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