Tips for Buying a High Chair
by B. Summoy
Apart from a crib, a high chair is one of the most commonly used baby products. That is why you have to choose a high chair that not only reflects your baby’s personality, but offers durability and function as well.
Types of High Chairs
Wooden: These are often pleasing to the eyes and are usually heavy, solid and sturdy. They do have some drawbacks such as being harder to store, and they normally don't have as many features as plastic chairs.
Metal: These chairs have more features than wood, such as easy storage and clean-up. However they are usually heavier than high chairs made of plastic.
Plastic / Metal (Full Feature): These are usually fully padded and reclining, with adjustable heights, easy-clean removable trays, maneuverability with wheels, and relatively easy storage.
Shopping Tips
When buying a high chair, make sure to consider the following:
- Stability: Choose a high chair that is sturdy and wide-based so it doesn't easily tip over.
- Restraint Belts: For safety and security, your high chairs need to have restraint belts. Restraint belts hold your baby in between his legs and around his waist to prevent him from slipping out or standing up.
- No sharp edges: Check the seams, edges, and underside of the high chair for sharp or rough edges, especially where your baby will be sitting. Wooden high chairs are prone to splinters, so check for those as well.
- Trays: The high chair tray should be easy to clean and remove. If possible, choose a tray that can be released or removed with one hand. The tray should also have raised edges or lips to manage spills easily.
- Adjustable: Look for a high chair that has everything adjustable. Reclining positions need to be adjusted to accommodate your baby’s growth. Trays need adjustments as he gains weight, and height adjustments are convenient for parents of different sizes. Older babies also need adjustable footrests to stay comfortable.
- Easy Clean-up: As you may well know, your high chair will easily get messy with your baby throwing, playing, and spitting food wherever he can. You want a high chair that has easy-wipe surfaces, machine-washable seats, and dishwasher-safe trays.
- Wheels: High chairs with wheels are very convenient, but make sure that the wheels can be locked so they won’t roll away when you’re not looking.
- JPMA Logo: Check your high chair for a Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) logo. With the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CSPC), the JPMA ensures that the high chair you choose has passed industry safety standards.
Safety Tips
- Always make sure that your baby is safely restrained.
- Never leave a child alone and unattended on a high chair.
- Always lock the wheels, even if you’re on a flat surface.
- Before placing your child on a high chair, make sure that all latches are secured.
- Keep in mind the maximum weight capacity of your high chair.
B. Summoy writes consumer product reviews and provides advice and tips for smart shopping. She regularly writes interesting articles on baby products. Visit the
Eddie Bauer High Chair Review site for more detailed information on this particular brand of wooden high chair.
Eddie Bauer High Chair Review Site
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Fresco is the only contemporary high chair that stays with your little one from birth to school age. Fresco adapts to fit all of your child's growing needs with adjustable feeding tray, seat height, seat reclination, shoulder straps, and footrest. bloom's European design team created the Fresco High Chair to provide families with a 3-in-1 resting, feeding, and play chair in a style that fits the contemporary home. Available in Rock Red, Bermuda Blue, Rosy Pink, Frost Grey, Harvest Orange and Midnight black. more info > >
