? A simple, low-back chair may do the trick.Hook-On High ChairsAs soon as your little one can sit up (around six months), she can score a spot with the grown-ups with a hook-on high chair.
These seats clip right onto the table (and can be unclipped and stashed away after each meal).Pros:Your tot can sit anywhere there’s a table, no extra chairs required.This handy seat is a huge space-saver over a freestanding high chair.Hook-on seats are easy to fold, a welcome feature for families on the go.Cons:You must pay close attention to the weight recommendation — hook-on high chairs usually hold up to 35 pounds, but that number varies from seat to seat.You need a very stable table to hook the chair onto. Even a tiny toddler can tip a shaky table.Hook-on high chairs tend to cost more than dining booster seats.With their seat covers and attachment parts, they’re trickier to clean than dining booster seats, which tend to be one smooth piece.Features to look for:A chair you can attach and detach in a snapClasps that won’t mark up your furnitureSturdy clips and a belt that can securely (and comfortably) hold your childA high back for extra support, especially if you have a younger toddlerA removable, machine-washable seat (preferably padded) so it’s easier to clean up a toddler mealtime mess or a vinyl-padded one you can easily wipe down
They’ve been around for hundreds of years, but what’s really changed? Sure, the design has evolved with the times, but there hasn’t been anything really revolutionary…until today. Meet the 4moms™ High Chair Introducing the 4moms™ high chair, a dramatically better option for parents that uses the magic of magnets to simplify mealtime. 4moms Believes in Better When we first considered developing a high chair, we thought “How can we make it dramatically better than existing products on the market?” We talked with lots of parents to understand their experiences with current high chairs and ask what we could do to improve. Two requests kept coming up in our conversations: Our team took this feedback and brainstormed ways to make an awesome high chair. Here’s what they came up with! Traditional high chair trays are tricky. You have to use two hands to line up the rails and coordinate the latches to attach them. Once removed, most don’t sit flat on a counter.
The 4moms high chair uses magnets to guide the tray into place. Parents can use one hand to position the tray and the magnets do the rest! Not only does the tray latch onto the high chair with magnets, the tray top has magnets in it as well. Well, we know that babies like to be very involved in mealtime. So involved that bowls and plates full of food get pushed around the tray and sometimes end up on the floor – especially when they start feeding themselves. That’s why we’ve also created a line of accessories – bowls, plates and utensils – that are designed to work with the 4moms high chair. The magnets in the tray top help keep these items in place, minimizing the mess. No more holding baby in one arm while trying to balance a tray of sliding bowls in the other. The sleek design of the 4moms high chair makes it super easy to clean. There are no nooks and crannies where food can get stuck. There’s no fabric on the seat – only a stylish foam insert that you can easily wipe or remove to clean in the sink (for those really big messes!).
The straps are removable and machine-washable and it comes with a removable, dishwasher safe tray liner. Inquiring Minds Want to Know Want to know more about the 4moms high chair features? We have you covered. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions: At what age can children use the 4moms high chair? It’s designed for children 6 months and up (or when your child can sit unassisted). Can I adjust the height?There are 3 different height settings. Does it fold up? No, it doesn’t fold up, but at its lowest height setting, you can easily slide it under your kitchen or dining room table to save space. Can I adjust the tray? Yep, the tray can adjust to 3 different positions. Is that a 5-point or 3-point harness?It can transition from a 5-point harness to a 3-point harness as your child gets older. Do plates and bowls come with the high chair? Each high chair comes with one large bowl and lid. Additional plates, bowls and utensils are sold separately.