When your little one is able to sit up on his own and is starting to eat solid foods, usually between four and six months, it's time to add a highchair to your kitchen decor. Before you shop, ask your friends if they have a highchair they recommend.
Once you are in a store, test the chairs to find one that suits you. Make sure it meets the safety criteria and see is it easy to get your baby in and out of it. Check if it has a tray that you can operate with one hand. Look at the seat straps to see if they are simple to buckle and unbuckle.
Using a three- or five-point harness keeps your baby safe. Remember, babies figure out how to pull themselves upright and might try it in the highchair.
You will want your baby to stay seated for a decent period of time. Consider how big the seat is, especially if you have a big baby. Is the seat well padded (double padding is very useful and you can remove it at a later stage )? Is there a footrest?
As babies are messy eaters you need to consider how easy it is to clean up the highchair after a messy meal. Most chairs come with a vinyl seat that can be wiped clean and a tray-within-a-tray feature, where the top tray pops out for cleaning in your sink or dishwasher.
Look for a model with wheels that lock to keep the chair stationary when in use and with a flat fold for storage.
All4baby recommends their bestseller Chicco Polly Highchair which is available in four different colours, now reduced to €115. Check all4baby.ie for details or come into our baby store in Tuam Road (opposite Travelodge ), Galway. Phone: 091 764400, email: [email protected]
