If you’re looking to buy a high chair for your little one, prepare to be absolutely spoilt for choice. Options are aplenty, what with physical as well as e-stores offering a dizzying array fitted with all sorts of bells and whistles, quickly landing you in a state of ‘analysis paralysis’.
Let us help you cut through the clutter. Here’s a quick lowdown on the types of high chairs in the market and what you need to look for when purchasing one.
For every parent, the journey of their child’s growth – from the time they take their first independent breaths to their first steps – make for some of the fondest, most endearing memories that will last a lifetime. And you wish you could freeze every single moment, don’t you – especially when the munchkin begins forming words, blurting out the cutest tirade of baby babble ever. Family mealtimes will never be the same again as they learn to communicate and connect with family members.
Which is why high chairs can be an important tool, particularly when babies acquire a taste for solid foods like porridge and purees. Offering a world of convenience for both mommy and baby, a high chair really does help make family mealtimes a precious, pleasing experience for everyone.
For those eyeing one, your options are aplenty, what with physical as well as e-stores offering a dizzying array of high chairs fitted with various features, discounts and extras smothering you down a quicksand of ‘analysis paralysis’.
So how do you pick the most suitable one for your baby? Due diligence is necessary, of course, so here’s a quick lowdown on the types of high chairs in the market and what you need to look out for when purchasing one.
Zero In On The Type
Though there exists a mind-boggling number of high chair models out there varying in style and design, they can essentially be split into five categories: traditional, multipurpose/modular, grow-with-me, travel and hook-on. And the best ones, regardless of type, provide sufficient support for your baby, are easy to clean and lets you get your baby in and out with complete ease. They’re also sturdy enough to withstand wear-and-tear.
Traditional High Chair
Also referred to as a standard or classic high chair, these are pretty basic – simple in design, typically on the bulky side, largely made for home use and can’t be folded for travel. Traditional high chairs are best suited for families on a budget or parents who simply prefer the basics without the fancy frills. These days, however, high-end models can be found featuring sleek aesthetics and styling using quality fabric.
Multipurpose/Modular High Chair
These feature a seat unit that comes with a tray and base; the seat can be taken off the chair frame and transformed into a booster seat by fitting it into a standard-size dining chair. As your baby continues to grow, you could remove the booster tray and adjust the seat base closer to enable the little one to enjoy mealtime right at the dining table.
Grow-With-Me High Chairs
As the name clearly suggests, grow-with-me high chairs are made to accommodate the different development stages of your child. Primarily made of wood, these can be converted into chairs for toddlers, some even lasting into adolescence and young adulthood. Thanks to its wooden construction, it could easily pass off as another piece of furniture, a characteristic that most parents find appealing.
Travel High Chairs
If you are always on the move with the little one, or enjoy dining out regularly with the family, then the travel high chair is the perfect option – particularly handy at establishments that don’t necessarily have child-friendly seating as it fits snugly over the back of any regular-size chair, complete with a safety harness. Usually constructed of fabric, they are lightweight and can be effortlessly folded down to a fairly small size, making it super portable and easy to travel with.
“The safety of your child is paramount, so ensure the high chair is equipped with a safety-restraint system with a five-point harness and a crotch post so baby is strapped in securely and is unable to stand up or wiggle out.”
Hook-On High Chairs
If you’re concerned about high chairs taking up space in your home, the hook-on high chair is for you. Like the travel high chair, hook-ons are also portable. Essentially a seat (rather than a chair) they are legless, and come with soft-grip arms and clamps so you can hook it to the dining table – be it at home, restaurant or visiting family. These are, however, only suitable for smaller babies as hook-ons don’t have legs to support upper weight range.
What To Look For
With a smorgasbord of high chair models available out there, getting utterly lost in the clutter is easy. Here are some essential tips to help you rise above the confusion and make well-informed decisions before making that purchase.
Safety First
The safety of your child is paramount, so ensure the high chair is equipped with a safety-restraint system with a five-point harness and a crotch post so baby is strapped in securely and is unable to stand up or wiggle out. Also, go for the ones with lockable wheels, and inspect the high chair’s overall weight and sturdiness; those with wide bases are naturally more stable and won’t easily topple.
Upright Seating
If your baby isn’t perfectly comfy in the high chair, chances are he or she is going to be fidgeting a lot to find the best angle for optimum comfort, or they might try to skip the meal altogether and leave the chair. The key is upright seating, meaning a 90-degree angle at the hips, knees and ankles.
Footrest
Hardly anyone prefers eating while seated on a stool with their feet dangling below, let alone babies; plus eating this way is not ideal for your baby’s core support and stability. Foot support is necessary as it provides babies with the most stable sitting position, keeping them from pulling their legs up into the seat with them to feel at ease, thus getting them focused during mealtimes.
Removable & Adjustable Tray
A tray that can be adjusted in height helps babies rest their elbows comfortably while eating as this enables optimal range of motion. A removable tray is also very handy when you want your baby joining you at the dinner table for a meal, plus it makes cleaning a whole lot easier.
Ease of Cleaning
Babies aren’t exactly the tidiest eaters. Food often tend to end up on every other surface but their mouth, which can be frustrating for parents. So when choosing a high chair, make sure it is easy to wipe down and clean, including nooks and crannies that trap food particles, dirt and germs.
Baby In, Baby Out
Getting your baby in and out of a high chair with confident ease – and safely – should be a key consideration when making a purchase. After all, what good is a high chair that only adds stress, instead of making life easier for parents. It’s best to bring your child with you to the store when checking out high chairs so you can test it out for yourself.
Space
Homes aren’t created equal, and that includes the size of kitchens. So if your dining area is part of your modest-size kitchen, then you’d be wise to choose a high chair that doesn’t take up too much space as you will want the convenience of maneuvering the high chair easily with baby in it during mealtimes.
High Chair Safety
Top 7 Tips
- Always make sure your child is supervised while seated in the high chair as their animated movements might cause the chair to topple. So keep an eye on baby at all times.
- Babies and toddlers are born explorers, which means they’re ready to wiggle out of the high chair at a drop of a hat, so ensure they’re buckled up and strapped in snugly and securely.
- Wheels or rollers enable high chairs to be moved around easily. But make sure they’re locked before you slide your baby in. Locked wheels also keep baby from wandering off solo when you’re not looking.
- Maintain a safe distance between the high chair and the dining table. This prevents unexpected falls should the baby stretch their legs and kick or push (as babies often do).
- Never overlook the overall weight and sturdiness of a high chair. Those with wide bases provide more stability and won’t tip over easily. This is an especially important tip if you have a bouncy, high-energy child.
- For those who opt for the hook-on high chair, do ensure your dining table is sturdy enough to support baby’s weight.
- Clean and disinfect the high chair frequently (preferably after each meal or use) to keep your little one from getting sick.
