A highchair is the key that unlocks years of family dinners, the shift between feeding your baby in your lap or a pillow and welcoming your baby to the table to eat along with the rest of your family.
But even though highchairs can bring joyful moments, they can also be a downright hassle: hard to adjust, the wrong height for your table, rickety, space-gobbling, and hard to clean. Not to mention, they come in a wide variety of styles and prices, making it even harder (though not impossible) to find the best highchair for your needs.
Since you'll be using your highchair every single day (at least until your baby can upgrade to a booster chair), it's worth putting in the effort given to find the right one.
Do you need a highchair?
If you want your child to sit still (or, at least, more still) at mealtimes, yes. Highchairs have safety straps and often a tray to keep your child in place and help them sit upright. They also make it so your child is at eye level with everyone around the table, allowing them to enjoy food and taking part in the conversation (even before they can talk!). Highchairs also help contain mess, and whenever babies and food are involved, there will be mess.
When can babies sit in a highchair?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby may be ready for solids between 4 to 6 months. This is usually when their digestive system evolves to handle foods other than milk. Some signs your child might be ready for solids include:
- Head control: Your baby should have good head control when sitting in a highchair or other seat.
- Size: In general, when babies double their birth weight (which usually happens at 4 months) and weigh at least 13 pounds, they're big enough for solids.
- Sitting: Babies ready for solids should be able to sit up in a highchair (they may still need some propping).
- Interest: Babies will intently watch you eat, reach for your food, and eagerly open their mouths when food comes near.
You can always ask your child's pediatrician if you have questions about your nutrition, including worries about how much (or how little) your child is eating. The AAP also recommends consulting your pediatrician about iron and vitamin D supplements and the right time to introduce peanuts. You should also talk with your child's doctor when starting solids if your baby has reflux, or you notice stools becoming loose, watery, or mucous-y (though bits of undigested food such as vegetable skin are normal).
What kind of highchair do you need?
Highchairs vary in material, structure, and size; the type you choose depends on your circumstances. The most common styles include:
- Wood: A more classic option, these sturdy and understated chairs are usually more expensive. But the price may be worth it, as many convert to chairs that can hold older kids or even adults.
- Plastic and metal: These models are generally less expensive than wooden highchairs, as well as lighter and more portable. Some are made to fold flat for storage; others are equipped with wheels to move easily around your house.
- Convertible: They can be made of any material, but these chairs are designed to fill more than one need. They may recline and function as an infant chair, or have parts that, when added or removed, can hold children at different stages.
- Booster: These space-saving chairs are made to fasten to your regular dining room or kitchen chairs and “boost” kids up to the right height to eat at the table.
- Clip-on or hook-on: Fastening onto your dining room or kitchen table, these chairs take up no floor space. Many come with travel bags for easy transport. The AAP does not recommend hook-on highchairs as a substitute for freestanding chairs.
- Portable: Made of fabric, metal, and/or plastic, these chairs are made to take with you to Grandma's or outings. They frequently fold flat or are very lightweight.
What to look for in a highchair
Highchairs these days have lots of bells and whistles, but what do you actually need? Here's what to consider:
- Type: Basic highchairs, full-feature highchairs, and portable highchairs can all work fine, so consider your needs and space constraints. Some highchairs fold up compactly or disassemble for storage.
- Tray: The most convenient option is one with a tray that detaches easily and fits in the sink or dishwasher for cleaning (some trays also have a removable, dishwasher-safe cover). Many chairs with detachable trays can be pulled up to the table so your child can join a family meal.
- Ease of cleaning: Food will find its way into every crack and crevice of a highchair's seat and straps. These features should be simple to wipe clean or (ideally) come off so you can give them a thorough cleaning or even toss them in the washing machine.
- Versatility: Some highchairs have seats that recline fully, allowing you to give younger babies a bottle or let your newborn hang out there while you're cooking (though if they fall asleep, make sure to move them to a firm, flat, safe sleep surface as soon as possible, as the AAP recommends). And other highchairs convert to a booster seat or kid-size chair to use when your child is older.
- Adjustability: A highchair that grows with your child – with an adjustable height and footrest – is helpful, because you can keep moving the seat and footrest down as your child grows taller. And one with an adjustable tray will ensure that your child's tummy isn't squeezed as he grows. Each adjustment should lock securely into place.
- Comfort: Padded seats are easier on your baby's bottom.
- Sturdiness: A highchair with a wide base will be sturdy and won't tip easily.
- Safety: Your highchair should have an adjustable 3-point or 5-point harness or safety belt to keep your child from standing up or slipping out. Children can be badly injured by falling out of a highchair, so always supervise your child and keep safety straps buckled.
- Looks: It isn't the most important consideration, but you'll be looking at the chair your choose for some time, so make sure you can stand looking at it.
How we chose the best highchairs
We searched BabyCenter's Community for positive recommendations on highchairs from many different sources and over the past few years. Once we found the highchairs parents recommended to each other, we vetted each to find standouts for their portability, versatility, ease of cleaning, comfort, attractiveness, and other qualities.
The result? This list of the very best highchairs parents can buy.
