Ready to start introducing solids or purees to your baby? The first step is to make sure you have a high chair that is safe and sturdy for your baby. However, getting a high chair will depend on how big your home is, what kind of budget you have and what works best for your baby. Luckily, our Chick Picks of The Best High Chairs for Baby will help you out.
Before making your purchase, you’ll want to ensure that your baby is ready to use a high chair. If they’re not ready to use a high chair, they’re likely not ready to take on solids. Here are some of the main basic guidelines to follow:
- Your baby should be able to sit mostly unassisted and maintain good head control
- Baby can open their mouth when food is offered
- Your baby doesn’t have a tongue thrust reflex (meaning they’re able to swallow food and not just push it back out)
You can find more guidelines laid out in the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What to Look for in a High Chair
When it comes to finding a high chair, there will be a variety of things to consider:
- Affordability – The very most important thing to consider is your budget. If you know you have a small budget, it will do no good to be looking at the most expensive high chairs on the market. Even if they have all the bells and whistles, write down the range you’re able to spend and work from there.
- Lifestyle – If you’re a family always on the go, getting a high chair that is portable and easy to travel with will be important to you. This could mean a small seat high chair or one that easily folds up for convenience.
- Safety – Next up is safety. You need to ensure that the high chair you choose has a 3 or 5-point harness system. Other safety features include a footrest, lockable wheels (for high chairs on wheels), and a stable chair that’s not flimsy or quickly knocked over. Read here for high chair safety tips.
- Space – If you live in a small home, having a high chair that can easily fold up when not in use can come in handy. Another alternative is finding a high chair that doesn’t take up much space from the getgo.
You should be starting to know what preferences you have for your high chair. This will only make it that much easier when you read through our Chick Pick list below.
How to Use a High Chair
Using a high chair isn’t as simple as just placing your baby in and hoping for the best. For instance, if the high chair you use has more of a wide bucket-style seat and your baby needs some support to sit, consider adding in a rolled towel to ensure their support.
You also need to make sure your baby has the 90/90/90 positioning down. This means they’ll have a 90-degree bend in the hips, knees, and ankles (thanks to a quality footrest system). This ensures your baby is in the safest position to consume their foods.
The Best High Chairs for Baby
Now that you know what to look out for in a high chair, it’s time to look through our top Chick Picks so you can find the best one. Plus, this list keeps all budgets in mind, so there are options for everyone.