Children always want to be present - even at the dining table. Of course, this also applies to the little ones. With a good high chair, they are very close to the action and can communicate with everyone present. High chairs for babies come in a wide variety of designs. We tell you what to look for when buying and what else you should know about high chairs.
What is a high chair?
A high chair is a chair specially designed for babies and toddlers. Your child can actively participate in meals on a high chair and it makes feeding easier for you, because almost all high chairs have a removable tabletop on which you can place the food for your child. Without this plate, the chair can usually be pushed up to the table.
To ensure that your child is not only comfortable but also safe in the high chair, the chairs must meet certain standards.
Standards for high chairs
Just like the curvature of bananas, there is also an EU standard for high chairs. It is called EN 14988 and defines all the important requirements for free-standing high chairs. It stipulates, for example, that a high chair for babies must be tilt-resistant and stable, even if your baby fidgets restlessly in the chair. A belt is also required to prevent your child from getting out or falling out on its own.
Important
When buying a high chair, make sure that it bears a reference to the EN 14988 standard. GS mark and TÜV seal are also desirable.
In terms of height, there are no specific requirements. What is important here is that the chair fits optimally at or under the dining table. Point of reference: most tables have their tabletops at about 75cm high.
These high chair variants are available
As with almost all items for babies and children, the selection of high chairs is huge! And as with most items, there is unfortunately a lot of nonsense on the market. We have taken for you the two currently best models in the assortment.
But let's start at the beginning: What types of high chairs are there?
All highchairs have something in common: they provide an elevated sitting position for your child. However, the construction varies depending on the model:
- Stair high chairs
- Combination high chairs
- multi-purpose high chairs and
- travel high chairs.
The stair high chair - a chair that grows with the child
One of the most common high chairs is the stair high chair. The two adjustable surfaces - seat and footrest - can be adjusted to the child's size at any time and, in some models, even step by step - in other words, a chair that grows with the child. The top models can withstand a maximum load of 100kg, the Nomi even 150kg. Such chairs can easily accompany your child up to school age. And longer! Fortunately, because it is often underestimated how long it takes until a child can sit orthopedically correct on an adult chair.
These are the Tripp Trapp from Stokke and the NOMI from Evomove. Both are very variable in the adjustment possibilities - the Nomi even without tools - and both can already be used with a newborn with the appropriate accessories. And what hardly anyone knows: both are from the same designer, Peter Opsvik. However, he took about 40 years after the Tripp Trapp to design the Nomi.
The combination high chair - a quick-change artist
Combination high chairs used to be the most common type of high chair for chilpadren. Even today, they usually consist of a small chair and a separate toddler-sized table. The two parts can be attached on top of each other so that your little darling can sit at the dining table. The high chair is used separately as a painting or play table.
Combination high chairs are usually made of wood and can be easily converted without tools. Why they have gone out of fashion? They are quite heavy and take up a lot of space. Therefore, they are a good choice for very few families.
The multipurpose high chair - more of a compromise
The multipurpose high chair is a metal construction with an ergonomically shaped plastic seat shell. Soft padding ensures comfortable sitting. Multi-purpose high chairs are only suitable for your baby when he or she can already sit freely, i.e. from about 6-8 months. A seat belt (usually 5-point belt) provides safety.
Thanks to their pyramid-like shape, they are largely tip-proof, and they can often be folded to save space. There is room for a plate on the removable tray and, on some models, a recess for a drinking cup. Since the seat shell can be adjusted several times, a multipurpose chair also grows somewhat. However, the seating area is usually limited and only suitable for smaller children.
The travel high chair - practical for on the road
The travel high chair is a small fabric-covered construction without legs, which can be attached to the dining table with screws. It can be easily folded to save space and is perfect to take with you.
Attention
Great for traveling, but for permanent use we do not recommend this children's high seat! Often a travel high chair is designed for a relatively low maximum body weight anyway.
When can a baby sit in a high chair?
Manufacturers often state that their high chair is suitable for babies as young as six months. However, as is so often the case, the decisive factor is not the age of the child, but its stage of development. Without a newborn insert, we recommend not putting the baby in a high chair until it can already sit freely. This is a sure sign that your baby's back is sufficiently developed to support its body weight without further assistance. If your baby sits rather bent over and with a rounded back in the high chair and tilts to the left or right more often, he or she is not yet ready for the high chair.
Do not let your baby sit in the high chair for too long
If possible, children up to the age of about 18 months should only sit in the high chair for the duration of a meal in order to avoid deformities and maldevelopment of the spine.
High chairs with a baby rocker are an exception. Here even a newborn baby may take a seat, because it can lie relaxed.
Putting the baby in the high chair - this is what you have to pay attention to
Sitting independently in a high chair is a very special experience for your baby. He gets a wonderful overview of his environment and can participate in everything that happens. His hands are free to eat and, of course, to play. At the beginning, however, don't let your little treasure sit in the chair for more than 20 minutes. This allows the back to slowly get used to this position. It is important that the child is able to sit up independently and hold itself well in an upright position.
Freedom of movement is essential
In order for the back muscles to be strengthened sufficiently, enough freedom of movement during the day is enormously important. It can develop particularly well if your baby lies on its stomach a lot.
What you should look for when buying a high chair
Quality plays an important role in choosing the right high chair - as with other products. Pay particular attention to the following factors:
Other requirements for the material
Mandatory requirements for a safe high chair also include rounded edges and toxin-free materials.
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The stability
A high chair must be stable and easily support the weight of a toddler. Therefore, vVespecially chairs that grow with the child are therefore designed for a significantly higher weight.
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Safety
One of the most important criteria is the safety of your child. After all, babies and toddlers move a lot while they explore the world. Therefore, safety must also be ensured in the high chair. Probably the biggest danger is that children slip out of the chair. To prevent this, actually all high chairs for children are equipped with devices such as safety belts and anti-slip devices.
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The material
High chairs for children are made of unbreakable materials such as solid wood or metal in combination with plastic.
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Fit and comfort
A good high chair has the perfect fit so that your baby can sit in it for as long as possible. Comfort is also important. An adjustable footrest is hugely important. Depending on the age and size of the child, the backrest can also be adjusted. Because: only if your child feels comfortable in the high chair, he will like to use it.
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Cleaning options
Since a high chair is usually used for eating, all materials should also tolerate moisture and be easy to clean. If individual components are removable, this makes cleaning easier.
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Are there accessories?
There are many different accessories for high chairs. Some of them are useful, others not so much. We can basically recommend special harness systems, as available for the Tripp Trapp. If it is not already included, then you should purchase a table attachment. And for more comfort and seating, we can recommend suitable seat pads.
Often there are also motor toys for children's high chairs. However, this only makes sense if your child sits in the high chair more often and especially outside of mealtimes. At mealtime, it would only be a distraction and therefore not particularly useful.
Find the perfect high chair at HERR UND FRAU KLEIN
They are a dime a dozen: high chairs in a wide variety of designs. But not every one of them is good. In our assortment you will find a small but fine selection of TÜV-certified high chairs that meet all current safety requirements. Incidentally, both the Tripp Trapp from Stokke and the NOMI from Evomove were the test winners at Stiftung Warentest in 2018. Quite incidentally, both of them are also quite pretty to look at.
Visit us in one of our stores in Vienna or Dornbirn and convince yourself of our selection of functional high chairs. Of course, we are also happy to advise you by phone at +43 1 990 43 94 or send us a message at service@herrundfrauklein.com.
