Highchair 101: What to Look for and Why It Matters with Paediatric Occupational Therapist Rachael Smith

When it comes to starting solids, one of the most important pieces of equipment is the high chair. With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one - especially when it comes to posture, safety, and mealtime success. In this episode, Luka and Kate are joined by our paediatric occupational therapist Rachael Smith to break down exactly what to look for in a high chair and why getting it right from the start can set your baby up for a positive feeding journey.

For those who don’t know Rach, she is a mum to her daughter Olive and son Teddy, a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, and the owner of Therapy Time, a private practice based in Brisbane.

Even before having her own family, she has always been passionate about taking a big picture approach to child development. Rach strongly believes that what we eat has a huge impact on everything and sees this everyday in her clinical practice (and at home).

In this episode, we cover:

• Why posture and support matter for safe swallowing and independent eating
• The 90-90-90 rule and how to set up your high chair for success
• The importance of footrests (and what to do if your high chair doesn’t have one)
• Safety features to look for when choosing a high chair
• Our top high chair recommendations, from investment options to budget-friendly picks
• … and so much more!

If you’re in the market for a high chair or just want to make sure your little one is set up for mealtime success, this episode is packed with practical advice and expert insights.

Resources Mentioned:

• Our equipment guide
• Blog: All you need to know about high chairs
• Episode 28 - All about food throwing and high chair refusal

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