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?

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. 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. Baby floor seats are safe when used correctly. Here's what you need to know about how to safely use a baby floor seat.

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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. 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.

These floor seats, which are best suited for babies 3 to 5 months old who are able to control their heads, can help your little one learn how to sit up, a very important milestone. How we chose the best baby floor seats 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. We 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.• Whether the seat includes any special features like an activity center or can be used as a booster seat

Use sit-up toys: Use toys that encourage babies to sit tall when playing, such as the Vtech Busy Learner’s Activity Cube. 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. 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. 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). 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.