What to Look for When Choosing the Best Baby Highchair
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If you’re in the market for a highchair for your baby, your little one is likely near the beginning of his or her feeding journey into the world of starting solids! This is an exciting time of life and a stage that can be so enjoyable.
It may seem like any highchair will do, but the truth is, choosing a high chair with certain attributes can make an enormous difference in your baby’s level of comfort, attention span, and overall experience at mealtimes - not to mention your own!
A highchair is an important piece of equipment given how often it is used (multiple times a day!), so if you’re going to invest in anything for your littlest eater, this is the place to do it! BUT please do not worry if you already have a highchair that doesn’t necessarily have all the attributes I mention here. There are lots of budget-friendly hacks and ways to modify chairs that will easily do the trick.
For those of you creating baby registries or getting ready to shop, here are 5 essential tips to keep in mind when it comes time to choose the best baby highchair.
Tips for Choosing the Best Baby Highchair
1. Look for a highchair that keeps baby seated upright.
There are many options on the market for highchairs that include a reclining feature. While this may seem enticing and ok for bottle feeding, leaning a baby back in the highchair during solid food meals actually increases choking risk. Whether a baby is eating purees, mashes, soft foods, or finger foods, chewing and swallowing are very involved oral motor functions. If a baby is not sitting totally upright while performing these tasks, gravity can more easily pull a bite of food toward the back of the mouth and throat before a baby is ready to swallow it, and/or before it has been thoroughly mashed down with gums. When it comes to safety, sitting upright with hips, knees, and ankles at 90° angles is best!
2. Opt for a highchair that includes an adjustable footrest.
Have you ever eaten a meal at a tall table while sitting on a barstool that left your feet dangling? I don’t know about you, but when I am sitting on a stool with no place to rest my feet, it puts pressure on my low back and causes me to fidget. In fact, it really does make eating much less enjoyable. Keeping your baby’s feet supported during mealtimes helps improve trunk stability, focus, and coordination. Having feet planted on a footrest also enables baby to feel more grounded, connected to the chair, and comfortable. It can even help reduce the likelihood of mouth stuffing, food and highchair refusal, and lack of interest in food. If the highchair you like does not include a footrest, you can always improvise! Here are some options:
All these choices can make it daunting to pick out just the right one for your baby or toddler. Plus, you need to find one that fits your family's budget and style. Learn more about important safety and function features so you know what to look for in a high chair.
There are many different types of high chairs on the market. Some of the options include standard high chairs, foldable models, clip-on types, and high chairs that grow with your child. High chairs can be made with different materials like plastic or wood and in a variety of aesthetics. There are also important safety issues to consider.
Finding the right high chair for your baby is key to making mealtime a pleasant experience . Since the chair has to withstand about two years of heavy use (not to mention possible hand-me-down duty), you want to make sure it's a model that's safe, well-made, sturdy, easy to use, and easy to clean.
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Functionality
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When looking for the best high chair for your family, start by asking yourself two important questions: Can you get your baby in and out of the high chair without a problem? Will the high chair fit in the space where you plan to use it? If the answer to both questions is yes, you're on the right track. Now it's time to make sure your pick has the other functions and features you're seeking.
Does it have a tray that you can operate with one hand?
Being able to navigate your high chair one-handed can come in handy when you have your hands full.
Does it have wheels that lock to keep the chair stationary when in use?
You might look for models with wheels if you'll be moving your high chair around a lot, such as pushing it to the table for meals and then back against a wall for storage.
Does it take up a lot of space?
Some options fold up, making them a good choice for small spaces, occasional use, or as a secondary high chair for other caregiver's homes.
Can it grow with your baby?
Most high chairs today come with a transition option, which might mean that the seat can be used as a comfy cradle, in an upright position for first-time feeding, as a toddler booster for independent eaters, and maybe more.
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Safety Features
Elena Stepanova/Shutterstock
Safety is crucial when choosing the best high chair. Ask yourself the following questions before buying.
Does the high chair fit my baby or toddler?
Make sure that the high chair is the right size for your baby and/or that it will grow with your baby. If the high chair seat is too big, your baby could potentially wiggle out or move around too much. If it's too small, their body might get pinched or tug against the tray or sides of the chair.
Does the high chair have seat straps that easily buckle and unbuckle?
If the straps are difficult to manage, you'll be less likely to use them. This matters because the majority of high chair accidents occur because babies aren't buckled in. Using a three- or five-point harness keeps your little one safe.
Is it JPMA certified?
Manufacturers can opt to have high chairs tested and approved by the independent Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). If there's a JPMA seal on a high chair, it has met the association's safety standards.
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Comfort
CATHARINE DELAHAYE/GETTY
If you want your baby to stay seated long enough for a meal, comfort is key. Your own ease of use is vital to take into account as well. Here are some comfort-related questions to consider:
- Will the high chair be comfortable for your baby to sit in?
- Does it have a well-padded seat and footrest?
- Will it be easy to lift or move around your home?
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Cleanliness
MaaHoo Studio/Stocksy United
Babies are notoriously messy eaters, and that means you'll need to consider how easy your top pick is to clean up after a messy meal.
Most high chairs come with a vinyl seat that can be wiped clean. Look at how the cushion and frame fit together and imagine a scenario involving yogurt, spaghetti with tomato sauce, or everyday crumbs. The fewer seams and crevices, the better.
You might consider getting a high chair with the tray-within-a-tray feature, where the top tray pops out for cleaning in your sink or dishwasher. Some high chairs even come with an extra tray so that if one is being washed, you have another to use in the meantime. In other words, look for features that make keeping the high chair clean and ready to use easier.
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