Highchairs and low chairs
Through the baby months to toddlerhood you may find you need more than one type of
chair for feeding and play as your baby grows.
Before he can sit up he may enjoy a bouncing or rocking chair, which may double up for
first feeds.
Once your baby is sitting up (from around 6 months) he will enjoy sharing family
mealtimes in a highchair.
From around two years, he will either move on to a booster seat or a raised chair that
will fit at the table.
He will also need something to use when you are visiting friends or on holiday - this
is where a clip-on seat or a fabric travel seat can be useful
What to look for
- How comfortable is it? Learning about eating can be stressful at times, the least you
can do is make it a comfortable experience
- Will it cater for his changing needs as he grows? Remember that your baby is likely to
use the highchair from around six months up to around two years. Some designs convert to
table and chair and can be used beyond this for playing and eating snacks
- How much room will it take up? If space is at a premium, think about the overall size as
well as the facility to fold it down and put it away when not needed
- Does it have a harness? Babies and toddlers must wear a harness or recognised restraint
in the highchair at all times. The best harness is a 5-point which means it goes over the
shoulders, round the middle and between the legs. Many highchairs have these as a fixed
feature; if not, check that there are D-shaped rings at the base of the seat area for
attaching your own harness
- Is the tray a good size with high edges to prevent food from falling on to the floor?
- How easy will it be to keep clean? Awkward crevices and corners will soon become sticky
and unhygienic. A removable tray makes cleaning much easier
- Is the seat cushioning replaceable? Many highchairs are PVC covered which is soft and
warm to sit on, but also prone to wear and tear and doesn’t take kindly to
disinfectant. Some highchair manufacturers offer replacement seat cushioning
What’s available
