Ease of Cleaning
Feeding a baby involves spills, splatters, and smears, and the high chair is one of the most used pieces of baby gear. The easiest chairs to clean have a one piece plastic seat, a removable tray, and a machine washable seat pad. The Peg Perego Siesta is the easiest, with a wipeable plastic seat and a double tray that holds the mess while the parent wipes the top tray. The IKEA Antilop is close behind, with a wipeable plastic seat and a removable tray that is dishwasher safe. The Graco Blossom has a machine washable seat pad, which is critical for catching crumbs and spills. Avoid chairs with fabric cushions that are not machine washable, since they absorb spills and develop odors quickly.
Convertible High Chairs
Convertible high chairs are the best long term value, since they adapt from infant to toddler to booster and can last for 5 to 10 years. The Stokke Tripp Trapp is the original convertible, with an adjustable seat and footrest that grows with the child from 6 months to adulthood. The Graco Blossom has 4 seating modes, including a reclined infant mode, an upright toddler mode, a high chair mode, and a booster mode. The Peg Perego Siesta has 5 positions and grows with the child from newborn to 4 years old. The OXO Tot Sprout has 3 positions and grows from infant to booster. The initial cost is higher, but the per year cost is lower for a chair that lasts a decade.
Portable and Travel High Chairs
Portable high chairs are a must for families who travel, eat out, or visit grandparents. The Inglesina Fast Table Chair is the most popular, with a foldable frame that hooks onto a tabletop and folds into a small bag. The Summer Infant Pop and Sit is a booster style chair with a storage pocket and a wipeable seat. The Phil and Teds Lobster is a clamp on chair that fits most table surfaces. The Chicco Pocket Snack is a lightweight booster with a removable tray and a carry bag. The Inglesina is the best overall, the Summer Infant is the best value, and the Phil and Teds is the best for travel to restaurants with a variety of tables.
How to Choose the Right High Chair for Your Family
For a small kitchen, a compact chair such as the OXO Tot Sprout or the Peg Perego Siesta fits in a 24 inch wide space. For a large family with multiple children, a convertible chair such as the Stokke Tripp Trapp or the Graco Blossom lasts the longest. For a travel heavy family, a portable chair such as the Inglesina Fast Table Chair is essential. For a budget conscious family, the IKEA Antilop is unbeatable at 30 dollars. For a family that values design and longevity, the Stokke Tripp Trapp is worth the 300 dollar price tag. The most important factor is the ease of cleaning, since the chair will be used 3 times a day for 2 to 3 years.
When to Stop Using a High Chair
Most children outgrow the high chair at 2 to 3 years of age, when they can sit at the table in a regular chair. A convertible high chair can transition to a booster seat at the table, which extends the life of the chair by another 2 to 3 years. A Stokke Tripp Trapp with the cushion removed can be used as a regular chair from age 3 to adulthood, and the chair is rated to 250 pounds. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 4 years old use a high chair or a booster seat with a harness, since the child does not yet have the body control to sit safely in a regular chair at the table.
Fazlur Rahman
