When it comes to our children, we all want the very best for them. When they’re still little babies though, this need is more pronounced than ever. Babies are little, but they really do require a lot. From lots of attention and care to the right kind of baby clothing, bathing products, stimulating toys, food, and so much more, taking care of a newborn can be rather overwhelming.
Babies need diverse meals as much as any other human being does. You’ve probably already done your research on all the different foods you can and should give your baby in different periods, but have you looked closely into baby high chairs? Probably as important as the food itself, a proper high chair provides you with peace of mind that your baby will be safe during mealtimes and everything will go smoothly.
Still, not all high chairs are made the same. There are nuanced differences between them. Let’s take a look at the main features you should be looking for in a high chair to ensure you get the right one for your little bundle of joy.
The Chair Itself
Your best bet when buying a high chair is actually investing in a well-made, durable designer highchair. When mentioning the word “designer”, many people may get concerned about the price of the piece. However, a designer highchair doesn’t have to be overly expensive – it just means that it is exquisitely crafted.
Designer feeding chairs are chairs that, I can comfortably say, sit at the top of the high chair pyramid. Thought out to perfection, they are items that provide functionality, durability, safety, and looks all in one. Usually, baby high chairs are made of plastic, a material that isn’t good for either longevity or the environment. Designer highchairs, however, can be made of a plethora of materials, with wood being a choice that most manufacturers make, even though plastic is still on the table, alongside metal.
Wood is a material that won’t crack under the pressure, will look good, and will make sure your baby is safe and sound at mealtime. Still, as I said, plastic is on the table (or chair, rather?), but the difference between a plastic designer high chair and a regular one is in the composition of the plastic, the way it is manufactured into a chair, its recyclability, and so on.
Bar & Tray
The seat itself isn’t the only thing you need to focus on. It provides the baby with a place to sit, but the safety features of the chair are enhanced by a safety bar that basically locks your baby into the chair comfortably, allowing them to move all they want without being a danger to themselves. When bars are in question, you can get either wood or plastic, depending on the chair itself and your preference, with all the elements we spoke of before still applying.
While combinations can be made, designer baby feeding chairs usually come as a whole set, so by making the first decision you’ll actually be making all the other ones as well. Still, as sets can vary, it’s important to go through all the options.
When it comes to trays, you can also get either a wooden one, a plastic one, or one made of a different material, although I’d recommend sticking to plastic. The plastic that’s part of a designer high chair is different from the regular, cheap plastic, but it also shares a lot of abilities with it.
For example, it’s easier to clean up, which is something that’s extremely important during mealtime. Babies can, are, and will be messy, so it’s such a relief to be able to clean the eating station easily. While wooden trays can be coated and made for easier cleanup, plastic still wins this round for me because it doesn’t require any special treatment, it’s something it just possesses. Pair this with the fact that it’s quality-made and distinguishes itself from regular plastic in a lot more ways as well and you have yourself a truly winning combination.
Accessories
To finish off, let’s talk a bit about accessories. Feeding chair accessories are a diverse bunch and can range from accessories for the seat itself to accessories for all the other parts of the chair.
For example, when talking about seat accessories, something you can get to make your baby’s mealtime more comfortable is a nice little cushion they can sit on while in their highchair. A cushion will provide even more comfort and safety for your child without restricting their movement. These cushions are specially designed and manufactured to fit high chairs perfectly, so if you’re planning on getting one, make sure you buy it from a trusted baby apparel and accessory manufacturer that will guarantee its quality.
Another important consideration is the colour of the chair itself. Babies like things that are brightly coloured, so when buying your highchair, make sure your baby will love the colour. Designer high chairs usually come in soothing, natural colours that will help calm your baby. If you want to spice that up a little bit, you can use things like stickers, for example, or even paint to create your very own, custom high chair. If you opt for this option, make sure to not apply anything on the eating tray as it will only make things harder to clean up while not providing too much of an appeal.
