Getting started

There are still a few old-fashioned wood high chairs out there with a removable tray or arms that lift the tray over a baby's head. Some have modern conveniences, such as a cushioned, wipe-clean seat pad, a three-point harness, a clear, dishwasher-safe, pullout tray insert that protects the wood finish, and most important, a center crotch post, which helps to prevent a child from slipping out of the chair. But many wood high chairs aren't always as comfortable or cushy for babies as the latest, form-fitting models on the market now, and many of them might not meet the latest safety standards. Unless a wood chair is a hybrid of the old (in timeless design only) and the new (see

Features), we say don't use it.

), we say don't use it.

Some chairs are loaded with features, such as adjustable trays with dishwasher-safe inserts that make cleanup a cinch, seat backs that recline to multiple positions, and chair heights that accommodate your growing baby and give you some flexibility to feed your baby at different levels. Others are basic models that don't even fold. At the very minimum, you'll want a stable, sturdy high chair that can stand up to spilling, kicking, and regular cleaning for at least a year. You'll probably use a high chair for less time than you'd think. Although high chairs are intended for infancy up to about 3 (typical top weight is 40 to 50 pounds), some babies can't bear to sit in a high chair once they become adventurous toddlers.

Fortunately, many high chairs now on the market convert to toddler chairs once your child is ready to sit at the table with the rest of the family. You'll typically make the switch by removing the tray and adjusting the chair height so that you can scoot your toddler right up to the table. That's a good thing because a regular kitchen or dining-room chair is likely to put your child at chin level to the table. You'll need some kind of transitional chair; you might as well get the most mileage you can from a high chair.

Look carefully at the high chairs you're considering to make sure that the one you want will suit your needs. Midpriced high chairs (see Types) generally are the best value and have the best combination of useful features, so start there. You might not know what high chair will suit you best until you try using one. Keep your receipt or packing slip, or if you register for one, ask for a gift receipt to be included so you can return the chair if it doesn't work out. Some high chairs have 26 or more parts. If you're not handy, you might want to buy a high chair that comes fully assembled.

Look for certification, too. A certification sticker on a high chair shows that the model meets the ASTM voluntary standard, and that its manufacturer takes part in the certification program administered by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Certified high chairs are required to have a passive restraint, such as a crotch post, a locking device that prevents accidental folding, secure caps and plugs, sturdy, break-resistant trays, legs wide enough to increase stability (but not so wide that you trip over them), no springs or scissoring actions that could harm little fingers, and no small parts that could come loose. Safety belts must pass force tests. JPMA-certified high chairs include models by Baby Trend, Bergeron by Design, Chicco, Dorel Juvenile Group (Cosco, Eddie Bauer, and Safety 1st), Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco, Kolcraft, Peg-Pérego, Scandinavian Child (Anka and Svan), Stokke, Summer Infant, and Tri-Chair.

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Types

Look carefully at the high chairs you're considering to make sure that the one you buy suits your needs. Midpriced high chairs are generally the best value and have the best combination of useful features. But you can spend more or less. Here are the types of high chairs to consider.

High chairs at this end of the price range are simple, compact, and generally work quite well. These models are essentially plastic seats on plastic or steel-tubing legs, and may or may not have tray and height adjustments. They tend to lack bells and whistles such as wheels, and they don't typically fold for storage or recline, a feature you might not use unless you're bottle-feeding. The seat is usually upholstered with a wipe-clean vinyl covering or bare plastic, and the pad may be removable and washable. Some have a towel rack to hold bibs, towels, and washcloths. In our tests, some basic models have scored higher than some bigger-ticket high chairs, indicating that price isn't necessarily correlated to safety or ease of use. The newest addition to this price category is a "space saver" high chair that attaches to a regular dining room or kitchen chair. It doesn't require the extra floor space a regular high chair would, but still offers a three-position recline, a three-position height adjustment, and converts to a booster seat.

In this price range, you'll find chairs with many convenience features, including multiple tray and chair heights, casters for mobility, with a locking feature for safe parking, a reclining, padded seat for infant feeding, a tray that can be removed with one hand, a dishwasher-safe tray insert for easy cleanup, flip-out organizer compartments on the tray that hold utensils, dishes, or baby food jars, easy folding for storage, and a five-point harness instead of a three-point harness. Most have vinyl seat pads that can be removed for cleaning. Although you might see models with cloth covers in this price range, they are a challenge to keep clean. Frames and seats are usually made of molded, rigid plastic or steel.

In this price range are European imports and traditional solid-wood, custom-made high chairs, some that lack a passive crotch restraint. Chairs at this end of the market tend to have a sleek, upscale appearance. Many have fewer features than midrange models, though, and a much higher price tag. Some, on the other hand, go all out to justify their cost. One company features a modern-looking pedestal high chair that has a pneumatic lift for continuous height positioning, much like chairs at a hair salon.

Features

Safety is a prime consideration when buying a high chair because you don't want your child slipping or slithering out and possibly falling. Here are the high-chair features to consider.

To prevent a baby from slipping under the tray and getting his head caught between the tray and the chair, high chairs must have a fixed center crotch post to comply with the voluntary ASTM safety standard for high chairs. The post is not meant to replace the safety belt, though. A high chair needs both for safety. Check the leg openings that form between the tray/passive crotch restraint and the sides of the high chair. Children have been known to maneuver both legs to one side. The leg openings on the high chair shouldn't be large enough for a child to fit both legs in one.

As we mentioned, this is an important feature. Most high chairs have an adjustable three-point harness, but a five-point harness is safer. The shoulder straps it provides could keep a tenacious, on-the-go baby from standing up or climbing out and falling.

Seats can move up or down to as many as eight height positions on some chairs. They might also recline (in case your baby falls asleep right after eating). But except for bottle feeding, don't use a seat in the reclining position while feeding your baby--that's a choking hazard. On a height-adjusting chair, the seat slides along the chair frame, locking into various positions. Remember, it's not safe to adjust the height while the child is in the chair. Settings may range from nearly floor level to standard high-chair level. At the appropriate height, the chair (with the tray removed) can be pushed up to a dining table.

Wheels might make it easier to move the high chair around. That's important if you'll be scooting the high chair from the kitchen to the dining room. On the other hand, wheels can be a nuisance because they may allow the chair to move as you're trying to pull a tray off or put your baby in. Older children might be tempted to take the baby for a joyride when you turn your back. If you decide on a wheeled model, look for locks on the wheels, preferably on all four.

You'll want a lightweight tray that you can take off with one hand or that swings to the side when not in use. Many high chairs have a dishwasher-safe tray insert that snaps on and off for easy cleanup. Some trays have compartments to hold utensils, dishes, jars of baby food, or sippy cups. Those are nice, but not necessary.

Some high chairs fold for storage. If that's important to you because your home lacks space, make sure that there's a secure locking system to prevent accidental folding while your child is in the chair or being put into it. Such a locking system should engage automatically when you open the chair.

Some high chairs have toy bars or toys that attach to the tray, an option your baby is likely to enjoy, although to keep your baby busy, you can certainly buy toys that suction onto high-chair trays. But do not attach strings to them because strings and cords are a strangulation hazard. Make sure that the toys are securely fastened and have no small parts that could become detached.

Some high chairs have a smaller stationary snack tray that sits beneath the removable upper tray table so that you can give your baby snacks without having to use the main tray. It's a nice idea, but a built-in snack tray can limit the space you need to get your child in and out of the chair.

Most models have seat coverings--or entire seat panels--that can be wiped clean, or come off for more-thorough cleaning. Choose a seat cover with a pattern rather than a solid color because patterns are better at concealing stains. Vinyl is easier to spot-clean than cloth.

At least one high chair on the market claims to be good for your baby because its seat pad is made from organically grown, naturally colored cotton. It's supposed to be less irritating to baby's skin than regular high-chair upholstery. To our knowledge, that's not a common complaint. In general, when buying "eco-friendly" products, including high chairs, buy with a skeptical eye.