When to Transition Your Baby from Highchair to Table: A Parent’s Guide to Mealtime Milestones
Mealtimes are more than just food, they’re family moments, learning opportunities, and a chance to build independence. Parents often wonder when it’s the right time to move their highchair baby to the big table. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are clear signs and tips to help guide your decision.
1. Look for Signs of Readiness
Your child may be ready to move from highchair to a regular seat when you notice:
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Stable sitting and balance: They can sit upright without leaning or wobbling.
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Interest in the table: They reach for food or utensils on the family table.
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Independent eating skills: They can feed themselves finger foods or use a spoon with minimal help.
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Desire for autonomy: They express wanting to sit where everyone else does.
Most children show these signs between 18 months and 3 years, but some may be ready earlier or later.
2. Make It Gradual
Instead of an abrupt switch, begin with a mix of highchair meals and table seating. Use a newborn highchair like Frankie that transitions into a sturdy chair capable of holding up to 90 kg, this way, your child keeps the familiar comfort of their highchair while joining the family table at the right height.
3. Support Their Legs and Posture
Proper posture is crucial for safe and comfortable eating. Your child’s knees should form a 90-degree angle, with feet flat and supported. A footrest is essential, Frankie’s adjustable footrest and seat can be repositioned with the touch of a button, making the transition seamless as your child grows.
4. Maintain Mealtime Safety
Even after your child moves from highchair to table, mealtime safety remains important:
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Use a stable chair that won’t tip easily. (Frankie doubles as a stylish, stable wooden chair for kids or even adults.)
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Keep utensils and dishes child-friendly.
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Continue to supervise meals closely.
5. Keep It Positive and Fun
The transition is a milestone, celebrate it! Let your child choose their seat or a special placemat. My own daughter loved claiming her Frankie as her “big girl chair” at 3.5, and now she sits proudly at the table.
6. Invest in a Chair That Grows With Them
Choosing a highchair wooden option like Frankie—made from sustainable European beechwood and built with stainless steel components—means you won’t need to buy another seat when your child outgrows a typical highchair. Frankie’s dishwasher-safe tray and saddle make cleanup easy during the early stages, and when your child is ready, it becomes a beautiful, long-lasting dining chair for the whole family.
7. Enjoy the Family Connection
Bringing your child to the table strengthens family bonds. They observe good table manners, feel included, and develop confidence in self-feeding.
