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Choosing a Baby Feeding High Chair

Next to a baby cot or crib a baby feeding high chair is probably one of the most used baby and toddler products. Baby feeding high chairs are used virtually every day for many years and parents need to take care when choosing one if they are to get the best value for money.

Types of baby feeding high chairs

There are basically three types of baby feeding high chair on the market today. Wooden chairs are often considered the most pleasant to look at but they do have their drawbacks. First, of course, is that they can pick up stains quite easily and can often be difficult to clean. They are also heavier and can be more difficult to store.

Metal baby feeding high chairs often have more features than the wooden variety, are easier to clean and can usually be folded and stored away quiet easily. But they are still heavier than the plastic models, which may also offer reclining seats, adjustable heights and other useful features.

Baby feeding high chairs also come is four main types. The combination high chairs have a table and chair combined. When shopping online note that these models are sometimes also sometimes called convertible high chairs. Convertible high chairs have the advantage of being able to be adapted as your child grows. Adaptations include removal of the tray and adjusting the seat height so that they can even be used at the table like a normal chair.

Lightweight folding baby feeding high chairs are much simpler in design and can easily be folded up for storage. Also on the market are multi-function baby feeding high chairs that boast numerous features including padded seats, recline options and adjustable footrests.

Choosing a baby feeding high chair

There are several important features to look for when choosing a baby feeding high chair. No matter which type of chair you are after – basic or the all-singing all dancing- models, there are some points that can’t be overlooked. The first must-have feature is stability. You want a sturdy baby feeding high chair that cannot be easily moves or tipped over.

Second is security. Look for baby feeding high chair models with restraining belts that prevent your baby from standing up or slipping out underneath the table. Look for models with a five-point harness – two waist straps, two shoulder straps and a crotch strap which give the highest security for your child.

Next is safety. There must be no rough or sharp edges. Wooden chairs should be carefully inspected for splits and splinters. Your baby feeding high chair should also be easy to clean, preferably with a tray that is easy to remove and that has raised edges to catch any spills and prevent food bowls from sliding off. A removable tray is not only handy for cleaning it also makes it easier to lift your child in and out of the chair.

Some makers offer dual trays, also called two-piece trays. The bottom tray fits onto the chair, the second fits on top for easy cleaning. Check if these top trays are dishwasher safe. Some have moulding like those on school dinner trays so you can keep different foods separate.

Also look for high chairs that are adjustable so that you can use it as baby grows. Not only is this more comfortable for your child it will give longer life and better value for money for you. Padding makes baby more comfortable, but it must be easy to clean or better still removable so it can go in the washing machine. Check too if the footrest is removable so it can be easily cleaned if it gets very grubby.

If you can, take a look at the assembly instructions. Some baby feeding high chairs can be flat pack hell and have you bewildered at badly drawn diagrams and long instructions – some can take more than a hour to assemble, so allow yourself plenty of time

Using baby feeding high chairs

When using a baby feeding high chair always follow these safety rules. Always belt baby in with the safety belt restraints,; never leave your baby unattended in a high chair; always lock the wheels in place if the baby feeding high chair has them; check that all adjustable latches including the tray are securely locked in place and make sure you know the minimum and maximum weight limits of the baby feeding high chair.

Steve Shoebridge works for Just For Tots, your online baby equipment nursery and accessory store

6 Things to Consider when Choosing a Hospital Transport Chair

Administrators of hospitals, clinics, rehab centers, and extended care facilities recognize the need for having sturdy and durable transport chairs available for their patients. Depending on the size of the facility, supplying enough hospital transport chairs can run into thousands of dollars annually. Here are some guidelines for choosing a hospital transport chair that may save your facility a lot of money.

• A Hospital Transport Chair should be strong and durable.
Most standard wheelchairs have a weight capacity of 250 pounds. Staxi transport chairs can carry a load of 500 pounds, which will allow for heavy medical equipment to be carried along with the patient.

• A Hospital Transport Chair should not have removable parts.
Standard wheelchairs have footrests that can be removed to allow the patient to stand up, pedal, and to collapse smaller to fit into vehicles.

Some have removable armrests to allow the chair to fit under tables, or to be out of the way when doing a side transfer. The problem with removable parts, is that they often get lost or misplaced and are awkward to remove.

A Staxi transport chair has no removable parts. The armrest swings up and back for side transfers, and the footrests are designed to be out of the way when the patient stands.

• A Hospital Transport Chair should be rigid.
Personal wheelchairs that travel with patients need to fold up to fit into vehicles. However, a transport chair is designed to be pushed by an attendant; therefore, the chair seat and back may be of solid construction with padded cushions to make the chair more comfortable.

• A Hospital Transport Chair should be space saving.
Wheelchairs take up a great deal of floor space, especially in areas where there are many unoccupied chairs, such as at entrances. Staxi chairs are designed to nest behind each other like grocery carts. This takes up less floor space, and a Staxi stand can keep your extra chairs handy and uncluttered.

• A Hospital Transport Chair should be easy to push.
Attendants and nurses spend a lot of their day pushing patients in wheelchairs. Standard wheelchairs with the large rear wheel are designed for patients to push themselves. They are built low to the ground to allow patients to pedal with their feet if desired. They are built for a different purpose than patient transporting by an attendant.

Attendants need transport chairs that are ergonomically correct to save their backs from bending and straining. Staxi chairs have a higher push bar in the back, rather than two handles. The bar allows an attendant to push with one hand while using the other to carry something or open doors.

Attendants report how easy Staxi chairs roll and maneuver with their smaller wheels and wheelbase.

• A Hospital Transport Chair should be safe.
Staxi has an automatic brake system that engages when the push bar is released, so there is no need to remember to set the brake.

Staxi Transport Chairs are the best choice for a hospital transport chair fleet.

STAXI is the world’s leading nestable transport chair system and the number one wheelchair alternative for hospitals and airports. STAXI’s are hard to steal, built to last, simple to use and easy to find. Contact at: info@staxi.com Go To http://www.Staxi.com

Choosing an Office Chair

Does your workday consist of sitting for many hours in a chair — keyboarding, talking on the phone, surfing the Web, and meeting with clients and co-workers? And do your back, neck, shoulders and rear end pay the price?

Just like choosing an automobile that has adjustable seats so you can see over the steering wheel and drive safely, its important to “test drive” a new office chair before purchase so you can find one that adjusts properly for your body weight and dimensions. After all, you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting in that chair!

Research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Safety, the University of California at Berkeley’s Health Service Department, and the Cornell University Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group has indicated there are certain factors that contribute to maximum comfort and safety in office chairs.

Height: Since it’s important to sit comfortably with both feet flat on the floor, a chair with gas-lift height controls allows you to adjust for varying shin heights.

Seat: A chair seat has to be comfortable for a long period of time. Make sure the seat has enough resilient foam padding to reduce stress on hips and thighs. It should be wide enough to provide at least an inch of space on either side of your body. “Waterfall”-type seat contours can alleviate pressure on the back of the thighs. If your chair has seat depth controls, you can adjust the front edge of the chair so it’s 2-3 inches from the back of your knees. If the back of your legs touch the edge of the seat, you’ll be unable to lean against the chair‘s back support.

Backrest: Look for a chair with an adjustable back support that raises or lowers to a height that supports the curve of your back, especially the lumbar curve of the low back. Adequate lumbar support is a must to avoid stress on your spine. A chair‘s backrest should also be slightly curved to follow the natural contours of your spine. You should be able to adjust the tilt of the seat up and down independent of the back support. Reclining rests the back muscles, while a forward tilt encourages good back posture and takes the stress off the muscles and discs of the spine. Controlling the tilt tension also allows you to adjust for varying body weights and lets the chair rock or tilt with the correct amount of resistance.

Armrests: Well-cushioned arms that adjust in height and width can help you maintain straight wrist posture for computer work, avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome and reducing sore muscles in the neck, shoulders and back. Armrests that are too high will not allow you to relax your shoulders, while armrests that are too long can prevent you from getting close enough to your desk and may cause back discomfort. Armrests spaced too wide apart will make your elbows stick out from your body in an uncomfortable way.

Health and Safety: Always look for durable construction that has been tested and certified. The best chairs have caster wheels that let the chair move easily on the floor, and a five-point base that provides stability and minimizes the chance of tipping the chair over. Adjustment controls should be easy to operate from a seated position and not require forceful hand movements. Office chairs come in vinyl, leather, and cloth. Cloth upholstery isn’t as easy to clean as vinyl, and cloth-covered foam may harbor dust mites. However, vinyl or leather coverings don’t breathe as easily as cloth, which may cause discomfort after prolonged sitting.

And finally, remember to get off your butt once an hour for a good stretch. Your body will thank you!

Please find the original article and more information about this subject at

http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=ChooseChairs

PARVATI MARKUS is a writer/editor with a Masters in Creative Writing from Antioch. She works with The Kabbalah Centre and freelances on non-fiction books and articles. As a recent arrival in L.A. Parvati is completing her “residency requirement” by writing a screenplay.

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Choosing a Baby Feeding High Chair

6 Things to Consider when Choosing a Hospital Transport Chair

Choosing an Office Chair

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