Baby High Chairs & Accessories

The best way to know if your baby is ready to use a high chair is to observe their development. Generally, babies are ready to use a high chair when they can sit up on their own without support, usually around 6 months of age. However, some babies may be ready earlier or later, depending on their individual development. Before introducing your baby to a high chair, make sure they can hold their head up and have good neck control.

Choosing the right high chair can be difficult, especially with the variety of styles and features available today. When choosing a highchair, consider factors such as your child's age and size, your own lifestyle and needs, safety standards, and the features that are most important to you. Some popular features include adjustable height, recline positions, removable trays, and compact designs for easy storage. For more information, check out our comprehensive guide on how to choose the right highchair for you.

Our baby high chairs at The Memo are foldable and easy to move around the house. If space is at a minimum in your dining area for storing these chairs, you’ll be happy to know that the trays detach, allowing you to push the chair in at your main dining table with ease and throw the tray in the dishwasher to wash.

The purpose of a high chair is to provide a safe and comfortable seat for an infant or toddler during meal times. It elevates your child to table height, making it easier for you to feed them and for your child to engage in family meals. High chairs are generally equipped with a tray for food, as well as safety features such as straps and a stable base to prevent tipping. They are designed to be easy to clean and often have features like height adjustability and the ability to recline, catering to the needs of growing children.

A high chair and a booster seat serve similar functions in that they aim to elevate your child during meal times, but there are key differences between the two:

• High Chair:
  • A standalone piece of furniture specifically designed for infants and toddlers.
  • Comes with its own tray for placing food, although some models can also be adjusted to be at the same height as a dining table.
  • Usually equipped with a variety of safety features, such as harnesses and a stable base, to securely hold younger children who may not yet be able to sit up unassisted.
  • May offer features like height adjustability, reclining positions, and footrests.
  • Generally takes up more space and can be more difficult to store.
• Booster Seat:
  • A seat that attaches to an existing chair to elevate your child to table height.
  • Does not usually come with its own tray, so your child would typically eat at the main dining table.
  • Primarily intended for toddlers and older children who can sit up unaided but are not tall enough to reach the table.
  • Usually more portable and easier to store than a high chair, making them convenient for travel or dining out.
  • May have fewer safety features than a high chair, such as a simple strap to secure it to the dining chair, but generally not a full harness.

The transition from a high chair to a booster seat often occurs around the age of 18 months to 3 years. Here are some indicators that your child may be ready for a booster seat:

• Physical readiness: Your child can sit up unassisted and has good trunk control.
• Behavioural readiness: Your child can follow simple instructions and understands the concept of sitting still during meal times.
• Height and weight: Your child has outgrown the weight or height limitations of the high chair, as indicated by the manufacturer's guidelines.
• Interest: Your child shows an interest in sitting at the 'big table' with the rest of the family.
• Motor skills: Your child has developed the fine motor skills needed to eat with some level of independence, such as using a spoon or picking up finger foods.

Booster seats are not a universal requirement, but they offer several advantages that can make meal times safer and more engaging for your child. They elevate your child to a height that allows for safer and more comfortable eating at a table, which minimizes risks like choking. Moreover, being at table height fosters a sense of inclusion and enables easier interaction with family members, aiding social development. Boosters can also serve as a helpful transition between a high chair and a standard dining chair, assisting your child in honing the motor skills and behavioral readiness needed for more formal dining settings. They're typically more portable and easier to clean than high chairs, making them convenient for dining out or traveling. Additionally, their compact design is ideal for families with limited space.

Ensuring the safety of your child while using high chairs and booster seats is paramount. Here are some safety tips to consider:

• High Chairs:
  • Always use the safety harness: Make sure the safety harness is securely fastened around your child to prevent them from standing or falling out of the chair.
  • Check for stability: Before placing your child in the high chair, give it a little shake to ensure it is stable and won't easily tip over.
  • Place carefully: Position the high chair away from walls or tables to prevent children from pushing against them and potentially tipping the chair over.
  • Keep items out of reach: Ensure there are no sharp or hazardous objects within your child's reach, including tablecloths they could pull on.
• Booster Seats:
  • Secure firmly: Ensure the booster seat is securely attached to an adult chair, following the manufacturer's guidelines.
  • Use straps: If the booster seat comes with safety straps, use them to secure your child in place.
  • Table distance: Place the booster seat at a safe distance from the table to prevent your child from pushing against it, which could cause the booster and chair to tip backward.
  • Suitable chair: Attach the booster seat to a sturdy, stable chair. Avoid chairs that have wheels or are otherwise unstable.
  • Weight and age guidelines: Always follow the manufacturer's weight and age guidelines to ensure the booster seat is appropriate for your child.

Most importantly, never leave your child unattended in a high chair or booster.

High chairs and booster seats don't have a specific "expiration date" in the way that some products like car seats or perishable goods do. However, they can become unsafe for use over time due to wear and tear, changes in safety standards, or if they have been involved in any sort of accident, like a fall.

When your baby starts feeding themselves, it's a significant milestone that comes with its own set of challenges and delights. Start by offering age-appropriate utensils that are easy for little hands to grip, as well as finger foods like soft fruits and cooked vegetables that they can easily manage. Always ensure your baby is securely seated in a high chair or booster seat with safety straps during meals, and keep a watchful eye to minimize the risk of choking. Embrace the mess as part of the learning process; it's not just about eating but also about exploring textures and tastes. To introduce your baby to various flavors and nutrients, offer a diverse range of foods, but introduce new items one at a time to monitor for potential allergies. Maintain a consistent mealtime routine to help your baby adjust to this new phase, and always have cleaning supplies at hand for inevitable spills.

Many modern high chair brands are moving towards more eco-friendly and non-toxic materials, including BPA-free plastics, in response to consumer demand for safer products for children. We stock high chairs from brands such as Bugaboo, Bumbo, Childhome, Leander, Mamas & Papas, My Happy Helpers, Redsbaby, and Stokke. While some are made from plastic, others are made of European beechwood and low-density foam material.

It’s effortless to clean the high chairs. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the tray, seat, and other surfaces after each use. Some trays may be dishwasher-safe. Check the manufacturer's instructions.

Many high chairs come with height-adjustable settings. This is especially useful if you want to align the high chair with a dining table or a kitchen island. As your child grows, you can lower the height so that their feet rest more comfortably.

Some high chairs also offer a recline feature, which can be useful for younger babies who can't sit up unassisted yet. A reclined seat may also be more comfortable for a child asleep during mealtime. However, it's essential to note that reclining positions should not be used for active feeding to reduce the risk of choking.

Some high chairs have 3-point or 5-point harness systems. Whichever type of harness your high chair has, make sure it is properly adjusted to fit your child snugly but not too tightly. Ensure the harness has a secure locking mechanism that your child can't easily undo. No matter how secure the harness, never leave your child unattended in a high chair.

High chairs often come with a variety of accessories to enhance usability and comfort, though what is included can differ depending on the brand and model. Common accessories include cushioned seats or pads that are usually removable and washable, making cleaning easier. Many high chairs also feature removable tray inserts for simplified cleaning, and some even offer dishwasher-safe trays for added convenience. Additional features might include built-in cup holders, storage pockets, or nets for stowing away bibs and wipes. Some high chairs are even designed to grow with your child and may come with conversion kits to transform them into toddler or adult chairs.

Some high chairs are designed to be portable and can fold down into a much more compact size suitable for travel or storage. These are particularly handy if you're planning to take the high chair in your car for days out or visits to relatives. However, other models may be more cumbersome and not designed with portability in mind. If you're considering traveling with a high chair, it's advisable to look for models that are specifically designed to be foldable and compact.

Many of our modern high chairs are designed to be versatile and can be used at both regular dining tables and kitchen islands. However, there are some considerations to bear in mind. The height adjustability of the high chair will be crucial in how well it aligns with your table or island. Some high chairs offer multiple height settings, allowing you to raise or lower the seat to align with different table heights. This feature is handy if you have a kitchen island that is higher than a standard dining table. Additionally, the tray's design may also be a factor; some trays are removable or can be pushed back to allow the high chair to fit more closely to the table, facilitating a more interactive mealtime experience.

Our IZIMINI range is an excellent choice if you’re heading to the beach, the bush, or just sitting in your backyard. They are lightweight and easy to fold up.

All of our high chairs offered at The Memo are sturdy and stable. You’ll need to check the manufacturer’s instructions on individual high chairs to determine the maximum weight they will support.

Yes, many of our high chairs in stock are adjustable for your baby all the way through to their toddler years.

Yes, the Redsbaby range features eco-friendly high chairs that are designed with sustainable materials and responsible manufacturing practices in mind.

Look for high chairs that offer cushioned or padded seats and backrests to provide added comfort. Some high chairs offer extra cushioning accessories as well.