Choosing and Buying a High Chair

Is it comfortable?

Look for seat padding, sharp edges, a footrest and plenty of room for growth.
Does it have a contoured back-rest, like the Enzi Chair?

Is it adjustable?

A modular adjustable highchair is such a winner – it will see to all your feeding needs and beyond.
Shorter span feeding chairs are outgrown at 2 – 3 yrs of age; a child at this age is not able to sit on an adult dining chair and still requires a functional chair with back & foot support. The need for postural support is amplified when the child starts school at 4 – 6 yrs of age as they need to sit for longer - be it for meals, various table top activities (read boardgames with family) and with the onset of school for some homework. A chair with an adjustable sit and foot rest becomes priceless to have.

Does it have a removable tray that adjusts easily to allow easy access even when a toddler’s legs go rigid?

A removable and or adjustable tray as opposed to one that is permanently fixed is super convenient – think manoeuvrability – gives you enough room to easily get your growing child in and out of the chair not to mention easier to clean too.

Is it easy to clean?

More crucial than you might think, unless of course someone else is going to be doing the cleaning. Look out for hidden crevices and whether the whole tray comes out easily. Can you remove the cushion set and is it wipe clean and or machine washable?

Is it portable?

This may not seem that important at first, but if, like a lot of folks, you end up using the highchair as a safe play area while you cook, or eat at different places (dining, lounge, patio etc), you might want to consider how easy it is to lug it from one room to the next - with or without a child inside it.

Is it safe?

Look out for a sturdy wide base and proper harness (or the possibility of attaching one) that secures your child firmly across the hips and between the legs; this way your child can’t stand up or slip out from under the tray. Also, the straps should be adjustable to accommodate a growing child.

What does it look like?

This may not matter to you at all, but if you think it might, bear in mind you will be living with this decision for some time. As one forlorn user commented: “We spent a fortune doing up our kitchen/diner, which is now sullied by a hideous pink and yellow monstrosity of a high chair. We thought we’d fold it away after each use, but we don’t. I wish we’d gone for a wooden one.”