When it was time for me to start shopping for my little princess’ high chair, I was quite stunned by the variety available for such a simple piece of furniture. One of the features that I found very interesting was that some chairs can actually recline. It made me wonder, why do some high chairs recline and some don’t?
Much like everything else baby-related, it’s all about comfort and convenience. Simpler models don’t have the reclining feature because they are simply used for feeding your little one solids at mealtime. I was very intrigued by the reclining model and I’ve decided to answer some of the more common questions surrounding this ingenious design.
Why do Some High Chairs Recline?
The short answer here is that a recline function allows you to place your little one in their high chair for bottle feeding. It also allows for some fun interaction between the two of you. It’s also possible to use the reclining feature to assist babies that are starting to sit up but might need that extra support.
What are the Benefits and Risks of Reclining High Chairs?
Let’s have a look at some of the benefits and risks that come along with choosing a reclining high chair.
Benefits
I want to add, as I do with all the products I discuss if you use the chair properly and for what it’s intended, it’s very convenient and useful. You should always make sure your little one is strapped in correctly and never left unsupervised.
- Five-point harness systems keep the baby securely fastened while eating.
- Can support babies who are not 100% able to sit up by themselves.
- Parents can use the reclining feature to bottle feed their baby.
- Parents with down syndrome babies find the recliner high chairs help keep babies upright as they might struggle with maintaining core muscle strength needed to hold themselves up.
Risks
High chairs in the reclining position should not be used for napping as it can hurt the little one’s spine. Babies should also not be fed anything other than their bottle in the reclining position. Eating in the recliner position poses a choking hazard.
- Placing a child in a reclining high chair too soon could damage the baby’s neck muscles since the head will be too heavy for neck muscles.
- Feeding your baby solids while in the reclining position is a choking hazard.
- Babies who are allowed to sleep in the reclining position could potentially cause damage to their developing spines. Babies should always sleep horizontally in a flat crib.
When is Baby Ready for a High Chair With Recliner Feature?
Your baby is ready for a high chair when they can sit upright without any support. Your little one should be showing good control and stability when seated by themselves. This usually happens around the age of 6 months. But don’t stress if your baby takes a little bit longer to sit up alone. Remember each baby is different.
How to Choose the Best Reclining High Chair
Choosing the right reclining high chair makes all the difference in ensuring your little one’s comfort and safety.
Here are a few tips of the features you should consider when selecting the right chair:
- Five-point harness: This harnessing system allows your little to be secured at the shoulders, waist and crotch so that the risk of falling out is almost impossible.
- Construction: The chair must be strong and sturdy enough to carry the weight of your growing baby. Whether the chair is in the upright or reclining position, there should be no squeaking or sagging.
- Stability: The trick here is to look for legs that spread outwards further than the rest of the chair. Legs that are perfectly vertical as if in a box shape, don’t offer the stability you need.
- Reclining feature: This should be easy for you to operate. The mechanism shouldn’t be within the little one’s reach. It shouldn’t be possible for your child to shove their fingers or toes into it. The chair should be sturdy while in that position.
What is the Best Reclining High Chair?
I must admit, I am a little biased when it comes to recommending the best reclining high chair! The chair that I use for my little angel is the Peg Perego Siesta and we couldn’t be happier with our choice.
One of the points I enjoy most about this stylish yet functional chair is its five reclining seat positions. There are also nine different height positions for when she gets a little taller. The footrest has 3 adjustable positions.
Other reasons why I love this chair include the fact that it’s super easy to clean. Who doesn’t love easy-to-clean products? The tray liner is dishwasher safe and easy for me to remove when I have the lady of the house in my other arm. The five-point safety harness is a huge selling feature as well as there’s nothing more important than your little one’s safety!
To see how easy it is to use this nifty reclining high chair, watch this short clip!
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an alternative reclining high chair then you may want to try one of the three Graco high chairs I wrote about, so Graco Blossom, Graco DuoDiner or the Graco Table2Table.
Some other very popular, reliable high chairs from different producers, all with reclining features are:
- Baby Trend Tot Spot High Chair
- Joovy Foodoo High Chair
- Maxi-Cosi 6-in-1 Minla High Chair
- KidsEmbrace Adjustable Folding High Chair
- Jeep Classic Convertible 2-in-1 High Chair
Conclusion
Make feeding time simple for both you and your little one. Invest in a reclining high chair that will allow for you to interact with your baby or toddler and let them have their bottle while lying down. Using the reclining feature allows you to keep an eye on your baby and free up your hands to do other necessary tasks! By the way, another feature many don’t consider in a high chair is the footrest or the expiration aspect.
Last update on 2024-11-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API