As soon as your child reaches the age the place they begin consuming pureés and strong meals, a excessive chair turns into a necessity. Certain, they take up some room in your house and aren’t at all times essentially the most aesthetically pleasing child merchandise, however excessive chairs provide a sturdy, protected area to your baby to eat their meals (that isn’t your lap).
Whereas security and stability are a very powerful components to contemplate, the perfect excessive chairs needs to be simple to wash as properly. Infants tend to depart a path of crumbs behind and smear their meals throughout any floor of their neighborhood, which means their excessive chair goes to wish a fairly thorough cleansing after every meal. You need an possibility that doesn’t have hard-to-reach nooks and crannies the place outdated meals can disguise and is simple to wipe clear if you solely have just a few moments to spare.
With this in thoughts, we examined 31 excessive chairs in our lab and at dwelling with our youngsters—and sure, issues received messy. The excessive chairs on this checklist are easy to place collectively, sturdy, enticing, comfy (for youths and their grownups), and never a nightmare to wash. We additionally spoke with a number of specialists, together with Ben Hoffman, M.D., pediatrician and nationally acknowledged skilled in baby damage prevention and training, to learn to select chairs that don’t pose an instantaneous falling threat.
Our Favorites
Greatest General: Stokke Clikk Excessive Chair
Why We Like It
With a Scandinavian stylish design, the easy Stokke Clikk excessive chair is a minimalist dad or mum’s dream. It options gentle oak wooden legs and a wipeable silicone seat and checks principally all of our packing containers: it’s protected, simple to make use of, easy to wash, and really sturdy. Meeting took nearly six minutes within the lab with zero stress and minimal elements. The tray is detachable for getting a squirming child or hyper toddler inside, and it securely locks into place with a clicking sound. As soon as the straps are lined up, they’re a cinch to regulate as wanted. A number of footrest positions make it doable for each small infants and older toddlers to take a seat comfortably with their toes safe.
Within the lab, we beloved how simple this excessive chair was to wash. The silicone seat is clean so you’ll be able to wipe it down rapidly, and whereas the tray can also be wipeable, it may be positioned within the dishwasher for a deeper clear if wanted. The chair doesn’t include a cushion, in order that’s one much less factor to wash (though you should buy one individually, and it’s water-repellent and machine-washable). For the reason that footrest is detachable, you’ll be able to clear it within the sink as properly. We want the straps have been detachable, since they could be a little trickier to wash (our tester famous they will “get a bit gunky”), however wiping them down repeatedly needs to be enough. A slight lip on the tray makes it more durable for meals to fall off and onto the ground, too. We did discover, nevertheless, that water marks and cleaning soap residue could make each the tray, seat, and legs look a bit worn, even after common cleansing.
General, this took our prime spot as a result of we felt it was an important worth for the design, sturdiness, and ease of use. As your toddler will get older, you’ll be able to maintain the tray off and use this as an elevated toddler chair on the desk.
However Take Word
The chair has a really sturdy really feel to it, with a extensive base that retains it from wobbling or feeling prefer it’s going to topple over. That stated, that extensive base additionally means it takes up a bit little bit of area within the room. Within the lab, we tripped over the legs greater than as soon as. This may occasionally additionally make it lower than excellent in a really small area. Nonetheless, it’s tremendous light-weight, which makes it simple to maneuver round.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 22 x 26 x 32.7 inches
- Weight: 10.1 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: 6-36 months / as much as 33 kilos
- Configurations: Excessive chair, toddler chair, 2 footrest positions
- Dishwasher-safe tray? Sure
- Washing-machine protected options? Cushion (offered individually)
Greatest for Toddlers: Ergobaby Evolve
Why We Like It
If you need one thing versatile that may develop together with your baby, then the Ergobaby Evolve is a superb possibility. Its three-in-one design permits it for use as a excessive chair, a toddler chair, and a kitchen helper (principally a protected and durable stool). The chair has a smooth and fashionable design, manufactured from sturdy wooden and white plastic that permits for a gorgeous look. For the reason that tray is detachable, it’s very simple to get little ones out and in of the chair, and the five-point harness is straightforward to make use of and modify as wanted. Changing it from one configuration to the following could be very easy, and the seat will be eliminated for compact folding and storage.
One of many issues we appreciated essentially the most about this excessive chair throughout testing is how simple it’s to wash. “You don’t even consider it as a hurdle or chore after meals!” our tester raved concerning the cleansing course of. You possibly can wipe the surfaces of the seat, tray, and legs with a moist material, and the tray can go within the dishwasher if wanted. Whereas the footrest does acquire some meals, it is also detachable for cleansing. We additionally love the sunshine coloration of the wooden (although it’s obtainable in darker wooden tones as properly) as a result of it makes meals and stains much less noticeable, which is right over time. After months of use by our long-term tester, the one a part of the chair that began to look worn was the tray.
This excessive chair has a very sturdy really feel to it. One among our testers famous that their toddler could be very lively and, luckily, isn’t simply capable of push the excessive chair round or get it to maneuver in all places. That stated, it’s nonetheless fairly light-weight (it weighs lower than 20 kilos as a excessive chair) so it’s adults can transfer round as wanted regardless that it doesn’t have any wheels. And, in fact, it’s actually versatile. Whereas the worth level is on the upper aspect at about $300, you should utilize it for years, with our tester noting, “You completely get what you pay for.” The minimalist design is a bonus as properly. “It’s fantastically designed, and we get pleasure from having it out in our dwelling,” our tester stated. “It doesn’t really feel prefer it provides to the child litter elsewhere.”
However Take Word
One unfavorable factor to notice? The detachable tray is definitely not toddler-proof, and our tester’s toddler can take it off and toss it to the aspect. We want it had a extra environment friendly locking system for the tray, however in any other case, it’s an important choose.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 31 x 23 x 35.4 inches
- Weight: 17.4 kilos as excessive chair, 13.2 kilos as chair, 18.9 kilos as kitchen helper
- Age vary/weight restrict: From when child can sit upright to 33 kilos as excessive chair / 3 years and as much as 220 kilos as chair / 2-7 years and as much as 100 kilos as kitchen helper
- Configurations: Excessive chair, toddler chair, kitchen helper
- Dishwasher-safe tray? Sure
- Washing-machine protected options? No
Greatest 2-in-1: Stokke Steps
Why We Like It
The Stokke Steps can be utilized in two alternative ways: as a excessive chair for infants and as a toddler chair. One factor we love concerning the toddler chair possibility is that it has a 187-pound weight capability, so it may well even be a enough chair for some adults, which means you’ll get years of use out of it.
The five-point harness is straightforward to make use of, and because the straps are hooked onto the waist buckle, you solely have to clip three elements collectively. You additionally don’t have to rethread the straps to regulate it, which is a plus. The again has two completely different positions, with one nearer to the crotch piece than the others, so it adjusts as your baby grows. So far as stability, we discovered this to be one among essentially the most sturdy choices we tried out.
Cleansing this chair can also be extremely easy. It’s primarily all wooden (the one material is the straps), so it’s very simple to wipe down and clear off as wanted. There’s no want for a dishwasher or a washer since there’s no tray or cushion. And after a number of months of each day use, one among our real-world testers famous that it “appears good as new.” With no tray, it takes up much less area than many different choices; you’ll be able to simply push it below or towards a desk as you’ll with some other chair.
However Take Word
With no tray, the chair needs to be pushed up towards a desk, which eliminates the choice to apply it to its personal in different rooms of the home. Take into account that you’ll be able to buy a tray individually for an additional charge, which solely provides to the already excessive value level of this selection. And whereas the worth level does make it much less accessible than another excessive chairs, our tester referred to as it “one thing of an funding,” noting that because of how simple it’s to wash and the way sturdy it feels, it’s one thing you’ll probably use and maintain for years, as a chair for older youngsters or as a hand-me-down for different households.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 22.6 x 22.2 x 18.8 inches
- Weight: 10.12 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: As much as 187 kilos
- Configurations: Excessive chair and toddler chair, 5 footrest positions
- Dishwasher-safe tray? No tray included
- Washing-machine protected options? No
Greatest Design: Munchkin 360 Cloud
Why We Like It
The Munchkin 360 wins for greatest design due to its revolutionary 360 rotating seat function: With a push of a button, the seat can swivel in no matter manner you want it to, in an effort to get your child in or out or flip them with out transferring all the chair (very like a rotating automotive seat). “The rotating function just isn’t one thing I knew I wanted or wished till I began testing this chair,” one among our testers stated, including that it’s extremely handy.
And if the rotating seat sounds prefer it may make it powerful to place collectively, we guarantee you the alternative is true: Setup was simple and intuitive and it took lower than two minutes to assemble after we examined it. We like that the tray simply locks into place with a mushy clicking sound. Nonetheless, we did discover the harness a bit tough to make use of, since you could raise the straps up and over the child’s shoulders.
This chair contains a wider base with legs that unfold outward, which means it has a bigger footprint than another choices on the market. Whereas that is meant to maintain the chair extra sturdy, one among our testers did word that it nonetheless feels a bit wobbly, though not sufficient to make you are feeling prefer it’s going to tip over. It’s additionally very simple to wash. We discovered that the clear plastic of the chair not solely makes it simple to see the place meals must be cleaned, which you are able to do simply by wiping it down. The tray slides off and will be positioned within the dishwasher if wanted. It does include a detachable cushion, however our real-world tester famous that they stopped utilizing it. They felt it didn’t make their child any extra comfy, and since it’s not machine-washable, cleansing it is a little more annoying than simply wiping down the plastic seat.
However Take Word
Weighing lower than 16 kilos, it is a pretty light-weight possibility. Nonetheless, the broader legs do make it a bit clumsy to maneuver round (which is partly why the rotating seat is such a pleasant plus). In case you take away the tray, it turns into a toddler chair, though the utmost weight (33 kilos) just isn’t a lot larger than the common 3 yr outdated, so it’s not as versatile as another choices. Nonetheless, we felt that this was definitely worth the value and an important worth.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 28 x 28 x 40 inches
- Weight: 16 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: 6 months to three years / As much as 33 kilos
- Configurations: Excessive chair and toddler chair
- Dishwasher-safe tray? Sure
- Washing-machine protected options? No
Greatest Funding: Stokke Tripp Trapp
Why We Like It
The Stokke Tripp Trapp is an extremely widespread possibility for a cause: it’s tremendous sturdy and sturdy, and can final for years—the weight restrict is almost 250 kilos when used as a chair, so adults can sit in it too. This makes it an important funding piece, and it options an enticing minimalist design. Additionally it is pretty compact in comparison with many different choices, and with out a tray, it may well simply slide beneath or towards a desk. We did discover meeting to be a bit tough: the directions weren’t tremendous clear, and it took virtually an hour to get all of it put collectively. As soon as it’s collectively, although, it’s fairly simple to make use of and light-weight sufficient to maneuver round with ease.
More often than not, we may wipe the Tripp Trapp clear, however when a moist material did not reduce it, we took a few of it aside to run it below the water. The straps of the harness are machine cleanable, and we have been shocked at how clear they got here out of the washer, even with their lighter coloration. The included cushion is machine cleanable as properly, and there’s no tray to wash (one will be bought individually).
However Take Word
One unfavorable factor our real-world tester famous is that it’s a bit awkward to get a child’s legs out and in when utilizing this as a excessive chair, particularly in case your child is on the bigger aspect. “My baby is so tall and the chair appears a bit small to get his legs in,” our tester famous. “We virtually want two folks to place him into the chair, one to carry his physique and one other to awkwardly bend his legs to slip them into the chair.” It’s one thing value preserving in thoughts, particularly with the upper value level. That stated, our testers did really feel this was definitely worth the value.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 20.7 x 7.8 x 31.6 inches
- Weight: 15.5 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: 6 months to grownup
- Configurations: New child chair (with separate attachment), excessive chair, and common chair, with a number of footrest positions
- Dishwasher-safe tray? No tray
- Washing-machine protected options? Straps and cushion
Greatest Worth: Graco Table2Table Excessive Chair
Why We Like It
For round $200, the Graco Table2Table is one thing you’ll be able to use from infancy properly into toddlerhood because of its distinctive design. This is among the few excessive chairs we discovered that has a reclining seat that’s protected for infants to make use of (though it’s value noting that in the event that they must be reclined, they received’t be consuming pureés or strong meals within the chair). It may also be used as a conventional excessive chair, an toddler booster seat with a tray, a toddler booster seat with out a tray, a toddler chair, and a two-piece toddler desk and chair. In case you have two little ones, you’ll be able to even use one piece as a toddler chair and the opposite as an toddler booster seat. This makes it extremely versatile and an important worth, though our real-world tester did word that with all of those items, storage generally is a little annoying.
We like that the wheels within the again let you push it round as wanted. We felt that the rethread harness was a bit unnecessarily sophisticated for a excessive chair, nevertheless it wasn’t an enormous deal. Whereas this one does wobble, it doesn’t really feel unsturdy. One among our testers additionally felt that this was a bit cumbersome, with a extensive base and legs that stretch out fairly a bit, taking on a good quantity of area. Nonetheless, it does fold when not in use, which is a pleasant function.
However Take Word
Cleansing this excessive chair isn’t too tough, nevertheless it is a bit more time-consuming than another choices. As one among our testers famous, there’s plenty of material, which at all times makes cleansing a bit extra irritating, nevertheless it was really fairly easy to wipe it down, and the cushion is machine cleanable. We additionally like that it’s simple to take away the tray and place it within the dishwasher (though one tester famous it was a bit too massive for his or her dishwasher). Nonetheless, one among our testers seen that some spilled milk received trapped within the again nook beneath the seat cowl in a hidden crevice, so contemplate that cleansing this one may take some extra time.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 24 x 27 x 44 inches
- Weight: 25.2 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: Excessive chair as much as 40 kilos, toddler booster as much as 60 kilos
- Configurations: Excessive chair, toddler booster seat, toddler chair and desk
- Dishwasher-safe tray? Sure
- Washing-machine protected options? Cushion
Sturdiest: Peg Perego Siesta
Why We Like It
The Peg Perego Siesta is a superb choose if you would like a chair you should utilize when your baby is an toddler by means of their toddler years. In contrast to many different choices, it has a consolation recline mode the place it principally acts as a reclining seat to your child. They received’t be consuming meals within the seat, however it may be a pleasant place for them to take a seat and calm down when you could put them down. As soon as they’re capable of sit up on their very own, it may be used as a conventional excessive chair. Our tester famous that it took lower than a minute to place collectively, because it was just about utterly assembled upon arrival.
There are 9 completely different peak positions in order that it actually grows together with your toddler. The five-point harness is fairly simple to make use of and retains your baby safe. Whereas it does have a average footprint when opened up, an enormous plus is that it folds when not in use, making it far more compact and excellent for smaller areas. Our tester discovered it to be very intuitive to make use of: It makes a loud click on for any adjustment made, in order that you realize it’s in place. We additionally felt prefer it was extremely sturdy, regardless of our greatest efforts to see if it could fall within the lab. After many tries of knocking it down with adult-level drive, it slid as a substitute of toppled virtually each time. The wheels additionally lock for security so that you don’t have to fret about it transferring simply.
So far as cleansing goes, it took lower than 10 minutes for us to wash this one after we completely doused it in numerous meals. The tray is detachable and will be positioned within the dishwasher. The seat could be very simple to wipe down, and the liner will be eliminated so you’ll be able to actually get in there, however we didn’t discover any hard-to-reach crevices.
However Take Word
We like that the two-layer tray design has a detachable cup holder and there’s a handy storage internet on the again of the seat that is an efficient place to stay clear bibs or different consuming provides. All of that being stated, we did really feel the worth level was a bit excessive, particularly in case you go for sure colours that give a wood-like end.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 29.75 x 23.75 x 41.5 inches
- Weight: 24 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: 0-6 months to 45 kilos
- Configurations: 5 reclining positions, 9 peak positions
- Dishwasher-safe tray? Sure
- Washing-machine protected options? No
Greatest Price range: Ingenuity Beanstalk
Why We Like It
The Ingenuity Beanstalk is actually cheap at lower than $150, nevertheless it comes with a ton of various options. It has the flexibility for use as an toddler seat (with a soothing vibration possibility and cute stuffed toys included), a conventional excessive chair, an toddler eating chair, a toddler booster seat, and a toddler chair. You can too use it as a booster seat and an toddler seat for 2 infants on the identical time. This implies you’ll get years of use out of this one for a very aggressive value level, which we love. Our tester beloved utilizing it as an toddler recliner as a result of it allowed their child to be seated in the next place so that they didn’t should kneel on the ground to work together with them.
General, we discovered this excessive chair to be very easy to wash with no crevices that meals may get lodged into. We wiped it down with out utilizing plenty of effort, and when it was put within the washer, it got here out like new. Between all the handy options, ease of use, and low value level, this is a superb budget-friendly choose.
However Take Word
It took lower than quarter-hour to assemble, though it did include plenty of elements. The straightforward design is sweet to take a look at and the sunshine colours maintain it from being too busy. We discovered it to be very sturdy (it didn’t wobble in any respect and by no means felt prefer it may tip over), nevertheless it does have a large base and it’s fairly massive. It’s not excellent for smaller areas, particularly because it doesn’t fold. It does have wheels on the entrance to make it a bit simpler to maneuver round and utilizing the five-point harness was easy and fast. The tray is detachable and is available in two elements, so in case your baby isn’t very messy you solely have to wash the highest half. It’s additionally dishwasher protected, if needed.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 30.12 x 23.11 x 43.98 inches
- Weight: 11.34 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: New child to five years
- Configurations: Toddler seat, excessive chair, toddler eating chair, toddler booster seat, toddler chair
- Dishwasher-safe tray? Sure
- Washing-machine protected options? No
Best to Clear: Lalo The Chair
Why We Like It
The Lalo excessive chair gives a really minimalist design, with a detachable cushion that makes it actually easy to wash. The design is smooth and aesthetically pleasing, which is a plus. We felt it was fairly secure, however our tester did discover some wobbliness that made them a bit nervous. For the worth level, we felt it may have been a bit sturdier. The base can also be fairly extensive, so it does have a bigger footprint than another choices. The tray clicks in audibly and the footrest will be adjusted as your child grows. The straps really feel a bit flimsy, and eradicating them to wash them generally is a irritating expertise (word: Lalo not too long ago modified the material of the straps to make them extra sturdy and straightforward to wash).
One of many largest benefits of the Lalo excessive chair is how simple it’s to wash. We didn’t discover any hidden crevices the place meals can get caught. In case you wait some time, some meals can get caught on and require a little bit of scrubbing, however wiping the whole lot proper after a meal ought to do the trick. The cotton cushion is straightforward to take away and snap again on, and it may be thrown within the washer. (The vegan leather-based cushion just isn’t machine cleanable.) Whereas the cushion does get fairly soiled, it appears nearly as good as new as soon as it’s been washed. It’s additionally even simpler to wash in case you forgo the cushion altogether.
However Take Word
Whereas this excessive chair can be utilized as a booster seat and as a toddler chair, making it extra versatile, you could buy additional equipment to take action. One among our testers was additionally dissatisfied within the seat itself as a result of it didn’t encourage higher posture—we want you didn’t should buy an additional cushion individually with a view to give your little yet one more assist. That is positively a sleek-looking excessive chair with the flexibility for use by means of toddlerhood, however it’s a bit dear.
The Particulars:
- Dimensions: 24.5 x 24.5 x 33 inches
- Weight: 10 kilos
- Age vary/weight restrict: 4-6 months as much as 3 years outdated or 30 kilos
- Configurations: Excessive chair or booster or toddler chair (with separate purchases), 2 footrest positions
- Dishwasher protected? Sure
- Washing-machine protected? Cotton cushions are machine cleanable, vegan leather-based cushions will not be
Different Notable Excessive Chairs
- Nuna Zazz Excessive Chair: We beloved the magnetic buckle on this chair (our tester referred to as it “genius”) and the over 200-pound weight most for the toddler chair mode, in addition to the distinctive and fashionable look. It’s a sturdy, strong possibility that’s simple to make use of with a sturdy and cozy foam cushion. Nonetheless, we didn’t love the tray design. It might’t be eliminated and isn’t adjustable, and it tends to take a seat removed from the kid, making it simpler for them to drop meals and make a multitude. We additionally seen a big crevice the place meals can get caught that could be very tough to wash. For almost $400, that is additionally a fairly excessive value level.
- Maxi-Cosi Moa 8-in-1 Excessive Chair: We actually appreciated the multi-functional use of this excessive chair, which can be utilized as a excessive chair, booster seat, or small toddler chair. It’s a flexible possibility that’s simple to arrange and straightforward to maneuver round. That stated, cleansing may have been simpler to wash—one among our testers famous that meals was getting caught below the cushion and making cleansing extra irritating.
- Abiie Past Junior Excessive Chair: This chair appears like a less expensive dupe of a Stokke. Whereas it does have a fairly sturdy really feel to it, we discovered that the plastic tray was tough to make use of and even snapped off throughout testing, which gave us pause on its general high quality. There are little nooks and crannies the place meals can fall into, and the wooden wasn’t simple to wipe down. It was additionally oddly quick, which implies it could be powerful for somebody taller to make use of it.
Our Testing Course of
We examined 31 excessive chairs in our New York testing lab in addition to at dwelling with our personal youngsters. We consulted Ben Hoffman, M.D., pediatrician and nationally acknowledged skilled in baby damage prevention and training, to make sure we have been taking a look at all the essential security options and issues.
- Meeting: We timed how lengthy it took to assemble every excessive chair straight out of the field, paid consideration as to whether the directions have been fast and intuitive to comply with, and famous if it got here with all the proper instruments for the job. When you solely have to assemble a excessive chair as soon as (till you reconfigure it or pull it out for an additional baby), you don’t need it to be a ache.
- Stability: Security is a very powerful side of any excessive chair, so we had testers rock the excessive chair forwards and backwards and back and forth, jostling the seat as properly, to see how a lot it moved and if it felt prefer it was going to tip over. If the excessive chair had wheels, we pushed it round to see how properly the wheels locked. We appeared on the five-point harness to verify it’s simple to make use of and may modify to create a safe match round your baby.
- Cleansing and Sturdiness: Ideally your excessive chair will final just a few years (and possibly even by means of a number of youngsters), so it’s essential that it doesn’t present put on and tear rapidly. Issues received messy each within the lab and at dwelling after we examined chairs—after which cleaned them up. Within the lab, we coated the chairs in avocado, tomato sauce, milk, and cereal. Then we timed how lengthy it took to wipe down and clear every chair each instantly after use and after stains set in a single day. We put machine- and dishwasher-safe elements by means of the wash and checked out how properly they held up. We received into the crevices to see if there was any manner meals may get trapped.
- Design and Options: We took word of what number of configurations every excessive chair had, how simple it was to regulate them, and whether or not the configurations have been helpful. We appeared intently at how a lot area the chairs took up when in use and in the event that they folded up compact for smaller areas or discreet storage. We additionally evaluated the finishes, materials, and supplies used, noting how comfy, purposeful, and enticing they’re. Two-layer trays have been good additions on a few of the chairs that made our checklist—not solely are they simple to wash, however they permit for diverse consuming surfaces.
Our Specialists
After testing, we additionally consulted the next specialists to study what to search for in a protected and cozy excessive chair.
- Ben Hoffman, M.D., pediatrician and nationally acknowledged skilled in baby damage prevention and training
- Steven Shuman, nationwide skilled in public well being and early childhood growth on the Nationwide Heart on Well being, Behavioral Well being, and Security.
- Shelly Patularu, registered nurse and worldwide board-certified lactation marketing consultant
Elements to Think about When Shopping for a Excessive Chair
- Security and Stability: Security is a very powerful issue to contemplate when selecting a excessive chair. Excessive chairs ought to have a large base that may’t be tipped over or knocked round. They need to even have a harness to maintain your baby safe of their seat and forestall them from climbing out. Excessive chairs should meet security requirements for each stability and harnesses, in addition to embody warning statements. The Juvenile Merchandise Producers Affiliation (JPMA) has a testing and certification program for prime chairs, so if you see a label with the JPMA approval, you realize that it meets these requirements.
- Straightforward to Clear: Until your baby is an exceptionally neat eater, you’ll be cleansing it off after each meal (and even snack). You need a excessive chair that’s simple to wash and wipe down rapidly, because you’ll probably solely have just a few moments to take action (or just one hand to do it with). Search for chairs that don’t function tiny nooks and crannies the place meals can get misplaced. Excessive chairs with detachable cushions that may be thrown within the washer make deep cleanings simple, and waterproof and wipeable cushions are additionally nice. Detachable trays and different elements make it simple to wash every part.
- Straightforward Meeting and Adjustability: Search for one thing that’s simple to assemble and doesn’t must be adjusted frequently. Since that is one thing you may use three to 5 occasions a day, you need it to require little or no effort or thought. Search for excessive chairs with a five-point harness that’s easy to take aside and put again collectively when cleansing.
- Dimension, Form, and Weight: A excessive chair will probably find yourself sitting in your eating room or kitchen for just a few years, relying on what number of completely different little ones are going to be utilizing it. Some excessive chairs are extra compact, however many have bases that may be fairly extensive. Sturdy excessive chairs are typically a bit cumbersome and huge to make sure your child’s security. All the time take a look at the general dimensions (particularly if it folds down right into a smaller form for storage) to make sure that the excessive chair will match comfortably in no matter room of your property you’re going to make use of it in essentially the most. You must also take note of the general weight, particularly in case you suppose you’ll be transferring the excessive chair from room to room frequently.
- Performance and Design: Some excessive chairs are designed to adapt over time, making them comfy for 6-month-old infants and older toddlers alike. If aesthetics matter to you, search for one thing that goes with the design of your property. You must also word whether or not or not the excessive chair has a footrest, and whether or not it’s adjustable.
- Worth and Sturdiness: An excellent excessive chair ought to final for just a few years. Search for one thing that may develop together with your baby so that they’re at all times comfy in it. Think about how lengthy you suppose you’ll need to use the chair. The next value doesn’t at all times equal a greater or extra sturdy chair. Take into consideration your loved ones’s way of life and habits when selecting the perfect one for you.
Methods to Use Excessive Chairs Safely
After they aren’t used appropriately, excessive chairs generally is a massive security threat for little ones. “The largest threat with excessive chairs are falls, so dad and mom ought to use the excessive chair because the producer directed,” Dr. Hoffman says. Maintain the under suggestions in thoughts every time your baby is in a excessive chair:
- All the time use the interior harness: The American Academy of Pediatrics and specialists we spoke to all stress the significance of at all times utilizing the interior harness and crotch strap every time your child is seated within the excessive chair. This will stop your child from slipping down, falling, or changing into trapped, all of which may result in damage and even loss of life. Don’t use the tray with out the harness securing your baby in place.
- Maintain locking mechanisms in thoughts: If the excessive chair folds or has any sort of locking mechanism, at all times be certain that it’s locked and in place as soon as a toddler is seated there.
- Be conscious of the place you place the excessive chair: “Don’t place the excessive chair close to a counter, desk, wall, or different floor,” Shuman says. “The kid might be able to push laborious sufficient towards these surfaces to tip the chair over.” Dr. Hoffman additionally notes that it’s essential to play the excessive chair on even flooring so there isn’t a threat of it tipping over.
- By no means go away a toddler unattended: You need to by no means stroll away from a child in a excessive chair, even when your baby is snugly strapped in and you are feeling the excessive chair is sturdy. “As with most issues, it’s greatest if there’s fixed supervision,” Dr. Hoffman warns.
- Clear the excessive chair repeatedly: As Shuman notes, meals that will get caught in or on the excessive chair can result in mould development. Ensure you’re cleansing it as typically as doable.
- Verify for any product remembers: Verify for product remembers earlier than you buy a excessive chair and register the product if doable to make sure you hear about any remembers that will come up.
- Maintain security requirements in thoughts. “In 2019, the U.S. Client Product Security Fee (CPSC) accepted a new federal obligatory security commonplace to make excessive chairs safer,” Shuman says. “The brand new obligatory commonplace applies to any toddler excessive chair manufactured or imported on or after June 19, 2019.” These requirements embody warning labels, three-point restraint methods, and rearward stability.
Your Questions, Answered
When can a child use a excessive chair?
A child ought to by no means be positioned in a excessive chair till they’re developmentally prepared. “It’s essential to make it possible for youngsters will not be being put in excessive chairs earlier than they will sit up independently,” Dr. Hoffman says. “For most youngsters, that’s 4 to six months outdated (at an absolute minimal), however that doesn’t imply that each child 4 to six months [old] goes to work in each seat. All the time make it possible for the match matches your baby and that your baby is developmentally prepared for it.” Generally, in case your baby can sit up on their very own, they need to have the ability to sit in a excessive chair.
Bear in mind to additionally take a look at the producer tips to your particular excessive chair. “Producers and distributors may additionally point out a weight restriction to be used by youngsters who don’t exceed 37 kilos,” Shuman says.
Is a excessive chair needed?
Whereas some households could really feel {that a} excessive chair just isn’t needed, they’re a protected manner to your child to eat. “Some households could choose to skip a excessive chair and have their child sit on an grownup’s lap throughout mealtime, or have the child sit upright on the ground for meals,” Patularu says. “Whereas these practices are unusual, they are often carried out safely. Nonetheless, I’d say the overwhelming majority of households will select to make use of a excessive chair for feeding their baby into toddlerhood. Excessive chairs provide a protected, contained area to your child to have meals.”
The AAP recommends towards using seats that hook onto a desk, saying they’re “not substitute for a freestanding one.”
How do you clear excessive chair straps?
As Patularu notes, it’s greatest if you will discover a excessive chair that provides detachable straps or strap pads for simple cleansing. (It’s even higher if they are often thrown within the wash.) In any other case, search for a excessive chair with straps which are simple to wipe down and that don’t provide hidden tiny areas the place meals can get misplaced. Straps will be wiped down with a moist paper towel or wipe.
Who We Are
Jessica Sales space is a contract author who covers parenting, buying, wellness, leisure, and marriage ceremony content material. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and earlier than that, labored as an editor at a web-based publication for seven years. She has written for websites comparable to Brides, Folks, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Every day Beast, Reviewed, She Is aware of, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Anticipate. She additionally has two younger daughters and tried out a number of various kinds of excessive chairs earlier than discovering her favourite: the Lalo excessive chair.