Consumer Reports: High Chairs

You will need a stable, sturdy model that can stand up to spilling, kicking, and regular cleaning will for at least a year (some babies can not bear to sit in a high chair after that). A chair with a tray that can with one hand released, is also a plus. Picture your baby occupying your other arm while opening and closing the tray, it's just one of many physical actions you will be asked to master as a parent.

A high chair usually consists of a frame of molded plastic or metal pipes and an attached seat with a safety belt and a foot. There are still some old-fashioned wooden high chairs out there with a removable tray or arms that lift the tray over a baby's head, but it's not always comfortable for babies as a modern, form-fitting models on the market now, and most of them are not certified as the latest safety standards. You will also have a few hybrid units, which double as a swing or convert into other types of gear, like a chair for an older child or a play table.

SHOPPING SECRETS

Look for a chair with a waist strap and a strap that runs between the legs. If a tray is used, a passive restraint such as a cross post, used in association with the harness straps are. A high chair as a car seat or a stroller is one of the shake-rattle-and-roll buying experiences. We suggest visiting the baby store near you with the widest choice. Then do the following:

Open and close the clasp on the chair's safety harness (try it with one hand) to make sure it is easy to use. If it is, you can request to not use it every time your child is in the chair, but it is essential.

Adjust the seat height how well that mechanism works to see. Some sites come with as many as seven possible heights. You may only use one or two, but you can not know for sure at this point.

Assessing the seat cover. Look for a chair with upholstery made to last. It should feel substantial, not weak. Make sure upholstery seams not scratch your baby's legs.

Make sure wheels can be locked (if you buy a model with wheels), or that they are immobilized when there is weight (like a baby) in the chair.

Check out the rough edges. Research into the bottom of the feeding tray to make sure it is free of anything that could scratch your baby sharply. Also look for small holes or hinges that could capture little fingers.

Check for the absence of small parts. Make sure the caps or plugs that relate to the end of metal pipe is protected. Parts small enough for a child to swallow or inhale a choking hazard. Know when to fold 'em. If you plan to fold your high chair as often as every day, practice in the shop. Some chairs that claim that can fold tightly folding mechanisms. Technically they may be hit, but it's not user friendly.

Available

Major brands of high chairs include, in alphabetical order: Baby Trend, Chicco USA, Dorel Juvenile Group (Cosco), Evenflo, Fisher Price, Graco, J. Mason, Kolcraft, Peg Perego, and Scandinavian Child. There are three general price ranges:

Basic high chairs

High chairs at this end of the price range (under $ 70) is simple, compact, and generally pretty good job. Being plastic seats on plastic or steel tubing legs, such models or might not tray and height adjustments and tend to lack bells and whistles, such as wheels, foldability for saving, one-handed tray removal, or the ability to recline, you can not use anyway unless you bottle. The seat is usually covered with a vinyl covering or bare plastic, and the path removable and washable. The dinner is typically held in place with pins that fit into holes in the pipes.

Pros: For the money, a basic high chair serve you and your baby well. But it pays to compare, as some brands may be more suited to your needs than others.

Cons: Watch for chairs in this price range with grooves in the seat's molded plastic (a gunk trap), cotton seat pads rather than vinyl, which tend not to like, and over time, and bake with side release buttons accessible to your baby. Some parents reported that their babies can remove such trays - food and all - as early as 9 months of age.

Midpriced high chairs

In this price range ($ 70 to $ 150), you'll find many of the features of higher-end chairs, which include multiple tray and chair-height positions; casters for mobility, with a locking feature for safe parking, a table seating for infant feeding, one-hand removable tray; foldability for storage, and a three-or five-point harness plus a passive restraint when used with the tray. Most have cushioned, vinyl seat pads that tumor removed, but you will still also see models with cloth covers in this price class, it is a challenge to keep clean. Frames and seats are usually made of molded, hard plastic or steel.

Pros: This price range generally stronger chairs with more usable features does, though, depending on the model, the price is not always aligned with quality.

Cons: Some models are bulky and can eat up space in a small kitchen, although a large footprint provides greater stability. Just watch out that you do not trip over the protruding bones.

High-end high chairs

In this price range ($ 150 and up), you will find the import and traditional European solid wood high chairs. Chairs at this end of the market tend to be thick, tubular frames topped by densely padded seats upholstered in vinyl to have. As a result, they can have a more solid feel and cushier digging for the baby. Some models come with add-on material cover removable for laundering. These chairs can be adapted to many different heights and positions of the table with a simple squeeze-release mechanism. Some fold "A"-shaped frames to make it easy to store.

Pros: You get extra features such as seven height positions instead of five, and often better quality, what is important to consider if you want the chair to last through a baby or more. Another bonus: Many parents report that companies that sell higher-end chairs tend to respond customer service, which helps if you have a problem to have.

Cons: Chairs in this range can be bulky because they tend to have a wider base for stability to have. This is good because it reduces the risk of tipping. However, you need more space for the footprint, which tend to be more like that of a baby swing to be accommodating.

FEATURES TO CONSIDER

Cross post. To prevent a baby from slipping under the tray and his or her head caught, high chairs now typically have a center crotch post attached to the tray or the seat. It is not intended to replace the seat belt, though. A center post to the seat rather than the tray is better because it allows you to push your child to the table without the tray, but still the center-post support.

Foldability. Some high chairs fold for storage. If it's important to you, make sure there's a secure locking system accidental folding to avoid while your child is in the seat or placed. Such a system should automatically engage when the chair.

Seat belt. As we mentioned, this is an important feature. When buying a high chair, examine the restraining straps to make sure the belt has a buckle that is not fastened unless the crotch strap was also used. Seat belts, your baby safely hold it in place with no room to stand up or climb out. Some high chairs offer an adjustable three-point harness - two adjustable shoulder straps and a lock between the child's legs - or an adjustable five-point harness - two straps over the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a cross band, which is ideal.

Seat. Seats can move up and down as much as seven height positions on some chairs. They can also pitch (in case your baby falls asleep right after eating). However, except for bottle feeding, use a seat on the table position while feeding your baby - it's a choking hazard. With a height-adjusting chair, the seat slides along the chair frame includes various positions. Height options range from nearly floor level to standard high-chair level, with the middle height low enough seating (with the tray removed) to be pushed up to a dining-room table late.

Toys. Some high chairs have toys that attach to the site, an option your baby will probably enjoy, but you can certainly buy toys separately that fast high-chair tray. But avoid strings when attaching it.

Tray. In general, you will have a light tray want you can come up with one hand or swing to the side when not in use. Certain designs help with spills: a tray that surrounds baby on all sides, a tray angle that channels liquids away from baby, or a high rim around the tray. Some chairs have two trays: a big tray with a deep rim for feeding and a smaller one for snacking or playing. Do not be lured by a claim that the tray is "dishwasher safe" - most container is too big to fit in a dishwasher.

Upholstery. Many models have seat coverings - or entire seat panels - that come off for easier cleaning. Be sure confirmation will cause fabric to tear as you pull off the seat or floor. Choose a seat cover with a pattern rather than a solid color, patterns are better at concealing spills. Some covers look like cloth but are really vinyl, which is easier to spot clean than cloth.

Wheels. Wheels can make it easier for the high chair to move around, which is important if you regularly drag your high chair from, say, the kitchen to the dining room. On the other hand, wheels can be a nuisance because they can allow the chair to move as you try a tray to pull out or if your baby Older children may be asked to take the baby for a joyride when you turn your back. Wheels on some models appear to the chair less stable. If you decide on a wheeled model, look for locks on the wheels, preferably on all four. Some models come with locking casters. Still others have just two wheels and stay in place unless you tilt them on their wheels for rolling around.

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