How to Choose a High Chair

Your growing child will continually undergo changes in their feeding routine. From that initial first taste of solid food until the point at which they can feed themselves, a high chair is very important. 

In addition to being convenient for both mommy and baby, a chair is meant to provide safety during meals as well. Every year, though, there are several injuries reported from improper high chair use. 

Make sure you know what makes a good high chair and how to keep your kid injury-free.

What to Look for in a High Chair

High chairs come in a variety of styles, from traditional to temporary. Many have functions included for shortcuts and conveniences. These can include:

• Trays that are adjustable and can be placed in the dishwasher for cleaning
• Reclining seats that are adjustable and can accommodate bottle-feeding
• Settings for different heights to stay comfortable as your baby grows

The best high chairs are practical. An example would be a high chair that converts to a booster chair when it is time for your kid to sit at the table. Some chairs completely fold up. 

When you are dealing with space issues, a high chair that connects to a table is not necessarily a good replacement for a stand-alone chair, but if this is your only option or is planned for use while eating out or traveling, choose one that locks onto the table. It should be able to support the weight of your kid without tipping over. 

Also, your kid should not be able to swing their legs to kick the table support, because pushing against it can dislodge the seat.

What Makes a Good High Chair?

The most modern and expensive high chairs must still be used safely and properly. One of the most important aspects is that any high chair should be sturdy and not easily tipped over. Additionally, you should never leave your kid in an unattended high chair.

Many high chairs can be suitable if the following mistakes are avoided:

• Make sure your child only sits in the chair. Do not allow them to kneel or stand.
• Make sure the chair has restraint straps. Buckle the straps as soon as the kid is in the chair, never utilizing the tray as the restraint.
• Do not let older kids play on or in the high chair.
• Keep the chair safe. It should be kept away from hot surfaces. It also should be positioned away from areas that would allow a child to push off of it, like a counter, table, or wall.

Our LO is 3 months so we are starting to look for high chairs and it's pretty overwhelming with all the options. What are some good high chairs? Don't really have a budget so all price ranges are welcome - thanks in advance!