Buying Guides for High Chairs

Basics

A High Chair is an essential piece of baby equipment that all new parents need. A High Chair can be used from the first months of life providing that it reclines far enough to support your newborn while feeding. Afterwards, use it for first time solid food feedings or just to bring him close to the table at mealtimes.

The type of highchair your choose will depend on your personal style, needs and preferences. Remember also that your child's eating habits, age and weight will also determine the type of highchair you choose.

Types

Adjustable: The Adjustable Highchair, is the most popular choice for today's busy parent. These high chairs feature adjustable heights, seats and trays to accommodate your growing baby, different sized tables or to bring baby down to your seated level making for easier feeding. Some other convenient features include wide removable plastic trays for those messy eaters and rolling caster wheels that lock so you can easily move the chair around the kitchen. Padded and cushioned seats make it easy for your little one to enjoy his meal in comfort. For small or narrow kitchens, many designs fold up easily for storage and portability.

Booster: Once your baby outgrows the highchair, you will need a Booster Seat.

A Booster Seat is usually a plastic chair that can be strapped to a kitchen chair. It gives your child a boost so she can eat comfortably at the kitchen table with the grown-ups. Many feature adjustable heights, built-in trays with locks and some even fold up for easy portability for dining out.

Conventional: The Conventional Highchair has a contemporary design and features the basic elements needed to feed your baby. Made of a metal or plastic frame, it includes a plastic tray and safety straps. It's lightweight design makes it extremely portable and they usually fold for easy storage. This is most basic of all the three types of highchairs out on the market today.

Wooden: Many parents like the traditional style of a Wooden Highchair because its design complements the look of their kitchens. Models include either a plastic or wooden tray. A wooden tray is harder to clean and may show stains. You may have to even purchase a safety strap, as may of the older models do not include one. A padded cushion may also have to be purchased separately as the hard wood will not be comfortable your baby. Wooden high chairs are harder to sanitize, and will show wear more quickly. However, they ultimately tend to last longer, and can be passed them down from generation to generation.

Features

Adjustable Tray: A tray that adjusts to one or more positions will make it easier to make your child comfortable as he grows while a wide tray that covers the entire area will catch most spills. One hand operation for removing and attaching the tray is key when feeding time comes around.

Locking Mechanism: A foldable highchair should feature a secure locking mechanism to prevent it from collapsing while your child is seated inside.

Maintenance: Removable and washable seat padding will make it easier for parents to keep their highchair sparkling clean. The vinyl seat padding should resist staining and tears. Your highchair should not feature many small crevices or areas, which could trap food and make it difficult to clean.

Restraint: A good quality highchair should include a three-point harness safety strap that passes in between your baby's legs to prevent him from slipping under the tray. Newer model highchairs feature a plastic restraint and five-point safety harness for optimum safety and protection.

Rolling Casters: Rolling wheels that lock make it easy to move the highchair around the kitchen or to the dining room.AccessoriesAttachable Toys can be placed and attached to the highchair to distract baby while you feed her. Some toys attach by way of suction cups while others fit into the highchair tray.

Messy Mats are large plastic mats that are placed under your child's highchair to catch all of the meal remnants that make it past the highchair.

Age Range

Fully reclining high chairs can be used for bottle-feeding your baby as soon as he is born. If you do not purchase a high chair that fully reclines, you will not need one until your baby can sit up unassisted (around the age of 4 to 6 months) or is ready for solid food. You will use it until your baby can sit at the table and feed herself. Look for a booster seat when your child has outgrown the high chair and begins sitting at the table.

Safety Tips

Do not rely on the feeding tray to secure your baby. A safety strap should be used to strap your baby securely during feeding time.

Your high chair should be located away from the table, counter or wall.

Never allow your baby to stand up in the chair, as it may tip and fall over.

There should be no exposed hardware or sharp edges to pinch your child's legs.

Read the manufacturer's instructions for proper use of your high chair.

Keep your eye out for product recalls. If possible, register your high chair with the manufacturer so that you can receive safety updates.

Your highchair's base should be wide enough to provide support and prevent tipping.

Secure any locking mechanisms before you place your baby in the chair to prevent accidental buckling.

The safety tray should be able to withstand your baby's weight should he ever lean on it.

Cost Range

Your basic Conventional Highchair ranges in price from about $60, while Adjustable Highchairs start at about $100. As the price increases so will the features that are included such as padded seats and one or more adjustable settings on the tray and seat.

Wooden high chairs are more expensive because of the wood used to make them, but they also last longer than conventional chairs.

Buying Tips

Purchase a padded high chair cushion if you plan to use a wood highchair. It will make feeding more comfortable for your baby.

Purchase a safety strap as many of the older model wooden chairs do not include one.

A highchair that features a tray with one hand adjustment will leave one arm free to hold your baby.

Removable, washable seat padding will make it easier to maintain your highchair. Frames and trays that are made of plastic easily wipe clean.

Rolling wheels with reliable brakes let you move the chair quickly around the kitchen or dining room.

For smaller kitchens, look for a highchair that folds down easily and compactly.