Is your little one ready to start solids? Just when you've got the hang of feeding down pat and are into a bit of a groove with your routine, baby grows and everything changes all over again. Weaning babies onto real food can be a whole lot of fun (okay a whole lot of mess too, but nothing you can't deal with). When it comes time to do so, there's one essential you absolutely need to invest in; a high chair. Read on to find out our top picks for your child's chair in 2022.
When to buy baby high chairs?
Wondering at what age can your baby use a high chair? From the time your child is able to sit up (generally anywhere from 3 months to around 6 months), it's considered a good time to introduce a baby high chair. You'll know the time is right when your child can sit up straight on their own, and start eating solids.
Types of high chairs
When it comes to choosing the best baby high chair, there are actually lots of different types to consider. Take a read of the different options to get an understanding of what might work best for your child and family.
Standard High Chairs
As the name implies, these are your 'bread and butter' of the highchair world. They're the traditional big and practical baby feeding chair that perhaps your parents used with you. Generally, they will include a removable food tray, and padded cushioning on the seat to make it comfy for your child. They are very stable, however, they do take up a lot of room. You can easily find this type as a wooden high chair or in plastic.
Foldable High Chairs
If you're tight on space, you might want to consider a baby chair that folds up when not in use. This is also a great option if you're travelling and want to take a high chair with you. They're similar to a standard chair, but generally more lightweight and of course take up less space.
Grow along High Chairs
Also known as a convertible high chair, this is like the Rolls Royce of baby chairs. As the name suggests, this is a chair that grows with your baby taking them from the weaning stage where you use it as a traditional high chair, into toddlerhood until around 10 years of age. Given their ability to transform and adapt, they come with a heftier price tag.
Space Saver High Chairs
Within this category you can find chairs that mount onto dining tables; booster seats; and chairs without legs that hook onto tables. They are all designed to take up the least amount of space possible and also works well if you're travelling or going to someone else's house for lunch.
Are high chairs safe?
First things first, it's important to buy a high chair that complies with the Australian Standard Safety regulations. However, it's also important to make sure your child is supervised in their chair at all times. Some things to look out for when buying your baby chairs include:
- Stable chair that doesn't rock too much
- Easy to clean
- Five point harness to secure your child
- Eating tray that your baby can't move
Make sure to never set up your chair near the kitchen bench, appliance cords, stovetops or within reach of anything that your baby could grab.
3 best high chairs for babies
Whether you're looking for a baby feeding chair to last you the year, or something to use even into the toddler years, these chairs fit the bill.
