High chairs are another item deemed necessary to help your parenting journey. And like many other baby items, the options are vast. So what is the best high chair Australia? This article will weigh the options, taking into account safety, affordability, comfort, and style.
Introduction
What is the best Australian high chair for your little one?
Like every other baby item out there, so many options are available. Safety should be the main priority, but after that, it all depends on your budget, style, and what you want to get out of it. There are many with various practical and versatile features. That’s right, even high chairs can come with all the bells and whistles.
We’ve researched six of the most highly rated high chairs so that you can make an informed decision without the long, daunting, and somewhat terrifying list of options out there.
Are there any Australian high chairs that are made by Australian companies?
There are a few Australian companies that produce high chairs. One is Redsbaby with products designed and created in-house. Steelcraft, another Australian-based company, sells the Steelcraft Messina Deluxe High Chair. Another is LoveNCare, established in 1987, a company geared toward baby products. “This manufacturer maintains a team of professional designers who will personally design and produce the baby high chairs.” https://www.riverbabygroup.com/list-of-baby-high-chair-manufacturers/ A cool fact about this company is that you can try out the high chairs in person. What better way to find what you’re looking for than to see the product in person and test out its design.
This last high chair, the “Nest” high chair, was designed by Australian architect Sally Dominguez in 2002. Since its debut, this type of high chair has gone through multiple adjustments and is now manufactured in the United Kingdom. Its birthplace, however, was Melbourne, Australia. https://collection.maas.museum/object/354188
What features should I look for in a high chair?
These are several features you should think about when buying a high chair. The most important aspect of a high chair is its safety. Does the chair have restraints? If not, is your baby tucked in tight and thus unable to maneuver themselves out of the seat? Also, think about if your baby can tip themselves over by pushing off the table their chair is in front of, or connected to.
Another feature to think about is ease of access because you don’t want to fight the chair one-armed while holding onto your baby with your other arm. But let’s be honest, what are mothers most concerned about after safety? How easy it is to clean! Can the tray be taken off and wiped down? Can the seat easily be stripped and thrown in the washing machine?
A couple more features of note are if the chair can grow with the child, does the chair have a footrest, and is it foldable? https://pathways.org/utensils-and-high-chairs/ The less practical options include the style and design of the high chair.
What are the 6 best Australian high chairs?
- Made top ten high chairs on numerous lists
- Easy to clean
- Adjustable seat and footrest
- Has a five point safety harness
- Sturdy construction – can hold up to 136kg
- Comes in a large variety of colors
- Classic, iconic design
- Can be easily pushed into a dining table
- Most affordable
- Easy to disassemble and take along with you
- Raised edges prevents spills
- Safety harness included
- No cloth insert unless purchased separately – makes seat super easy to clean
- Safe, durable, and stable
- Simple, minimal design
- BPA free
- Suitable for newborns – unlike most high chairs that are rated for 6 months and up
- 3 reclining positions
- Tray can be adjusted up or down to accommodate different ages and sizes of child
- 5 point safety harness that can be removed when no longer needed
- Adjustable and removable footrest
- Has wheels in the base for easier portability
- Comes in a large variety of colours
- ‘World’s highest high chair’
- Easy to clean
- Removable tray – allows chair to be pushed up to the dinner table for when child is older
- Converts from high chair to toddler seat
- Rated from 4 months to 5 years
- Sleek design with classic colors
- Offers additional features like cushion inserts, silicone tray, and seat cover
- 5 point safety harness
- Eco friendly and BPA free
- 6 different modes – baby mode highchair, traditional highchair, booster, portable booster, toddler chair and play table
- 5 height adjustments
- Foldable and easy to store – tray can store on back legs
- Dishwasher safe tray that also has a cupholder
- Easy to clean with a removable seat pad
- 5 point safety belt
- 3 position seat recline
- Very compact
- Easy wipedown or parts removal for dishwasher safe cleaning
- Lift mechanism to adjust the height
- Boasts a no-crevice design to help with clean-up
- Air Foam cushion for comfort
- Converts to a junior chair
- Five point or three point anti loop harness
- BPA, PVC and DEHP free
FAQs about High Chairs:
High chairs not only help with transitioning a baby from solely milk to solids, but it also helps integrate them into everyday family routine. This is doubly important because “children who eat at a dining table with their parents are more likely to eat healthier foods. A high chair also encourages self-feeding, which promotes independence and confidence in children.” https://www.aussiebaby.com.au/blogs/news/is-a-high-chair-good-for-your-baby. Children who eat meals with the family are also less likely to become fussy eaters.
Do babies need a footrest on a high chair?
As of now, there is no mandate or law that requires a high chair to have a footrest. However, there have been noted benefits to having a high chair with a footrest. Choice.com cites that “[A footrest] is important to support the child’s feet or calves. Adjustable footrests are useful as the child grows.”
Ellie Marks, mum blogger of Simply Mumma, shares that “without a stable base, babies will spend more energy and time getting into a comfortable position. Discomfort will only make them eat less and fuss more.” Aka, the fidgets will happen and the baby won’t be as focused on their food. A footrest also provides more stability for infants to work on their motor skills.
At what age do babies use high chairs?
“It’s time to get a high chair when baby is sitting up on their own and starting solids, which typically happens around 6 months.” Like with most milestones, using a high chair depends on the baby. Once a baby is able to sit up and properly support their head, they can start using a baby feeding chair, or high chair. The exception is the Bloom Fresco High Chair, which lays back to accommodate younger babies, from newborns.
Do you always have to use the safety strap on a high chair?
This is another personal preference, but in order to keep your baby as safe as possible, the safety strap should always be used on a high chair. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission seconds this sentiment, “Always use the harness or restraint system and stop your baby from standing or trying to climb out of or into the high chair.” Especially as your infant progresses and grows, they’ll try to test their limits. But a high chair is not the place to do so.
How long do babies need high chairs for?
Depending on the high chair, babies could use their chair even into their preschool years. Usually kids are ready for a booster seat closer to the age of three, though “most kids start to squirm out of a high chair and may be ready for something else around 18 to 24 months.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2022/08/09/best-high-chairs/?sh=4f706fc544e8
Summary
What are the best high chairs in Australia? There are so many options, and thankfully, each chair has to meet certain safety standards and guidelines. This means every high chair out there should be safe for your child. Now it comes down to what you hope to gain from a high chair. Do you want extra accessories? Do you want the cheapest? Do you want it to be compact and easily foldable for storage and travel? Do you want it in a certain color?
Answer these questions and you’ll be able to narrow down which high chair best fits your family. And remember, the most exciting part isn’t the chair itself, it’s your child being able to participate in an important family moment.
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