| You'll want a stable, sturdy model that can stand up | | | | add-on fabric covers that are removable for |
| to spilling, kicking, and regular cleaning for at least a | | | | laundering. These chairs can be adjusted to many |
| year (some babies can't bear to sit in a high chair | | | | different heights and reclining positions with a simple |
| after that). A chair with a tray that can be released | | | | squeeze-release mechanism. Some have folding |
| with one hand is also a plus. Picture your baby | | | | "A"-shaped frames to make them easy to store. |
| occupying your other arm while you're opening and | | | | Pros: You'll get extra features, such as seven height |
| closing the tray; it's just one of the many physical | | | | positions instead of five, and often better quality, |
| feats you'll be asked to master as a parent. | | | | which is important to consider if you want the chair |
| A high chair usually consists of a frame of molded | | | | to last through another baby or more. Another bonus: |
| plastic or metal tubing and an attached seat with a | | | | Many parents report that companies that sell |
| safety belt and a footrest. There are still a few | | | | higher-end chairs tend to have responsive customer |
| old-fashioned wooden high chairs out there with a | | | | service, which helps if you have a problem. |
| removable tray or arms that lift the tray over a | | | | Cons: Chairs in this range can be bulky because they |
| baby's head, although they aren't always as | | | | tend to have a wider base for stability. That's good |
| comfortable for babies as the modern, form-fitting | | | | because it reduces the risk of tipping. However, you'll |
| models on the market now, and most of them aren't | | | | need more space to accommodate the footprint, |
| certified as meeting the latest safety standards. You'll | | | | which tends to be more like that of a baby swing. |
| also find a few hybrid units, which can double as a | | | | FEATURES TO CONSIDER |
| swing or convert into other types of gear, such as a | | | | Crotch post. To help prevent a baby from slipping |
| chair for an older child or a play table. | | | | out under the tray and getting his or her head |
| SHOPPING SECRETS | | | | caught, high chairs now typically have a center crotch |
| Look for a chair that has a waist strap and a strap | | | | post attached to the tray or to the seat. It's not |
| that runs between the legs. If a tray is used, there | | | | meant to replace the safety belt, though. A center |
| should be a passive restraint, such as a crotch post, | | | | post that attaches to the chair rather than to the |
| used in conjunction with the harness straps. A high | | | | tray is better because it enables you to push your |
| chair, like a car seat or a stroller, is one of those | | | | child up to the table without the tray but still have |
| shake-rattle-and-roll buying experiences. We suggest | | | | that center-post support. |
| visiting the baby store near you with the broadest | | | | Foldability. Some high chairs fold for storage. If that's |
| selection. Then do the following: | | | | important to you, make sure there's a secure locking |
| Open and close the fastener on the seat's safety | | | | system to prevent accidental folding while your child |
| harness (try it one-handed) to make sure it's easy to | | | | is in the chair or being put into it. Such a system |
| use. If it's not, you might be tempted not to use it | | | | should automatically engage when you open the chair. |
| every time your child is in the seat, although that's | | | | Safety belt. As we mentioned, this is an important |
| imperative. | | | | feature. When buying a high chair, examine the |
| Adjust the seat height to see how well that | | | | restraining straps to make sure the waist belt has a |
| mechanism works. Some seats come with as many | | | | buckle that can't be fastened unless the crotch strap |
| as seven possible heights. You may only use one or | | | | is also used. Safety belts should hold your baby |
| two, but you can't know for sure at this point. | | | | securely in place, with no leeway for standing up or |
| Assess the seat cover. Look for a chair with | | | | climbing out. Some high chairs offer an adjustable |
| upholstery made to last. It should feel substantial, not | | | | three-point harness--two adjustable shoulder straps |
| flimsy. Make sure upholstery seams won't scratch | | | | and a lock between the child's legs--or an adjustable |
| your baby's legs. | | | | five-point harness--two straps over the shoulders, |
| Make sure wheels can be locked (if you're buying a | | | | two for the thighs, and a crotch strap, which is ideal. |
| model with wheels) or that they become immobilized | | | | Seat adjustment. Seats can move up or down to as |
| when there is weight (like a baby) in the seat. | | | | many as seven height positions on some chairs. They |
| Watch out for rough edges. Examine the underside | | | | may also recline (in case your baby falls asleep right |
| of the feeding tray to make sure it's free of | | | | after eating). However, except for bottle feeding, |
| anything sharp that could scratch your baby. Also | | | | don't use a seat in the reclining position while feeding |
| look for small holes or hinges that could capture little | | | | your baby--that's a choking hazard. With a |
| fingers. | | | | height-adjusting chair, the seat slides along the chair |
| Check for the absence of small parts. Make sure the | | | | frame, locking into various positions. Height options |
| caps or plugs that cover the ends of metal tubing | | | | range from nearly floor level to standard high-chair |
| are well secured. Parts small enough for a child to | | | | level, with the middle height low enough to allow the |
| swallow or inhale are a choking hazard. Know when | | | | seat (with the tray removed) to be pushed up to a |
| to fold 'em. If you plan to fold up your high chair as | | | | dining-room table. |
| often as every day, practice in the store. Some | | | | Toys. Some high chairs have toys that attach to the |
| chairs that claim to be foldable can have stiff folding | | | | tray, an option your baby will likely enjoy, although |
| mechanisms. Technically they may be foldable, but | | | | you can certainly buy toys separately that fasten to |
| they're not user-friendly. | | | | high-chair trays. But avoid strings when attaching |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | them. |
| Major brands of high chairs include, in alphabetical | | | | Tray. In general, you'll want a lightweight tray you |
| order: Baby Trend, Chicco USA, Dorel Juvenile Group | | | | can take off with one hand or that swings to the |
| (Cosco), Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco, J. Mason, | | | | side when not in use. Certain designs help contain |
| Kolcraft, Peg Perego, and Scandinavian Child. There | | | | spills: a tray that surrounds baby on all sides, a tray |
| are three general price ranges: | | | | angle that channels liquids away from baby, or a tall |
| Basic high chairs | | | | rim all around the tray. Some chairs have two trays: a |
| High chairs at this end of the price range (under $70) | | | | big tray with a deep rim for feeding and a smaller |
| are simple, compact, and generally work quite well. | | | | one for snacking or playing. Don't be lured by a claim |
| Essentially plastic seats on plastic or steel-tubing legs, | | | | that the tray is "dishwasher safe"--most trays are |
| such models may or may not have tray and height | | | | too large to fit in a dishwasher. |
| adjustments and tend to lack bells and whistles, such | | | | Upholstery. Many models have seat coverings--or |
| as wheels, foldability for storage, one-handed tray | | | | entire seat panels--that come off for easier cleaning. |
| removal, or the capacity to recline, which you may | | | | Be sure fasteners won't cause upholstery to tear as |
| not use anyway unless you're bottle-feeding. The | | | | you pull off the seat or coverings. Opt for a seat |
| seat is usually upholstered with a vinyl covering or | | | | cover with a pattern rather than a solid color; |
| bare plastic, and the pad may be removable and | | | | patterns are better at concealing spills. Some covers |
| washable. The tray is typically kept in place with pins | | | | look like cloth but are really vinyl, which is easier to |
| that fit into holes in the tubing. | | | | spot clean than cloth. |
| Pros: For the money, a basic high chair can serve you | | | | Wheels. Wheels may make it easier to move the high |
| and your baby well. But it pays to comparison shop, | | | | chair around, which is important if you'll frequently be |
| as some brands may be more suitable to your needs | | | | hauling your high chair from, say, the kitchen to the |
| than others. | | | | dining room. On the other hand, wheels can also be a |
| Cons: Watch for chairs in this price range with | | | | nuisance because they may allow the chair to move |
| grooves in the seat's molded plastic (a gunk trap); | | | | as you're trying to pull a tray off, or as you put your |
| cotton seat pads rather than vinyl, which tend not to | | | | baby in. Older children may be tempted to take the |
| hold up as well over time; and trays with side release | | | | baby for a joyride when you turn your back. Wheels |
| buttons that are accessible to your baby. Some | | | | on some models appear to make the chair less |
| parents report that their babies can remove such | | | | stable. If you decide on a wheeled model, look for |
| trays--food and all--as early as 9 months of age. | | | | locks on the wheels, preferably on all four. Some |
| Midpriced high chairs | | | | models come with locking casters. Still others have |
| In this price range ($70 to $150), you'll find many of | | | | just two wheels and stay in place unless you tilt |
| the features of higher-end chairs, which include | | | | them on their wheels for rolling around. |
| multiple tray and chair-height positions; casters for | | | | RECOMMENDATIONS |
| mobility, with a locking feature for safe parking; a | | | | There are pluses and minuses with every price range |
| reclining seat for infant feeding; one-hand removable | | | | of chair. All can be tough to clean because, let's face |
| tray; foldability for storage; and a three- or five-point | | | | it, baby food has a way of getting into every |
| harness plus a passive restraint when used with the | | | | possible nook and cranny (and most seats have them |
| tray. Most have cushioned, vinyl seat pads that can | | | | somewhere). High-end models offer flexible |
| be removed for washing, although you'll also still see | | | | positioning, extra-thick seat padding, and attractive |
| models with cloth covers in this price range; those | | | | upholstery. |
| are a challenge to keep clean. Frames and seats are | | | | Mid priced models generally represent the best value. |
| typically made of molded, rigid plastic or steel. | | | | And, like high-end models, they usually have an |
| Pros: This price range generally offers sturdier chairs | | | | easy-to-remove tray, a sturdy safety belt, a |
| with more usable features, although, depending on | | | | tip-resistant frame, and a crotch post. But even |
| the model, price isn't always aligned with quality. | | | | some basic chairs can compete with higher-end |
| Cons: Some models are bulky and can eat up space | | | | models in terms of safety and other features. No |
| in a small kitchen, although a large footprint provides | | | | matter what your budget, buy a chair of recent |
| greater stability. Just watch out that you don't trip on | | | | production that's certified so you can be sure it |
| the protruding legs. | | | | meets the current voluntary safety standard. |
| High-end high chairs | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of |
| In this price range ($150 and up), you'll find European | | | | U.S., Inc. |
| imports and traditional solid-wood high chairs. Chairs at | | | | For the latest information on this and many other |
| this end of the market tend to have thick, tubular | | | | products and services, visit |
| frames topped by densely padded seats upholstered | | | | Find More |
| in vinyl. As a result, they may have a more solid feel | | | | High chair with Easy Dealat |
| and cushier digs for baby. Some models come with | | | | ShopNdeal. |