Prevent high chair falls
High chair injuries usually come from children falling out or tipping the chair. Every meal:
- Buckle the full harness, including the crotch strap, snugly. The tray is not a restraint.
- Don’t let your child stand in the chair or climb in by themselves.
- Keep it away from tables, counters and walls your child could push off with their feet.
- Lock folding chairs open before your child sits in them.
- Stay with your child while they eat.
If you’re buying used, choose a chair made on or after June 19, 2019, when the federal high chair standard took effect, and check it for recalls.
Frequently asked questions
When can my baby start using a high chair?
Usually around 6 months, when your baby holds their head up well and is starting solids. The AAP says a baby should be able to sit in a high chair with good head control before starting solids. Reclined newborn modes are for sitting close to the family, not for feeding.
Do I need a tray?
Not always. Table-height chairs like the Tripp Trapp are built to pull up to the table, with a tray as an optional extra. Tray chairs let you feed anywhere. Either way, use the harness, and make sure your child’s feet can’t reach anything to push off.
Does a footrest matter?
It’s a comfort and fit feature, not a safety requirement: no federal or AAP rule calls for one. A footrest that moves up as your child grows keeps their feet supported instead of dangling, which helps them sit upright. The harness is what keeps your child in the chair.