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MumKim
MumKim | June 2007

what do I look for in a highchair

Natalya is nearly 6 months old so it is time to look for a highchair.
What features should I be looking for in a highchair?
I saw the Hauck Alpha III at a shopping centre a few months ago. Has anyone got this chair? How well does it work for you?

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momma
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | momma
Re: what do I look for in a highchair

We have a regular old style wooden high chair which I loved for it's simplicity.  I don't like the big huge ones, they take up so much space.  But now that we're on our 2nd child I would have just skipped the traditional high chair all together.  I got sick of going to family or friends houses and trying to feed the kids on our laps, it was so hard.  We got a travel high chair that folds up a bit and it also straps onto your kitchen chairs.  Plus the seat belt keeps them snug and they can't wiggle out.  We've got the fisher price brand.  They are also cheaper.  Mine was about $50 Canadian.  I LOVE it, it takes up so little room and when we need to go somewhere we just un-snap it and go.  This is one of my big tips for people expecting a baby.  One of my best and most practical baby purchases.



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Jessgore
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | Jessgore
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Fisherprice high chair....

This is the one I have, and I love it.. So easy to clean.. Dish washer safe, and the seat cover goes in the washing machine... Also yes it comes with bells and whistles... I just love the toy that comes with it, plays music makes noise,  and it comes off for easy eating...  :)   My son is always climbing up into his chair at times.. I almost got rid of it for awhile.. But he started wanting to sit in it again to watch me cook, and while I cook he plays with his toys on the tray,  or he plays with the toy it came with.. :)


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llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
I agree with Deb - go for a good sturdy no frills one.  Height adjustable, that way you can use it at the dining table, coffee table, outside with your furniture there for a bbq etc. 

I was given one that had all the whistles and bells - well it is hard to clean, and the cushioning bit has a tear in it, and has become a bit whiffy from being wet.  In fact, I am going to rip that whole bit off and leave it as just the plastic.  It is easy enough to sit a little towel there for comfort etc.

Personally, if I had the choice, I would have skipped the high chair (which we usually only use outside anyway), and got a good booster seat.  We go out for dinner at friends and our families so often that it would have been far more practical.  Luckily a friend gave me an old kapoochi carrier, and it was one that you could actually strap into a normal chair, so that was sufficient for a month or so, until Jay became stable enough to sit at the table alone.


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bellachell
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | bellachell
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Hi there I wrote an article on highchairs (what to look for and safety features) I don't know how to add the link but if you go to advice and look up Highchair Safety it should be there.


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Here is the link to bellachell's advice on highchairs...

www.minti.com/parenting-advice/3614/Highchair-Safety/


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           bellachell
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | bellachell
Re: what do I look for in a highchair

Thanks a lot for putting the link in. I had no idea :)

 



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Ngairi
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | Ngairi
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
I must admit that when the boys were in high chairs, I used my old ones from mums and my grandmothers. Simple design, easy to clean, had the straps that clicked in under the tray to stop them falling and that was about it. They are only in there for a feed usually, so you don't need anything exotic. So the things to look for:- simple design, easy clean, safety straps to avoid slipping out, and a lock down tray. The boys went through many bruised fingers from lifting the tray and smacking back down and hurting their fingers. I learnt to tie it up by number 3 with zip ties. Hope this helps you. Leisa


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emily123
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | emily123
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Hi we live in Canada and we bought one made by baby trend.. It is awesome, it is height adjusted as well as it tilts back 3 different postions. the nice thing about this feature is when she was 4 weeks old and eating pablum she could sit in the high chair as tiltled far enough back for  her.. It also has 2 other awesome features one is between the legs there is this piece of plastic screwed on to prevent them from falling out. Which is great her legs just go on each side of it.. You can remove it if you wish however i love it bc sometimes she pushes her self downwards but i do not have to worry about her slipping threw the bottom. Also the straps to tie her in are great not only do they buckle around her legs but as well as her shoulders so she can not stand up and fall out.. Like i said I love this highchair!! Good luck!! 


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      MummaBear
4.33 (Good) | June 2007 | MummaBear
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Sounds like the one I had for Hannah.  She was in it from birth, I would strap her in and tilt it right back with a blanket lining it and she could be right next to me at bench level while I did the dishes or cooked a meal for myself or was folding clothing on the table.  It meant she was right near me and she didn't have to be held either.


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           MumKim
June 2007 | MumKim
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Didn't have to be held.In my dreams.I am holding her now while she sleeps.Had to hold her all night. Slept half sitting up with her accross me. Looking at making a sling she can sleep in so I can get stuff done during the day.


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madchanny
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | madchanny
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
I never bought one for Koen, sort of regretted it though but im now getting a booster for the kitchen setting... he likes to sit up at the table :)
i would recommend you get a highchair with an adjustable height, so you can feed your little one in all sorts of places which will make things easier for you whether you are sitting on the floor or standing up :)
hope this helps you decide :)
xx


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blackwidowkate
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | blackwidowkate
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Hi
One bit of advice
Get a simple no frills high chair that can be taken apart or hosed easily.
Forget all the new beaut features.  The mother in law brought us a u beaut top of the line mercedes version...had all the bells and whistles and even won awards. 
Not sure who voted cause it sure wasn't mums of reflux or colicky babies.
It has been the biggest nightmare for cleaning and keeping clean and hygenic
With my teenagers I had a cheap $69 kmart one that i picked up at a op shop with no fancy bits and it was the best.  No creases no nothing for chuck to hide in.
A plastic booster seat works better.  It is a little chair for them that straps onto your dining chairs.  It is easily hoseable and transportable. Makes a cute seat for watching tv too

Our you beaut one looked fantastic when we got it....now it looks worn, washed and ragged.  It is only 8 months old It looks about 20 years.  They don't stand up to being pulled apart and washed every day...sometimes 3 times a day
Luv Deb


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MummaBear
4.67 (Excellent) | June 2007 | MummaBear
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
I got a really good one for mine when she was first born.  It's height adjustable so she could either sit at the table with us or I could sit her in it in the lounge room to have family time with her at the lounge chair level.  It's got a really wide seat and a wide base on it to stop it from tipping.  It's adjustable as in it has 3 positions, laying right back, sitting up but on an angle back, and sitting upright.  Really good for when they're just starting foods but can't sit properly yet, and grows with them to sit up stage.  It could be adjusted to sit lower and I took the tray off, pushed her in at the table and she ate with me at the table from about 9 months.  Unless we had people for tea of course.  I would recommend one of that design (can't tell you the brand but baby shops everywhere have them)


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jd2
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | jd2
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Hello look for a strong satble one these flimsy things have been known to tip and if you see one with parent tray on the side so yo can put their food down whilst you answer phone etc there great when the hands get in the dish the mess oh my...I also have a spare harness for mine as mackennzies getting more active i need him strapped in and they get mucky so a spare is handy look into ordering one better safe than sorry jo xxx


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dinsdale
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | dinsdale
Re: what do I look for in a highchair
Hi,
Yes I would start to look now. My daughter was in a high chair from about 6 months. Tracey


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