High chair blues

My little one is 8.5 mths now...so far she has been sitting in her bouncer and having her meals...recently i transferred her to her high chair and she doesnt like it...after few mins she starts crying to take her out of it....am a bit lost as to what to do...i dont want her sitting in the bouncer again as i want her to get used to the chair...


thanks a lot

I feel your pain. Our second wasn't thrilled with the high chair either. Here are some points.


- You don't have to take the bouncer away if she really likes it. Just stop using it for meals.

- Make meals a fun experience. Lots of smiles and giggles.

- Don't leave her alone when she's in the high chair the first weeks or two. In any case don't leave her alone unless she's wearing a restraint. She will eventually be able to climb out.

- Associated with the above. Be prepared with all you need before putting her in the high chair so you don't have to leave her alone there.

- If you are well prepared the first few meals can be quick. Make her used to the idea of the chair. Perhaps feed her the first 5 spoonfuls in the high chair, then put her in your lap (not the bouncer). Slowly increase the number of spoonfuls in the high chair. Eventually she'll get used to it.

- Don't let her see that you feel sorry for her when she's in the high chair. This strengthens her impression that the high chair is a place to be rescued from.

- Ensure she has a toy or two in the high chair. Keep a supply of toys nearby since she will inevitable drop them accidentally on purpose.

- Say things like "time for dinner now!" and "let's put you in this nice chair so you can look at mummy!". 8.5 month olds may not speak but they do understand quite a bit.

- Be patient. It takes time.

- Persevere. You're the boss, not her. You know what's good for her. Be very kind, very gentle, very understanding, but don't give in.


Good luck!

If axptguy's suggestion don't work, maybe you can get one of those Safety First Inflatable seat with safety belts (you can buy them from Bumps to Babes, Toysrus for around HKD269. Ours didn't like his highchair and we fed him with him on our laps. One of the parents on this forum suggested this inflatable seat and it worked eversince. He is now 17mths now and enjoys sitting with us at our dining table with his own plastic bowl and cutlery.

It's First Years not Safety First as mentioned in my previous message.