Furniture, accessories, and various feeding aids for babies are the biggest business of the millennium. Whether it's a stroller, crib, or high chair, we can find our favorite in all price ranges and qualities, from low-cost solutions to designer, expensive products.

But is the expensive option better when it comes to high chairs? Does a baby even need a high chair, and which high chair is the best on the market? We are now exploring this with the help of Éva Ambrus, the founder-owner of ManóMenü and a practicing mother.

 

Does a baby need a high chair?

Although most parents eventually buy a high chair for practical and comfort reasons, there is no need for one in the first months - and there are alternative solutions later if we cannot or do not want to decide.

When starting complementary feeding, at 4-6 months, not every baby can sit stably, so we must decide which complementary feeding recommendation we consider as a rule of thumb: that allergens should be introduced before the first year of life, or that we should start complementary feeding only with a baby who can sit stably. 

I personally think that it is ideal if both conditions are met, but the likelihood of avoiding future food sensitivities and allergies is aided by starting complementary feeding in time, so this rule should be considered primary. If the baby is not yet sitting stably alone during this period, we can use a baby carrier or a high chair with an adjustable seat angle. This way, the high chair follows the baby's movement development steps and provides a comfortable, safe, and convenient position at any stage of life. 

It is important to know, however, that feeding in a semi-reclined position requires careful attention and responsible parental behavior, as this position increases the likelihood of aspiration and the development of middle ear infections.

 

 

How to Choose a High Chair for Your Baby!

Finding the perfect high chair requires considering numerous practical and ergonomic aspects, and I've gathered the most important ones for you. Let's see what to pay attention to when choosing a high chair:

1. Look for a high chair that supports the baby's back and waist, helps them sit upright, but does not restrict their movement. Solutions that support the neck and head and limit the field of vision are unnecessary and can cause discomfort for the baby.

2. The tray of the high chair should be comfortably accessible for the baby. If you opt for a high chair without a tray, choose one that can be comfortably pushed to the table, is of appropriate height, and helps the little one join the table company.

3. Check in the store that the chosen piece allows the little one to sit comfortably and stably in the center. If the baby involuntarily slips or easily wiggles out of this central position, it's not the right high chair for them.

4. Choose a high chair with a footrest that truly supports the little one from below. This not only aids stable sitting but also protects the baby's spine and pelvic region.

5. Since there can be significant differences in body size even among children of the same age, the perfect piece should have an adjustable tray, seat, and footrest height. This way, we can always tailor the furniture's features to the child's individual needs, e.g., raise the baby's bottom, adjust the tray, or increase the support function.

6. Don't forget about safety: the ideal high chair prevents the child from going on an exploratory journey, falling out, or tipping forward with various strong and unbreakable straps.

7. Hygiene is important, so look for a piece that can be disassembled into smaller parts and has washable or replaceable cushions and tabletops. The most expensive or high-quality wooden versions may not be the best. These often show stubborn marks from damage and dirt, making them harder to clean, while for aesthetic and hygienic reasons, it's important to always seat the little one in a clean chair, even during the messy phase.

 

From the baby's perspective, it's irrelevant, but from the wallet's perspective, it's very important to choose a piece whose easily worn parts can be quickly and easily replaced, so in case of minor damage or wear, we don't have to immediately choose a new high chair. Additionally, it's advisable to consider how much space is available. In smaller living spaces, foldable high chairs and alternative solutions can be equally useful.

 

A Brief Overview of High Chair Types

In addition to traditional wooden and plastic high chairs, seat booster high chairs, fabric high chairs, and high chairs that attach to the tabletop are also popular. Their use is not necessarily harmful, provided we ensure that they hold the little one stably, keep their spine at a 90-degree angle, and support their feet. For those who prefer simpler solutions, there's always the traditional method from our grandmothers' time: holding the child in our arms.