A toddler booster seat for a dining table lifts your child to table height on an ordinary dining chair, so they can eat with the family instead of in a separate spot. The right one fits your chair, suits your child's age and weight, has a harness you can fasten firmly, and is easy to wipe clean. This guide explains how to match a seat to your table and chairs, what Australian guidance says about harnesses and standards, and how to use one safely at home.
A feeding booster seat is not a car seat and must never be used in a vehicle. This guide is about home mealtimes. For travel and eating out, see our portable booster seat guide.
Why bring a toddler to the dining table?
Raising Children Network, which is supported by the Australian Government, says watching parents and older siblings eat a variety of healthy foods can encourage a toddler to try different foods too. It also notes that sitting while eating is important to prevent choking, and that if you sit down together, it can encourage your toddler to sit down too.
A booster seat is one way to make that table seat work for a small child. Without lift, a toddler on a standard dining chair may be too low to reach their plate comfortably.
Booster seat, high chair or something else?
|
Option |
How it works |
Worth knowing |
|
Booster seat on a dining chair |
Straps to or sits on an existing chair and raises the child |
Depends on the chair underneath, so the chair must be stable |
|
High chair |
Freestanding frame with its own legs |
The ACCC describes it as raised off the ground, with legs and a small table at the front |
|
Clip-on or hook-on seat |
Attaches to the table instead of a chair |
CHOICE advises the table should be solid and stable |
CHOICE also lists floor seats, which support small babies on the ground. They do not lift a child to the table, so they are a different product from a dining table booster.
What Australian guidance says about safety
The ACCC states there is no mandatory standard for high chairs. CHOICE states there is no Australian standard for portable baby seats, so its own tests draw on clauses of the high chair standard AS 4684 plus tests from other standards. In practice, you are judging a booster seat on its design, its instructions and the testing details the seller can show. If a product page says "safety tested", ask what testing was done and by whom.
The ACCC reports that falls are the most common injury involving high chairs, usually when a child stands up or tries to climb in or out. It advises a harness that stops a child from standing or slipping down. The ACCC says a 5-point harness is the safest and a 3-point harness is effective if the waist and crotch straps are firmly fastened. CHOICE recommends products with a 5-point harness, or a 4-point harness plus a hard crotch barrier. The two sources differ, so check which harness a seat has and favour the more secure design where you have a choice.
How to choose a toddler booster seat
|
What to check |
Why it matters |
How to check |
|
Age and weight limits |
The maker sets limits for each product |
Read the product page and manual |
|
Harness |
Falls are the most common high chair injury |
Look for a firmly fastened, adjustable harness |
|
Chair fit |
The chair is part of the support |
Check which chair types and sizes the maker says it suits |
|
Table height |
The child still has to reach their food |
Sit your child in the seat at your table, with the seat on the chair |
|
Cleaning |
Mealtimes get messy |
Check whether the cover can be washed or wiped |
|
Storage |
A spare seat has to live somewhere |
Compare the packed size and weight |
|
Testing information |
No Australian standard covers portable seats |
Ask what testing was done and by whom |
Check your own chairs first
You only need to think about the chairs you would actually use. Before you buy, look at those.
-
Choose a solid, stable chair. A chair that rocks, swivels or has wheels can move under a child.
-
Check the seat of the chair is flat and wide enough for the booster to sit properly, following the maker's instructions.
-
Think about whether a child pushing against the table with their feet could tip the chair.
-
Keep the chair clear of windows, doors, stoves, electrical appliances and curtain or blind cords. The ACCC gives this placement advice for high chairs, and it makes sense at a dining table too.
Fit the seat with no child in it, then push and tilt it to see whether it shifts. If it does, try a different chair before a child sits in it.
A spare seat for visitors
A booster seat is also handy for the times your table is fuller than usual. When a friend with a toddler comes over, or grandparents bring a small grandchild, a seat that packs down small can save you from needing a second high chair. Store it where you can find it, and run through the same chair check each time, because a different chair may not suit the same seat.
Using a toddler booster seat safely
-
Read the instructions and check your child is within the age and weight limits.
-
Fit the seat to a stable chair and test it with no child in it.
-
Fasten the harness every time and check that it is firm. The ACCC warns that a loose harness can let a child wriggle down or out.
-
Supervise your child for the whole meal.
-
Stop your child from standing up or climbing in or out.
-
Keep hot food, hot drinks and sharp cutlery out of reach.
-
Take your child out of the seat before adjusting anything.
-
Use it for upright mealtimes only. If a child falls asleep, take them out of the seat.
Where High Kiddie fits
High Kiddie is a booster seat, not a high chair, and it may not replace all the functions of a traditional high chair. It is designed for children from 9 months to 5 years, up to 20 kg, who can sit upright unassisted.
-
Weight: 1.5 kg
-
Packed size: 20 cm x 20 cm x 14 cm
-
Inflated size: 33 cm high x 47 cm wide x 40 cm deep
-
Materials: TPU liner and washable fabric
-
Packaging: a reusable fabric pouch
Before buying any seat, including High Kiddie, check the chair fit against your own dining chairs. High Kiddie is launching on Kickstarter, and you can join the launch list on the High Kiddie website to hear first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a booster seat on any dining chair?
Not necessarily. Chairs differ, and a seat is designed to suit certain chairs. Check the maker's chair-fit information and test the seat on the chair with no child in it before first use.
Is a toddler booster seat safe without a harness?
The ACCC advises a harness or restraint system that stops a child from standing or slipping down, and a loose harness can let a child wriggle down or out. Look for a seat with a firmly fastened harness, and always use it.
Can I use a dining table booster seat in the car?
No. A feeding booster seat is not a child car restraint. Child restraints used in Australian vehicles must comply with AS/NZS 1754.
Summary
For home mealtimes, a good toddler booster seat fits your chairs, suits your child's age and weight, has a firmly fastened harness, and can be wiped clean after a messy meal. Test the seat on your own dining chairs before the first meal, and keep it for upright, supervised eating only.