Find a seat that is sturdy and comfortable. Decide whether you want a simple floor seat design or a more complex seat that includes additional accessories or converts to a booster or high chair.

Another bonus for parents who go from room to room, the seat is lightweight and has a handle for easier carrying. 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. But Kate Monahan, Senior Manager Data Operations at What to Expect, found that the seat lasted quite a while for her kids. “I have the Fisher-Price seat with both kids and I really liked it,” she says. “I bought a second one for our youngest because I wanted one on multiple floors. He’s on the long, lean side and sat in it up until about 9 months.” 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. Joyce Slaton, Commerce Editor on the What to Expect editorial team, used the Bumbo with her daughter who loved sitting in it. “She'd clap and smile whenever I put her in it,” she says. “The foam material was very lightweight, it was easy to take the chair along to grandma's house. It was also easy to wipe clean, and comfortable for my daughter until she outgrew the leg slots.” Joyce — like many other parents — found that her baby outgrew the Bumbo faster than anticipated because the openings were too narrow for chubby legs.

Although baby floor seats can help babies develop their sitting muscles, they are not meant to be your child’s only sitting practice. Here are some tips for helping your baby learn to sit. Provide cushioned support: When your baby is able to hold themselves upright a little, prop them up on some cushions or a nursing pillow. Sit in front of them so you are available if they begin to tip (3). The foam insert also comes in a few different tasteful colors for added variety and can be removed as your baby grows and used as a booster seat, making it a sound investment. In fact, many parents in the What to Expect whose babies didn’t fit in the Bumbo said that they used this instead and got much more use out of it. Some parents found that the seat was too large for their dining chairs, so make sure to measure carefully. Assembly is required, but reviewers found it to be straightforward, and the plastic and foam parts are easy to wipe down with a damp cloth. Use sit-up toys: Use toys that encourage babies to sit tall when playing, such as the Vtech Busy Learner’s Activity Cube.

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).Baby floor seats are safe when used correctly. Here's what you need to know about how to safely use a baby floor seat. Portability: You’re likely planning on using a floor seat around the house, whether you need to sit baby on the floor while you fold clothes or in the kitchen as you cook. Because of this, it may be ideal to prioritize seats that are lightweight and easy to move around without hassle. Some are designed to fold easily while others are made of lightweight material like foam. Are baby floor seats safe?

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.• Age-appropriateness: Some seats are meant for young babies only, while others can convert into booster seats and be used well into the preschool and toddler years. These seats can be good investments because you can use them for many years, but might not be necessary if you already have a high chair or other feeding gear. 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.” 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. 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.