Is Your Baby Ready for a High Chair? When to Make This Exciting Transition

A helpful guide for deciding when to buy a high chair (and what to look for when purchasing one)

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 30, 2022 References

When can my baby sit in a high chair?

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High Chair Features to Look For

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Best High Chair Brands

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Transitioning Baby to a High Chair

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High Chair Safety

Does your baby seem like they’re longing to sit at the table and eat with you? Maybe you’re considering starting solid foods as your baby grows and develops. If your baby is sitting up on their own and getting more interested in solid foods, then buying them their very own high chair is probably the right step for their age. Read through this article to learn when your baby is ready for a high chair and what kind of features to look for when buying one.

Things You Should Know

Your baby can sit in a high chair when they’re 6 months old and/or sitting up on their own.
When buying a high chair, look for safety features like a crotch post and a safety restraint.
Buy an adjustable high chair that grows with your baby to keep it around long-term.

Section 1 of 5:

When can my baby sit in a high chair?

Babies can sit in high chairs when they’re around 6 months old. Whenever your baby can sit up on their own unattended, that’s when you can transition them to a high chair. This is also a great time to start introducing solid foods into their diet—and a high chair will be especially helpful for this process.^{[1]
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- Most babies start sitting up on their own around 6 months, but every baby is different. Don’t worry if your baby is slightly ahead or slightly behind this timeframe.
- Your baby will typically start using utensils when they’re around 10 to 12 months old. For now, you can spoon-feed them and let them explore their food with their fingers.

Section 2 of 5:

High Chair Features to Look For

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Safety features High chairs are meant to keep your baby safe and secure while they eat. Look for key features like a crotch post, a safety restraint with a 5-point harness, and lockable wheels.^{[2]
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- Some high chairs are foldable. If you’re looking at foldable high chairs, make sure they lock in place to keep your baby secure.
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Functionality While high chairs typically have the same key features, there are some functions that may be different. As you shop for a high chair for your baby, ask yourself questions, like:^{[3]
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- Does it have a removable tray?
- How much space does it take up?
- Is it foldable or portable?
- Can it convert into a booster seat?
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Comfort Your baby will be using their high chair for a while, so it’s important that it’s a soft, comfortable space for them. Look for a padded seat and a foot rest so they can sit comfortably while enjoying their meals.^{[4]
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Adjustable growth features Babies typically use high chairs until they’re around 2 ½ years old—and your baby is going to do a lot of growing in that time! If you don’t want to buy a new high chair every time your baby hits a growth spurt, look for a high chair with adjustable growth features so it changes along with your baby.^{[5]
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- Typically, these high chairs allow you to adjust the tray and the seat.
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Cleanliness Kids get messy, especially when they’re first learning how to eat solid foods. Look for a high chair that’s easy to break down and clean (and don’t forget to think about washing the seat, too). Vinyl seats that can be wiped down and removable trays are great for keeping your baby’s chair clean.^{[6]
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Safety certification A safety certification tells you that this high chair meets the safety standards set by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JMPA). Safety standards tests are done by ASTM International, so look for their certification sticker on any new high chair that you buy.^{[7]
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- Most experts recommend buying a high chair new, not second-hand. While it can be a little more pricey, it’s worth it to know that your high chair is brand new without any safety issues.
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Return policy Your high chair might not be right for your baby, and that’s okay. If you think you may need to return your high chair and get a new one, look for a company that offers a return policy so you can get your money back if needed.^{[8]
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Section 3 of 5:

Best High Chair Brands

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4Moms 4Moms sells a range of high chairs in different styles, colors, and price ranges. These reputable high chairs have been around for decades, and they’re often the top seller when it comes to safety and ease of use.^{[9]
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Ingenuity The Ingenuity 3 in 1 high chair is a high chair that grows with your child. Not only is it adjustable, but it’s also a booster seat and a toddler chair. This high chair has all the safety features to make it great for your baby, and you can use it for years to come.^{[10]
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IKEA In a surprising twist, IKEA actually sells a great, inexpensive high chair option. Their Antilop High Chair has all the safety features needed to keep baby safe, and the minimalistic design is perfect for any space. Plus, this high chair is a great budget option.^{[11]
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Section 4 of 5:

Transitioning Baby to a High Chair

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Try 1 to 2 spoonfuls of solid food at a time. When you first start out using a high chair and giving your baby real food, they might need some time to adjust. Start out by putting them in their high chair for a couple of minutes at a time, and give them a couple of spoonfuls. If your baby gets cranky or fussy, take them out of the high chair and hold them. Gradually increase the amount of time they spend eating in the high chair so it becomes more of a routine.^{[12]
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Position the high chair so baby can see your face. Babies love looking at your face, especially if they’re feeling nervous or anxious about their situation.^{[13]
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Research source} When you set up the high chair, make sure your baby can keep an eye on you. It will help them feel more secure, and it lets them know that you’re right there in case anything happens.

Section 5 of 5:

High Chair Safety

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Use the safety features in the high chair. Whenever your baby sits in their high chair, buckle them in using the safety harness. This will keep them safe and secure so they stay seated upright the entire time.^{[14]
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- Most high chairs come with lap trays, but that’s usually not enough to keep your baby secure. It’s always better to use the safety buckles, just to be safe.
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Stay near the high chair at all times. Although your baby is buckled in, kids can get squirmy! Try to stay no more than an arm’s length away from the high chair so you can help your baby if the high chair starts to tip or fall.^{[15]
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- It’s especially important to stay near your baby when they first start eating solids.
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Place the high chair away from tables or counters. Babies love to kick, and their feet can catch on tables or countertops at hip-height. If they kick hard enough, they could potentially knock themselves over—so keep the high chair out in the open where this can’t happen.^{[16]
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Check online for high chair recalls. Safety recalls do happen, and occasionally, high chairs are deemed unsafe. If you ever see your high chair being recalled, don’t let your baby use it until the company either fixes the issue or refunds your money.^{[17]
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- To search online for high chair recalls, visit Recalls.gov.