How to Choose a High Chair: What to Look for Before You Buy
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Choosing a high chair does not need to mean comparing dozens of clever features. The essentials are much simpler: your baby should be able to sit safely and upright for eating, the chair should have a secure harness, it should feel stable, and it should be practical enough to clean and use every day.
The NHS advises that babies should sit safely in an upright position in a high chair while eating and should always be secured with a fitted safety harness. Babies and young children should also be supervised throughout meals.
Once those basics are covered, features such as an adjustable footrest, removable tray, folding frame and wipe-clean materials are mostly about finding a chair that works well in your home.
Start with safety rather than style
A high chair will eventually deal with wriggling, dropped food, enthusiastic reaching and plenty of mess. Stability and secure restraint matter far more than how well it matches your kitchen.
The NHS advises using a five-point harness every time a baby is placed in a high chair. It also advises never leaving babies unattended on raised surfaces.
Before buying, check that:
- The chair feels stable when assembled
- The harness is secure and adjustable
- Your baby cannot easily wriggle free
- The chair locks securely into position
- Folding mechanisms cannot accidentally collapse during use
- The manufacturer’s instructions are clear
- There are no obvious places where small fingers could become trapped
- The chair is appropriate for your child’s size and developmental stage
If you are looking at a folding model, practise opening and locking it yourself. A mechanism that feels confusing in a shop may become even more irritating during a busy mealtime.
Look for a five-point harness
A secure harness is one feature worth prioritising.
NHS baby and toddler safety guidance specifically recommends using a five-point harness in a high chair every time your baby is placed in it.
A five-point harness normally secures the child at the shoulders, waist and between the legs. The exact design and adjustment system varies between high chairs, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
When comparing models, look at how easy the harness is to:
- Fasten correctly
- Adjust as your child grows
- Release when you need to
- Remove for cleaning, if the manufacturer allows this
- Refit correctly after washing
A harness that becomes so awkward or dirty that you are tempted not to use it is not particularly practical.
Use it every time, even if your baby appears to sit securely without it.
Your baby should be able to sit upright for eating
Posture is not simply about comfort.
NHS weaning guidance says babies should be seated safely in an upright position so they can swallow properly. It also advises parents and carers to stay with babies while they are eating because of the risk of choking.
Look at the shape of the seat and how well it supports your child.
A useful high chair should allow your baby to sit upright rather than slumping deeply backwards or sliding down in the seat.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s children’s occupational therapy guidance recommends looking for a seat that supports the child from their bottom towards the knee, alongside appropriate trunk and foot support.
If your child needs specialist postural support or struggles to maintain an appropriate position for eating, ask a health professional for individual advice rather than trying to solve the problem with unapproved accessories.
Is a footrest worth having?
A footrest can be a genuinely useful feature.
NHS occupational therapy guidance from Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust recommends supporting a child’s feet while they are sitting in a high chair. A supported position can help with stability and upright sitting.
The most practical footrests are adjustable because babies grow quickly.
When testing a chair, check whether:
- The footrest height can be changed
- Your child’s feet can eventually rest on it rather than dangling
- Adjustment requires tools
- The footrest remains secure once fitted
- It can continue to accommodate your child as they grow
A fixed footrest may still work well, but an adjustable one gives you more control over positioning.
Check the tray height and size
A high-chair tray should be practical for feeding without forcing your baby into an awkward position.
Occupational therapy guidance suggests that a tray should allow a child’s shoulders to remain comfortable, with their arms able to rest naturally rather than being pushed upwards.
Look for enough space for:
- A bowl or plate
- A cup
- Your baby’s hands and food
- The inevitable spread of crumbs and dropped pieces
A tray that slides or adjusts closer to your baby may reduce the gap where food disappears onto their lap.
Also check whether the tray can be removed easily. Some parents prefer to bring the high chair directly to the family dining table later, while others continue using the tray.
Neither approach is essential. Flexibility is simply useful.
Removable trays can make cleaning easier
Weaning is messy. This is one area where easy cleaning can genuinely improve everyday life.
A removable tray can often be carried directly to the sink. Some models have a removable top insert, while others have one solid tray.
Before buying, inspect the underside as well as the top.
Look for:
- Deep grooves where food may collect
- Complicated clips
- Fabric close to the eating area
- Seams that are difficult to wipe
- Small gaps around the tray mechanism
- Whether the tray is dishwasher-safe according to the manufacturer
A beautifully padded seat may feel appealing in the shop, but consider how you will clean yoghurt, porridge and tomato sauce out of it repeatedly.
Simple surfaces often have an advantage.
Think carefully about padded seats
Padding is not automatically necessary.
Some babies may find a padded seat comfortable, while other high chairs are designed to provide appropriate support without much cushioning.
If you choose padding, check that it is:
- Designed for that specific chair
- Securely fitted
- Easy to remove
- Washable or wipeable
- Used according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Avoid adding cushions or inserts that are not approved for the chair simply to make it look more comfortable.
If your baby needs extra postural support, seek appropriate advice rather than improvising with loose padding that could affect how the harness or chair works.
Does the high chair need to recline?
Some high chairs have reclining seats and are marketed for use beyond mealtimes.
For feeding solid foods, the NHS advises that babies should be sitting safely upright.
A reclining feature may have another purpose specified by the manufacturer, but it is not a reason to feed a baby in a reclined position.
If you buy a reclining high chair, make sure you understand which settings are intended for feeding and which are not.
Do not assume that because a chair can recline, a younger baby who is not ready for solids should be fed in it.
When should you buy a high chair?
You do not need a high chair ready for your newborn.
NHS guidance says introducing solid foods generally begins from around six months, when a baby shows the signs that they are ready. One of the pieces of equipment recommended for weaning is a high chair that allows the baby to sit safely upright and strapped in.
This means you can usually wait until closer to the time you expect to begin introducing solid foods before choosing one.
Waiting can be useful because you will have a better idea of:
- Your available kitchen or dining space
- How you expect family meals to work
- Your baby’s size
- Which features matter to you
- Whether you need a folding chair or can leave one assembled
There is no advantage in having a large high chair taking up kitchen space for months before you need it.
Measure your dining space
High chairs can have surprisingly wide bases.
That wide footprint may contribute to stability, but it can also become a trip hazard in a compact kitchen.
Measure the area where you expect to use the chair and think about where people’s feet and chairs normally go during meals.
Check:
- The high chair’s full footprint
- Whether dining chairs can still move comfortably
- Whether it blocks a walkway
- Whether you can position it away from hazards
- Where it will go when not being used
If you have a small home, a compact or folding high chair may be worth prioritising.
If you have enough space to leave it assembled permanently, folding may be a feature you rarely use.
Folding high chairs: useful or unnecessary?
A folding chair can be convenient if you need to reclaim floor space between meals.
Before paying extra for the feature, test it.
Ask yourself:
- Can I fold it easily?
- Does it stand independently when folded?
- How small is it actually?
- Can the tray remain attached?
- Is there a clear locking mechanism?
- Where will I store it?
Some high chairs technically fold but remain bulky. Others become narrow enough to slide into a cupboard or against a wall.
If you plan to fold it several times a day, ease of use matters more than the fact that it folds at all.
Adjustable height can be useful in some homes
Some high chairs can be raised or lowered.
This may be useful if your baby will sometimes eat at a dining table and sometimes beside a breakfast bar or another seating area.
For many families, a fixed-height high chair works perfectly well.
If you are considering an adjustable model, check:
- How many height positions it has
- Whether adjustments lock securely
- Whether both sides must be changed separately
- Whether it can be adjusted safely according to the instructions
- Whether you will actually use the different heights
Do not pay for adjustability simply because it sounds useful. Picture where the chair will stand during an ordinary breakfast or dinner.
Consider how long you want the chair to last
Some high chairs are designed mainly for the baby and toddler years. Others convert into toddler chairs, children’s chairs or seating intended to remain useful for much longer.
A convertible design can offer good value, but only if you expect to use the later stages.
Check:
- The manufacturer’s maximum size or weight limits
- Which parts are removed as the child grows
- Whether a separate conversion kit is needed
- Whether the harness remains required at different stages
- How the seat works at a normal dining table
- Whether spare parts are available
Keep the instructions and any conversion pieces somewhere safe.
A chair advertised as lasting for years is only useful if you still have the parts required to change its configuration.
Wheels can be convenient, but check the brakes
Some high chairs have wheels so they can be moved around the kitchen or dining area.
If you want wheels, check how they lock and whether the chair remains stable once positioned.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about when the wheels should be locked.
You may not need wheels at all if the high chair is light enough to move safely when empty.
Never move the chair around as a convenience feature while your baby is sitting in it unless the manufacturer specifically states that this is permitted.
Think about where you place the high chair
A high chair should be positioned away from things your baby could grab, push against or pull down.
As babies grow, their reach can surprise you.
Keep the chair away from hazards such as:
- Hot drinks
- Cooker surfaces
- Pan handles
- Electrical cables
- Blind cords
- Tablecloths that can be pulled
- Heavy objects near the edge of a table or worktop
RoSPA advises keeping hot drinks out of children’s reach and using securely fitted safety harnesses in high chairs.
Also avoid positioning a high chair where someone is likely to trip over its legs.
Never leave your baby alone while eating
No high chair feature replaces supervision.
The NHS advises always staying with babies and young children while they eat because choking can happen with food. Babies should be alert and seated safely upright.
This remains important even when:
- The harness is securely fastened
- Your baby is experienced with finger foods
- You are only stepping away briefly
- The meal contains familiar foods
- Your baby seems confident eating independently
If you need to leave the room, pause the meal and take your baby with you rather than relying on the chair to keep them safe.
What about portable or table-mounted high chairs?
Portable feeding seats can be useful for travel or visiting family, but they are a different purchase from a standard freestanding high chair.
RoSPA states that it does not recommend table-mounted high chairs.
If you need a portable option, look carefully at the manufacturer’s instructions, applicable safety information, compatibility requirements and how the product is secured.
Do not assume that a portable seat can safely attach to every table or dining chair.
For everyday use at home, a stable freestanding high chair may be the simpler option for many families.
Can you buy a high chair second-hand?
A second-hand high chair can be a sensible way to save money, particularly because many are used for a relatively short period.
Inspect it carefully before use.
Check:
- The frame for cracks or damage
- The harness and buckle
- All straps
- Locking mechanisms
- The tray and its attachments
- Folding mechanisms
- Wheels and brakes, if fitted
- Missing screws or components
- The manufacturer’s label
- The original instructions, where available
Search for the exact model online and check whether it has been affected by a product recall.
Avoid using a chair with a missing or damaged harness or trying to replace structural components with improvised alternatives.
A simple second-hand high chair in excellent condition may be a better buy than a feature-heavy model with unknown damage.
Which high chair features are worth paying for?
For many families, the features that make the biggest difference are practical rather than glamorous.
Worth considering:
- A secure five-point harness
- Stable construction
- Good upright support
- An adjustable footrest
- An easy-to-clean seat
- A removable tray
- A tray that adjusts closer to the child
- A compact fold if storage is limited
- A design that works at your dining table
- Easily available replacement parts
Optional features may include:
- Multiple recline positions
- Wheels
- Height adjustment
- Extra padding
- Toy attachments
- Storage baskets
- Conversion into other types of chair
Some of those can be useful. None compensates for poor fit, difficult cleaning or a harness you dislike using.
A simple high chair checklist
Before buying, ask:
- Does the chair feel stable?
- Does it have a secure five-point harness?
- Can the harness be adjusted as my baby grows?
- Can my baby sit safely upright for eating?
- Does the seat provide appropriate support?
- Is there a useful footrest?
- Can the footrest be adjusted?
- Is the tray at a comfortable height?
- Can the tray be removed easily?
- Are the seat and tray easy to clean?
- Does the chair fit comfortably in our dining space?
- Do I actually need it to fold?
- If it folds, does it lock securely when opened?
- Are any wheels easy to lock?
- Will I use its convertible or adjustable features?
- Are the manufacturer’s instructions clear?
- If it is second-hand, is the harness complete and the chair undamaged?
You do not need the high chair with the most settings. A stable chair that supports your baby well, keeps them securely strapped in and can be cleaned without a battle is often the more useful purchase.
When to get professional advice
If your baby cannot sit safely upright in their high chair, frequently slumps or slides despite the chair being adjusted according to its instructions, or has additional postural or developmental needs, speak to your health visitor, GP, paediatrician or an appropriate children’s occupational therapist for individual advice.
If you are unsure whether your baby is ready to begin solid foods, NHS guidance recommends looking for the recognised signs of readiness and speaking to your health visitor if you have concerns.
Seek appropriate medical advice if you are worried about your baby’s swallowing or feeding. If your baby is choking and cannot breathe properly, follow current NHS choking first-aid guidance and get emergency help as required.
Related reading
- Baby Products & Gear
- Baby Essentials Checklist: What You Actually Need for Your Baby
- Second-Hand Baby Gear: What Is Safe to Buy Used and What Should You Avoid?