Kimberly writes: We have the Antilop high chair from Ikea, and we love it. Our 12 month old Sophie loves it also. The problem is, she has recently learned to move it across the floor! We have wood floors, and she can schooch it along using a combination of kicking her legs and swinging her arms above her head. It hasn't been a huge problem yet since I always sit right next to her when she is in the chair, but I am afraid that she will hit something and fall over. She is very small for her age (a little over 18 lbs) and I that she is only going to be able to move it more as she gets bigger.
I know a lot of people who read this website have this high chair. Has anyone else had this problem?
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Both my little guys figured out how to push their Antilop highchair at around the same time they started walking (at 15 months and 12 months, respectively). We tried our best to discourage it, but we didn't stress too much about it. Like most things with babies, it was just a passing fad.
While they did manage to tip the chair over a couple of times, the Antilop isn't heavy enough to do real damage. And not to sound callous or blase (though maybe this is an offshoot of having two kids), sometimes babies can only learn by taking some moderate spills.
As for getting a bigger, heaver chair, my 15-month-old can also push around his big brother's Stokke, so that might not be a solution.
view TammyE's profile
Tammy E - It sounds like she can actually move it while sitting in it! Not just pushing it around the room which our little guy does too.
We have that chair and love it (just might be the best $20 we've spent on a baby item). But we haven't had this issue. Sounds like you have a very industrious baby.
My one thought is to place it on top of a non slip mat. We did that with our little toddler chairs that my son liked scooting around the floor. Once he realized they weren't budging he got board with trying , gave up and moved on to other forms of mischief.
view Auburn's profile
I wonder if the rubber feet you can put under chair/sofa legs would stop the sliding? Here's an idea I saw online but haven't tried: http://www.stayfurnituregrippers.com/Default.aspx
Although I also wonder if making the chair non-slip would make it more likely to tip over. I hope people who have BTDT reply with more help!
view LaneC's profile
You can also introduce the idea of the limit; moving the high chair means you are finished eating, and you get taken out.
She'll probably move on to throwing food soon, so get used to popping them out of the chair when they've had enough.
view wrenx's profile
Thank you for the input! Yes, she is moving the chair while sitting in it. I have been afraid to try putting something non-slip under it because I think it would make the chair fall over more easily. We were in a restaurant with a sort of non-slip floor, and she nearly tipped their high chair over by doing it.
I also like the idea of imposing limits, as wrenx said. Maybe more frequent, shorter meals are the key so that she doesn't feel the need to move around. I do want her to learn that the high chair is a place to eat, not play.
view sophiesmom's profile
tie a sandbag to it so it hangs down between the legs, lowering the center of gravity enough to stabilize it.
view jumpyfroggy's profile
"You can also introduce the idea of the limit; moving the high chair means you are finished eating, and you get taken out"
That's exactly what they want you to do by the way. ;-)
view stickyricemama's profile
I have a Peg Perego, one of the biggest high chairs out there, as does my sister-in-law. We both got ours used, at a consignment sale, which helps save on the cost. They have wheels, and the wheels lock in place. My daughter was never so industrius as to rock the chair, but if my nephew can't make it move or tip, it isn't going anywhere. So, although I've not tried other chairs, I'd say if none of the DIY tricks work, you might consider a bigger chair if it continues to be a problem for you.
As a side note, my sister used to make her crib move by standing up and shaking the foot end, and "walking" it around the bedroom. The only solution for that was to trap it in place, or take her out before she started moving it.
view hs's profile
do not do rubber feet as the chair will tip over instead of sliding around. Try to tie a sand bag or weights underneath it to make it heavier. Also, I guess, she does it when she's bored or if she sees it as a playtime. So, make sure it's clear what the chair is for. And treat it like a phase. It takes them time to figure out how to do things, but if you take the chair away for a couple of weeks and use smth else instead, she'll forget all about this. [make videos, it will be smth you'll smile at in a few years]
view Nudik's profile
It sounds like you have found a solution--you said it yourself, "I do want her to learn that the high chair is a place to eat, not to play." Sitting with her and eating, offering more food, sippy cup etc. Not allowing toys on the tray or at the table...ever (these rules can bend a bit at a restaurant, to keep her happy!)
I also agree with the first comment that she is in another phase, and it will be short lived--don't focus on it too much which will make her test the limits even more. Distract her!! Sing a song while in the chair, play (pretend) airplane or choo-choo train on her tray, and I wouldn't worry if she scoots it around the house while standing either.
view amy-in-sf's profile
We have the same high chair. Our son figured out that if he pushed against the table (the rim hangs down a bit) with his legs, he could tip himself backwards. Bad. He never did actually fall over - we caught it in time - but it would have been awful. We ended up using a piece of webbing with a quick-release buckle (took it off another piece of baby equipment we weren't using) to "tie" it to the table leg. That way I didn't have to worry about him tipping...and now I'm glad I didn't have to worry about him walking!
view fresh.air's profile
Hi, I also have the same high chair, my son never did this, but he was and still is a very large and heavy baby! Perhaps his weight acts to anchor the chair and she may find it more difficult to move it as she grows?! I agree with the others, you need to let her know to stop. My son would throw food when he was finished so i taught him to 'dust his hands' to show me he was finished and i would take him out!
view mittens1's profile
I assume you bought the chair because it is cheap and easy to clean. Thus you might want to try a booster on a heavier chair. The fischer price model is well-designed (blogged about here). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GQ2RWQ The heavier chair and lower center of gravity should prevent her from moving. Sometimes petite babies can get into mischief their heavier brethen can't achieve.
It is fine to think about teaching high chair manners, etc. but I think you need to address the safety issue first. She needs to come out of the chair as soon as possible otherwise you are looking at a serious head injury.
view JudiAU's profile