A Guide To Choosing The Right High Chair

As parents, we want to spend as much quality time as possible with our children before they grow up. We cherish every moment with our little ones, from weekends away to eating dinner together, the small details are what make all the difference.

Using a high chair can make mealtimes that little more manageable. It’s the most efficient way to include your child at the dinner table allowing you to easily create some great memories. With the right high chair, your child can be comfortable when eating, playing, and even learning.

Today, high chairs come in all shapes and sizes with a huge variety of features so it can be difficult to know what to look for when choosing one. Because finding the perfect high chair for your baby to be comfortable in can be challenging, we’ve created this guide to help you.

From bare basics to finding out about all the various features available today, we’re going to take you through the entire high chair choosing process. We’ll tell you about the benefits and the key consideration you need to make to ensure your child enjoys his new throne.

So, without further ado, let’s get started:

What Is A High Chair?

Before we get started with the nitty gritty details, you’re probably asking yourself: “what is a high chair?” Well, put simply, it is a chair with long legs that babies or small children can sit in to undertake various activities.

A high chair gives your baby a safe and comfortable place to learn about a variety of foods, textures, and objects. It’s also a great place for him to fine tune his motor skills. But, high chairs have a number of benefits, many of which we will go through in more detail below.

Most importantly, a high chair is much more than just a place for your kiddo to eat his meals. It’s the perfect place for him to take his daily nap or even play games. You’ll also quickly notice that having a high chair will bring you a number of surprising benefits.

It’s a great way for you to make mealtimes more manageable and you’ll find that cleaning up is not as much of a chore as you’ll be able to do it at table level rather than constantly leaning down.

High chairs are particularly practical if you are a new parent because you’ll be able to take a breather knowing that your child is strapped in safe. It’s the perfect way for you to get some jobs done around the house while your child stays entertained.

There is now a high chair for every occasion, and they come in all shapes and sizes so you need to work out which one is best for you and your baby.

Some factors you should take into consideration are:

There is no doubt that a high chair is perfect for keeping your baby safe, entertained, and well fed. However, these factors will hugely depend on the components you choose when buying it. For example, a tray will help you with mealtimes, while straps will keep your child secure.

You need to work out what is most important from your perspective and your baby’s. To help you, here are some of the most important components you should consider when looking at the multitude of high chairs on the market.

High Chair Components

If you’re considering which high chair to get for your child, you may want to think about the components you’ll both need to get the most out of it. High chairs are often sold in 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 sets, and you’ll also have to choose the best components, for example:

We’re going to take you through each feature listed above so that you can understand what it’s used for and why it’s important you have one.

Trays

Young children need trays like we need tables. An adjustable tray that can be moved both closer and farther away from your child will make eating and playing more comfortable. It’s also really important that you choose one that is removable for two main reasons:

Aside from opting for a tray that can withstand large spillages, consider choosing one that is dishwasher safe.

If you plan on keeping your high chair as your baby grows, go for a tray that has different locking positions so that you can adapt it to your child’s size.

Most importantly, safety first! When you adjust or position the tray, be sure that your child’s hands are out of the way.

Or better yet, choose one that uses magnets to attach the tray to the chair. You can also find one that has a built-in cup holder.

Straps And Safety Harnesses

A safety harness is a perfect component for keeping your baby safe, especially if the tray has been removed. Although you’re only required to use a three-point harness, a five-point harness does add a higher level of stability and security.

It’s important that you choose a harness that you can buckle up easily, but that your child cannot undo. Also, choose a harness that has adjustable straps so that it continues to fit your child as he grows.

Ideally, choose straps that are made of rubber or are rubber covered so that you can clean them easily. You also need to make sure that:

Crotch Posts

A crotch post is another vital safety feature that your high chair needs. It is a pole that attaches to the seat, tray, or both and goes between both your child’s legs preventing it from sliding through the leg holes.

You need to make sure that the chair your purchase has a crotch post for it to comply with ASTM safety standards.

Foot Rest

Young children do not know how to multitask as they develop their motor skills, and although they are able to sit up straight when there is nothing else for them to focus on, the same cannot be said during mealtimes.

A footrest will provide your child with balance as he’ll be able to put pressure on his feet rather than slide down into the seat. This will also make mealtimes more manageable from your perspective as he’ll be less likely to kick his legs out.²

Seat Covers

One of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing a baby chair is your child’s comfort. Mealtimes can be challenging at best, but if your baby is uncomfortable, you and your neighbors are going to know about it.

Padded seats can be a nuisance to clean compared to wooden or plastic ones, so choose one that is removable so that you can shake out any crumbs that fall into the cracks as well as wipe it down easily.

Put thought into the material you want your baby to sit. For example, cloth seats are harder to clean than vinyl. However, vinyl dries out and will start cracking with age, leading to chunks falling or peeling off which could eventually become a choking hazard.

More modern seat covers come in foam or rubber. They normally come in one piece that you can lift, remove, and clean easily.

Foldability

If you are looking for a portable high chair that you can fold for storage, you are best to compare different models as they will offer different latch systems and sizes. Look at secure latches that engage as soon as you open the chair and that do not close when it is in use.

When looking for a portable high chair, you may also want to consider choosing one with a lock that stops it from opening up while you are carrying it from one place to another. This mechanism is also a great way to avoid any small fingers getting pinched.

Adjustability

Old fashioned high chairs traditionally cannot be adjusted and are fixed at one height whereas newer models offer infinite positions for you to choose from. Some considerations when looking at a high chair’s adjustability would be to make sure that the chair can:

Wheels

If you feed your baby in different rooms, look at high chairs with wheels. You can choose a high chair with two wheels which needs to be titled to move it or one with four wheels for which the wheels need to be locked in for security once moved.

If your house is carpeted throughout, you may want to think again! Carpet can get caught in the wheels leading to tears, a broken high chair, or worse, your child hurting himself.

The Benefits Of Having A High Chair

High chairs have become baby gear essentials in many households today. The most common reason for using a high chair is for your child to be part of your family meals. This is a place where your child will learn about food as well as socializing and table manners.

But, to make sure that your baby is a healthy and happy eater, you need to be sure he is comfortable.

In fact, pediatricians now recommend that a baby is able to sit upright before introducing solid foods into his diet and a high chair can help move this process along.

Because fine motor skills are dependent on stability, you need to make sure that your baby has the right physical support from a young age.

But, it’s worth noting that developing motor skills is not the only benefit of using a high chair.

Below are some of the biggest advantages of using a high chair for your child:

They Are Designed Specifically For Children

A high chair offers the most comfortable seated position to your child. It is customized for your child’s small frame and can be adjusted to grow with him until he no longer needs it and can sit up at the dinner table with adults.

You can recline your chair to bottle feed your baby, and as he grows, you can slowly adjust the sitting position, size, and more, to bring your child to an upright position where he will be able to sit like an adult.

They Encourage Social Activity

Nobody likes to feel left out and that goes for children too. As your child grows he is going to want to be part of the action. A high chair is a perfect way for your child to engage with family members as you’ll all be sitting at the same height.

Being at eye level with the rest of the members of your family means your child can learn from their behavior. It is the perfect way to teach your child healthy eating habits, table manners, and social skills.

They Help Develop Motor Skills

Because your child is at eye level you can play games with him more easily. Playing engaging games that help him with his coordination is the perfect way to encourage the development of his motor skills, some examples, could be peekaboo, patty cake and building blocks.

You should also encourage him to draw, or in most cases scribble. As he grows you’ll be able to teach him basic writing skills starting with the alphabet and writing his name. Doing all the above from a high chair will mean your child is comfortable and stable as he learns.

They Encourage Healthy And Happy Eating

Because your child is at eye level, he’ll be able to see and smell what you and your other family members are eating. This will lead to a natural interest in different foods and a desire to experiment with them.

Studies have proved that exposing children to a variety of foods from a young age will encourage them to become healthy and happy eaters. Couple this with your family showing enjoyment from the food they eat and you’ll convince your little one to give things a try.⁵

Your Child Will Be Less Likely To Throw Food

Because there is more surface area in front of him, he’ll be less likely to throw food around. And if that’s not enough for him to stop throwing food, at least it won’t be as likely to land on the floor thanks to the high chair tray!

Aside from food, high chairs are great for teaching your child to not throw his plate, cutlery, bowl, or cup. Because they’ll bounce straight back on the tray, your little one will find throwing objects much less enjoyable.

They Are Easy To Clean

If you're a new parent who is sleep deprived there is nothing worse than having to clean up huge messes every day. Well, luckily, high chairs have become increasingly easy to clean as they are normally made of plastic. All you need is a bit of soap and water and you’re done.

You can choose padded seating that has a plastic coating making it easy to wipe down quickly. Also, consider opting for safety straps covered in, or made of rubber. Choose a tray that is removable, stain resistant, and dishwasher friendly, and you’ve got a winning combo.

They Keep Your Child Away From Harms Way

You can’t carry your child every time you have to go somewhere and you can’t sit your newborn on a normal chair at the dinner table at the risk of him falling off and hurting himself. A high chair is a perfect way to put your mind at rest as you’ll know that your child is safely strapped in.

As we mentioned above, high chairs come with a variety of safety features including straps, harnesses, a crotch post, and a footstep to make sure he can’t wriggle out and fall. As long as you make sure all the clips are in place and he is well fastened you don’t need to worry.

They Give You The Chance To Focus On Other Things

This level of security will give you a chance to catch up on your day-to-day activities while your child plays or has a nap. You can get up-to-date on chores, work, or even just take a break and read a book on the sofa next to him.

With a high chair, you don’t have to be alert every second of every day. It gives you back the “you” time that you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

They Come With Loads Of Features

Of course, it will depend on the model of high chair you buy, but most come with a variety of features to choose from. When choosing the features you want for your high chair, always consider:

We would suggest you choose:

They Are An Educational Tool

A recent study showed that children are more likely to name more foods when in their high chair. This may sound strange but bear with us! The study presented kids aged 16-months-old with food with fake names. They then offered the same foods months later.

The children who were in their high chairs were better at identifying the foods by name than children in different environments. Put simply, children learn by feeling and playing, and a high chair allows them to make those experiments safely.

Making The High Chair A Place Your Child Will Love

You need to make sure you are buying a high chair your child is going to love. You may be thinking “he’s only 1 he won’t know the difference”, well think again! If your child doesn’t like his high chair, trust us, you’re going to know about it.

When choosing a high chair for your child there are a few things you should take into consideration, for example:

Your Child’s Age And Size

Firstly, comfort is key so finding a high chair that suits your child’s size is crucial.

You need to make sure he has enough space to wriggle around but not enough space to get loose, fall out, and hurt himself.

Don’t forget that your child is inevitably going to grow. If you have finally found a chair that he is comfortable in, make sure it is adjustable.

Humans are creatures of habit and if you change your child’s high chair once he is comfortable in it he may put up a serious fight.

The Amount Of Time He Will Be Spending In It

Each meal can last up to one hour, especially for a young child who gets easily distracted and is learning as he eats. Couple that with the fact that you may put him in his high chair to get some of your own jobs done and you are looking at him being in it for a good 3 to 4 hours a day.

Imagine sitting on a solid chair for 4 hours a day, you’re not going to be comfortable. By choosing padded seats for your child you may find he doesn’t even want to leave his high chair. The best part is, they’re easy to remove and clean, so everyone's a winner.

What Functions Will He Need

If you have a newborn, you need to be able to recline him in his seat to bottle feed him. On the other hand, a toddler will want to sit up straight to play and explore his food. Think about the features your child will appreciate.

You can also look at features and accessories such as:

High Chair Wrap Up

As we’ve learned, a high chair is far more than just a dining space for a child. It is a place where he can play, learn, socialize, and even take a nap.

It is also a great way for you to get jobs done or take a breather.

The key to your child’s high chair standing the test of time is to buying one that is adjustable and keeping it clean throughout its lifespan.

Make sure to wash it after every use and opt for features that make the cleaning process that little bit easier for you.

If you’re convinced that a high chair is the best option for you and your child but don’t know where to start, check out our high chair buying guide where we’ve reviewed some of the top high chairs on the market today.