Fisher-Price Portable Baby Chair with Tray and 2 Baby Toys, Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat, Pacific Pebble

Product Information

Baby floor seats are useful tools for supporting babies in their quest to sit upright, but they shouldn’t be the only tools you use.

Baby floor seats can be a godsend for both you and your child. Parents like these seats because they provide a safe place to keep your little one secured and occupied when you need your hands free, whether you’re folding laundry or starting dinner. A baby seat can also give your little one a chance to sit up and have an exciting new vantage point from which to view the world before they’re able to sit up on their own. The more often you do this, the sooner their muscles will develop. When your baby is around six months, they will likely start to sit more independently. If they haven’t started sitting on their own by eight months, you may want to mention it to their pediatrician (7). Interactiveness: "Look for seats with developmentally-appropriate toys to help stimulate your baby’s development," says Dr. Hunter. This may include an activity center with buttons, knobs and rattles to encourage fine motor skill development, or a musical bar that will introduce them to new sounds. Your baby floor seat may also include a removable tray. "This is convenient for feeding or playtime and provides additional support to prevent the baby from toppling forward," says Dr. Hunter.Encourage movement: No matter how cool your new chair looks, or what the company claims, it isn't going to teach your child how to sit — the muscles needed for sitting must be developed simply by using them. "You want to make sure your baby has plenty of free time away from their seat to learn to use their muscles and gain strength," says Dr. Hunter. Raise baby’s point of view: Your baby will be more motivated to sit if they have something to look at. During tummy time, offer toys that encourage them to lift their gaze higher, such as the Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar. Baby floor seats are safe when used correctly. Here's what you need to know about how to safely use a baby floor seat. Limit the time: Dr. Hunter recommends only allowing your baby to use the floor seat for a total of 30 minutes each day, broken up into 15-minute increments. "When babies are confined to a 'container' such as a baby floor seat, they lose some freedom of movement,” says Dr. Hunter. In fact, this containment can be restricting, especially to their spine and hips. It can potentially impact their anatomical development and cause delay in gross motor skills, she adds.

The Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat in Terrazzo is the perfect baby seat for little ones who want to sit up, but still need a little extra support. This Fisher-Price baby seat is suitable from when baby can hold their head up unassisted until they can climb out or walk. Although Christine Mattheis, Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions at What to Expect, was only able to use this seat for a few weeks before her daughter grew out of it, she found that it was a hit. “She used it for a few weeks and would sit there smiling, looking around — sitting up was a whole new experience for her,” she says. “But soon, her chubby little legs wouldn't fit through the holes.” Use sit-up toys: Use toys that encourage babies to sit tall when playing, such as the Vtech Busy Learner’s Activity Cube. Whether the seat includes any special features like an activity center or can be used as a booster seatWe spoke to four members of the What to Expect editorial team who have six kids between them and have tried several of the floor seats included here.• Another bonus for parents who go from room to room, the seat is lightweight and has a handle for easier carrying.