Choosing the Best Booster Chair

 When choosing a booster chair, it’s important to evaluate several factors and choose the one that best fits your needs. Some things to consider are:

• Adjustable Back: If you plan for a small baby to sit in it, you’ll need one with a back that can be adjusted to recline slightly and offer them support. If it’ll be exclusively used with toddlers and older children, a rigid back (or no back at all) is appropriate.
• Chair Strap: Choose one that secures to your dining chair with at least one adjustable strap that can be pulled tight for a secure fit.
• Child Strap: Determine whether you need a five-point harness or lap belt. A five-point harness is the safest option for small babies, while a three-point harness or lap belt is appropriate for toddlers.
• Portable: If you plan to travel with the seat, consider its size. It should easily fold down and fit into your vehicle and should be relatively lightweight.
• Easy to Clean: Let’s be honest — babies are messy. You don’t want a high chair that’s difficult to clean. Choose one made from plastic without a lot of crevices where food can get stuck.
• Tray: Some come with trays so they can function as a high chair, while others don’t. Decide if your seat needs an attached tray (for either eating or playtime), or whether its only function will be giving your child a needed “boost.”

Can My Infant Use a Booster Seat?

Originally, booster seats were designed for toddlers and older children who weren’t quite big enough to reach the table while sitting in a regular chair and just needed a few extra inches to “boost” them up. However, today many booster seats on the market are designed with babies in mind.

Booster seats that are appropriate for babies have an adjustable back. Unlike toddlers, babies don’t have very good head and neck control, or enough core strength to sit upright for long periods of time. A rigid, upright back on a booster will cause them to either slump forward (hitting their head on the tray or table) or slump sideways (causing a potential falling hazard).