When Can a Baby Use a Booster Seat?

High chairs let your baby enjoy meals with the rest of the family, but they aren't your only safe feeding option. They can take up precious kitchen space and are difficult to toss in the car and take with you to Grandma's house. Instead, move your baby to a table booster seat when she's ready, allowing her to sit safely in a regular chair and be able to reach the table. Small and portable, many boosters offer the convenience of a removable tray and the option of scooting your little one right up to the table.

  1. Requirements

    • Before giving a table booster seat a try, make sure your baby is physically ready. Many booster seats have a low back and low arms, and they don't offer the same amount of support all the way around as high chairs do. Your baby must be able to sit up well without toppling over to the side or flopping forward or backward. If your baby likes to chill while he eats, buying a high-back booster allows him to lean backward and relax. He should also be fairly passive when he's trying to eat; a baby who moves around constantly, trying to escape, can loosen the straps holding the booster to the chair or dislodge the booster so it sits too far to the side of the chair seat, making it possible that it could tip over.

    Basic Age Guidelines

    • Age isn't as important as the ability to sit up independently when transitioning from a high chair to a booster seat, but most children are ready for boosters between 9 months and 18 months old. Most high chairs work for children up to 3 years old, so there's no hurry to bump your baby into a booster seat if she's happy in her high chair. Booster seats tend to offer a feeling of independence for your baby, so if she's old enough to get fussy in her high chair and constantly tries to get out, it might be time for a booster.

    Straps

    • Even if your baby is nearing the 2-year mark, it's essential to keep him safe when using a booster and not assume he's old enough to keep himself from falling. Use a booster that has straps on the back that attach to your kitchen chair, then check the straps often to make sure they haven't loosened. Always strap your baby into the seat while he's eating, even if you're using one with a tray; the tray isn't designed to keep active babies secure but the front straps are.

    Restaurant Boosters

    • Most restaurant boosters don't offer the same safety features as one you would buy for home use. They often don't have safety straps on the back or the front, meaning there's no way to secure them to the seat or to keep your baby safely strapped in. BabyCenter.com recommends avoiding these restaurant boosters until your child is 3 years old. However, restaurants usually allow you to bring your own booster seat for your baby -- or supply you with a high chair with straps -- helping ensure she's safe no matter where you're eating.

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