Safely feeding your baby – high chairs and bibs

Look for a highchair that has:

• a wide base to stop the chair from tipping when a child is sitting in it
• a tray that can be adjusted and locked easily and securely in place, which doesn't expose holes to trap fingers when removed
• edges that are smooth and rounded
• 5 point safety straps — straps that go over shoulders, around the waist and between the legs (or the capacity to have one of these fitted)
• tube ends that are sealed to prevent the child's fingers getting trapped
• locks on folding chairs that will stay locked under the weight of a child
• compliance with a British Standard (BS), American Standard (ASTM or CFR) or Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS).

Using a high chair safely

• Check the high chair for hazards — make sure there are no splits in the chair's seat or back — a child could pick out and choke on pieces of foam padding.
• Make sure the chair is on a level surface — it could tip if one leg is resting on a rug.
• Place the high chair where a child can't push with their legs against nearby furniture or walls and tip the chair over.
• Make sure electrical cords and other hazards are out of reach of a child in a chair.
• Never fix a hook-on porta chair on the flap of an extension table.
• Put the child in the seat carefully, and fasten all straps.
• Make sure you don't trap the child's hands, fingers, or head when you raise or lower the tray.
• Always watch a child in a high chair.
• Stop your child from standing in the chair or climbing in or out of it — it can easily tip over or the child could fall.
• Check that your child cannot reach the table with their feet in a hook-on porta chair — they might be able to get the chair off by pushing against the table.

This type of chair is clamped on to the side of a table. Make sure that:

• the chair is suitable to use with your type of table
• all the edges are smooth and rounded
• the chair has safety straps to hold the child
• there is a locking clamp to secure the chair to the table
• the support arms have rubber or plastic tips to improve the grip on the table.

Using a hook-on porta-chair safely

• Always fasten the safety straps.
• Fasten the chair securely to the main table and not to an extension.
• Make sure the child cannot reach any hazards on the table, such as hot food, hot drinks or knives.
• Make sure the child cannot reach parts of the table with his or her feet.
• Keep electrical cords and other hazards out of reach.
• Watch a child in the chair – if a child pushes the chair away from the table, they may fall backwards on to the floor.

• Plastic-backed bibs can be a suffocation hazard.
• Tie ribbons can be a choking hazard — make sure bib ties are fastened securely so your baby can't play with them.
• Remove the bib:
  • immediately after feeding, and
  • before lying your baby down.
• If you do use a bib after feeding, only use it when:
  • you're holding your baby, or
  • your baby is sitting up and near you.