When Does a Toddler Graduate from a High Chair

Updated on December 13, 2007
S.R. asks from Grand Rapids, MI
20 answers

Hi: I am wondering when my son should be ready to graduate to a booster seat. I have a second baby on the way and am wondering if I need a new high chair. Thanks!

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R.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

I switched my 15 month old daughter to a booster seat about a month ago. I have one that buckles because she likes to climb out. She liked to climb out of her highchair too. Sometimes she makes a mess on the table or tips over her plate, but she has gotten a lot better in the last month.

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S.P.

answers from Great Falls on

He's ready now. I never used a high chair with my son. He went from a car seat to a booster with no problem. Happy holidays.

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K.B.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Hi, S.. You won't need to worry about that until your new baby is old enough to sit in a high chair anyway, and that won't be for a long time, especially if you're nursing. By the time baby is ready, your toddler will probably be more than ready for a booster.

So I wouldn't worry about it right now. Focus your thoughts on growing this baby healthy! ;)

Peace,
K.

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A.B.

answers from Duluth on

My daughter is 18 months and just graduated to a booster full time. She was using one at other when at other houses since she could sit up. She likes the booster a lot because she sits at the table with us like a big girl. Takes up a lot less room too!

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T.W.

answers from Lansing on

Both my kids were out of a high chair early. Having a booster seat up to the table is just as safe as a high chair, and it makes them feel grown up to be with the rest of the family. Your child can be ready any time. I never had a problem with these fun transitions. Make it fun and they will have fun!

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J.O.

answers from Boise on

By the time your second baby is born your son should be more then ready to move over to a booster seat,just make sure that it is one that straps to the chair and then starps him into the booster, by age two all of mine just sit in the chair w/out a booster.

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V.P.

answers from Milwaukee on

Hi S.. My son is 23 months and he has been in a booster seat for awhile now. He didn't want to sit in his high chair a little while after he turned 1. It might have been around the same age as your son is now. So I tried the booster seat (travel chair) I have and he loved it. He was closer to the table and I think he felt more like part of the group. All you can do is try it. Hope this helps. Good luck with your next one.

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R.B.

answers from Des Moines on

You will be surprised, by the time your son is 18 months or so, he will be ready for a booster. It won't be long before he wants to just sit in the chair. And your second will see big brother in the chair and probably graduate to that stage even sooner.

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J.H.

answers from Saginaw on

hi he should be ready for a booster seat now. my son just plain out didn't like his high chair for very long and didn't want to be in it. we bought a booster for like 14.00 at babies r us. i'm not sure of the braind but it's like 2 tone brown and it does have a front tray part like a high chair but then that makes it hard to put to the table so we don't us it. it has 3 heights on it and fits up to the table nice. it also straps to the big chairs so it stays in place and buckles for the child. he feels like a big boy in it and loves it he was probably about your son's age if not a little younger when we switched over. good luck

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A.R.

answers from Omaha on

I spent about $30.00 on a booster chair when my son was born. It reclines for when they are infants and you can remove the tray and pull it up to the table for when they are older. It just attaches to a regular chair. FABULOUS! My son is 16 months and still tries to turn around and stand up in a highchair or shopping cart. It will be many months before I trust him in a booster. I think as long as it still has a belt...it's ok.

T.M.

answers from Lansing on

I think we pretty much kept our kids in high chairs until they couldn't fit in them anymore - especially if we went out to eat.

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J.B.

answers from Provo on

Hello S., My name is J. and I am in a similar situation! I have an 18 mo son and am 24 wks preg. I recently (yesterday to be exact!) bought a booster type chair for my son. I too thought about that high chair delema...I didn't really want to buy another one, since this is my 4th and last child. So I found this seat that clamps onto your table. Its a booster/high chair, but with no chair or legs! I found it on www.target.com they have a pretty good selection. This one was inexpesive and has a 5 point harness and is very easy to clean, just a simple wipe!
I hope this helps! My little guys loves it!

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M.F.

answers from Benton Harbor on

My son is 4, and was never in a highchair, we received an infant feeding chair that converted to a booster seat with a tray table on it. After he was tall enough to reach the table the tray table came off and he eats at the table with the rest of us. One advice I would recommend is that if your chairs have fabric on them put a towel or something under the booster seat to help save the fabric on the chair.

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S.C.

answers from Sioux Falls on

I have to admit that I have no idea!!! I have a 16 month old son too and was wondering the same thing! He can now climb up into the chair himself and likes to sit on the tray (yes I know, not exactly safe lol!) which is why I am thinking he may need to sit at the table, I am just not sure that he will sit there. He sits fine when strapped into his highchair so I think I will wait a little longer. How does your little guy do in his? You still have a while to worry about getting another highchair so I would wait if you want to, or see how he does out of it. I think whatever you are both comfortable with should be the main priority.
Congrats on the pregnancy (any idea if boy or girl?),
God Bless,
Shane

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B.W.

answers from Grand Rapids on

For his saftey keep him in the high chair as long as you can, my girl pushed off of the table and landed in our sliding glass door (just a huge goose egg, thank goodness)while she sat in a booster seat.

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R.J.

answers from Salt Lake City on

it depends on your son. Usually by about a year old they are able to sit in a booster, give it a try rotate back and forth until the baby comes. Let him know the baby will need it if you prepare him for it the transition will be easier.

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D.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Well I guess it just depends. If there is one available then why not put them in it. My son is 26 months old, and he still sits in the high chair at home, when he's eating messy things. At his grandma's he sits in a booster seat on a chair.

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B.T.

answers from Salt Lake City on

S.,

Walmart or Toys - R - Us have booster seats that strap to your chair and to your son. I would recommend doing that until you feel that he is steady enough to take it off. I would start putting him in it now, before the baby comes, so he know he doesn't need his high chair when the baby is there. I don't know if your son is like my, but he is pretty protective of his things. Congrats on the new baby, and have a good Holiday season.

B.

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S.R.

answers from Madison on

Hello,
My son is almost 17months and I put started putting him in a booster seat at the table about a month ago. He seems to like it. Sometimes it can be more messy though. But it is nice having him at the table with us. When we go to out somehwere to eat he still sits in a high chair, but mostly they pull up to the table so it is fine.

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K.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I switched my oldest somewhere around age 2 - 2.5. My youngest was out of her high chair by 18 months. She wanted to sit at the table with the rest of us.

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