High Chairs are a great way to make mealtimes more enjoyable for your baby or toddler. Not only do they provide safety at mealtime, but also give them an elevated place in the kitchen when you’re prepping food and even allow them their own table and chair experience. Highchairs can serve many different purposes such as being used from newborns all the way up until preschoolers so children get plenty of use out of them.
Highchairs also make supervising mealtimes and cleaning up the mess much easier on parents as well so here are some tricks about choosing which ones would be perfect for families with young children.
Highchairs are a long-term investment that can be used for up to 4 years old. Therefore, it is important you find the right highchair best suited for your child’s needs and routine.
It is key when deciding on which one is best suited for you to consider how long they’re going to be using their chair as well as what type of design suits them or if there’s room within your budget.
Table of Contents
What is the ideal age to use a high chair?
Not all high chairs are created equal. Before purchasing a baby seat, consider the following. Your baby needs to be 6 months with good head and neck control in order to sit safely inside it. The safety harness should fit well, your child should have the ability to support themselves while seated, and there should be enough padding for comfortability.
Highchairs with a recline feature allow parents to have their baby off the ground and close by in order for them to easily interact. If it’s important for you to be able to maintain the visibility of your child when cooking, look out for highchairs that offer this capability.
If it’s important to have your baby off the ground and close to you when cooking then looks for a highchair with a full recline feature. Most new models also offer add-on newborn pods – snug seats that can be used from birth.
The 7 Best Baby Monitors in New Zealand
What to look for when buying a high chair
Portability – A great highchair should be easy to transport and fit in the boot of your car. Some chairs can attach directly to a kitchen table or chair without needing legs, but these don’t have as much padding which is uncomfortable for babies.
Enough space – A compact highchair is a great choice if your kitchen isn’t large. You don’t want to trip over it because the legs can cover a wide area and take up lots of space. Some traditional highchairs have flared legs that can be hazardous as you may constantly bump into them while cooking in the kitchen. Always check measurements before buying one for safety’s sake.
Multipurpose use – High Chairs are no longer just used to feed your child. You can also use them as a traditional highchair, booster seat for smaller children, and even an infant car seat when they get older. However, this comes with a higher price tag but it’s worth considering whether you want one long-lasting investment product or prefer cheaper styles over the years.
Easy to clean material – Meal times can get super messy, particularly during weaning. This means that how easy your highchair is to clean quickly becomes an important question. Do you want a simple plastic or wood wipe-clean model or machine washing fabric covers? Look for lots of nooks and crannies for food to get pushed into in the design. Look for a removable tray, so that you can put it in the dishwasher when needed.
Age suitability – Highchairs are now being designed to be suitable for children from around 6 months of life. These chairs have extra padding and recline functions which make them safe for infants who might crawl or toddle around on their own.
The Best Baby High Chair NZ
1. Moon High Chair
The Moon High baby Chair is the best high chair for your child. It has a sleek and elegant design that will fit in with any decor. The multi-angle seat recline provides maximum comfort and safety for your child while eating meals at the table with you.
This high chair is easy to clean and can be wiped down with a damp cloth after each use. It also features an adjustable height, allowing it to grow along with your child from infancy through toddlerhood until they are ready to sit on their own at the dinner table.
2. Ingenuity Smartserve High Chair
This High Chair is a multi-functional high chair that grows with your child from infancy to toddlerhood. Featuring 4 ways to use the high chair as your baby grows, this innovative highchair has hidden tray extensions that can be used as a booster seat for an older child or to store additional utensils and snacks.
This High Chair also converts into a toddler chair or two-kid feeding station. With its simple, folding design, the highchair is easy to transport.
3. Pandora Highchair
Pandora high chair is a great solution for your baby. It offers a comfortable seat and an adjustable backrest to allow your child to sit up straight or recline. This chair has a five-point safety harness, a removable tray with cup holder and an adjustable foot rest.
The seat can be adjusted to four different positions so that the baby can sit at the table with you as they grow. It is made from durable plastic that is easy to clean, making it perfect for everyday use.
4. CENA Highchair
The Cena Highchair is a great chair for babies and toddlers. It has a padded seat, which can be adjusted to 8 different height positions. This Highchair also features an adjustable footrest. This highchair is suitable from birth until around 3 years old.
The tray of this highchair can be removed very easily, making it very easy to clean. It can fold away easily too, so you can store it away when not in use or take it with you on holiday.
5. Ingenuity SmartClean Trio 3-in-1 High Chair
This two-tone grey colour high chair will look great in your home. It is easy to clean and converts from a high chair to a booster seat to a toddler seat with its 360° wheels you can move around your home. The removable tray makes it easy to clean up after mealtime messes, and the three height adjustments ensure your child is always at the right height for feeding or playing.
6. ZURI High Chair (Natural)
This is a stylish, comfortable and safe high chair that will last for years to come. The timber finish is eye-catching and the lightweight design makes it easy to move around. It has an adjustable tray that allows you to keep your child secure while they are eating or playing with toys on the floor. The seat has foam padding to ensure comfort for your little one.
7. InfaSecure Sedia Multifunction High / Low Chair
This High chair is the ideal solution for parents that want to give their child a place of his own at the table. The chair can be adjusted to fit any table, and it has castor wheels so your child can easily move around when you need. It has a padded insert that gives your little one extra comfort while the child eats, and the storage basket underneath makes it easy to keep all of his toys organized. This high chair is easy to use, clean and store away when not in use.
8. Grotime Birch High / Low Timber Chair
The Grotime Birch is a stylish, modern highchair that will make mealtimes fun for your little one. The seat can be adjusted to two different heights and the safety harness has five height adjustments which make it suitable from birth up until your child is able to sit unaided. Its tray is removable for easy cleaning.
9. Kinderkraft Tixi High Chair Rose
Kinderkraft Tixi baby high chair is the perfect addition to your little girl’s nursery. This pink and white high chair has a comfortable fabric seat pad, durable beech wood and plastic construction, and a removable tray with safety straps.
The handy footrest keeps your baby cosy as she eats her meals. This cute high chair will make mealtime more enjoyable for you and your little one.
10. Kinderkraft Yummy Feeding Chair
Kinderkraft baby high chair is multi-coloured and easy to clean, making it an ideal addition to your baby’s feeding area. It has a height adjustment feature that allows you to adjust the seat according to your child’s needs and it can be folded into a standing position for easy storage when not in use.
The adjustable footrest provides comfort for your little one while sitting on his high chair and the removable tray makes cleaning up after meals quick and convenient.