What do I need to look for in a good high chair

[HollyC]

I am also a fan of the ikea antilop. The only thing is that they can't really use it until they can sit by themselves because they don't recline like some highchairs. DD was 8 months before she could sit. They are easy to clean and seem really comfy. DD will sit in hers for ages. Also cheap.

We also have one of those booster seats that strap onto a normal chair. It lives in the car and we use it at cafes, restaurants, friends houses etc. DD loves it and can sit right at the table with us and be sociable. I have seen one of these at toys r us that reclines, so one of those and an Ikea one could be a great combination.

[Jitterbug]

IKEA highchair here too!

[Eluned]

Another IKEA highchair fan here too! It is brilliant. So easy to clean, food doesn't get stuck anywhere and I like that the tray is a good height. Some highchairs I've seen the poor baby barely be able to look over the tray, whereas the IKEA highchair tray sits at just the right height. Plus, if you remove the tray the chair sits nice and close at the table. Best of all it was only around $35!

[Mezzz]

I think I'm the only person that didnt like the Ikea chair! I had one but it just didnt feel secure enough for my jumpy little boy I felt like I always had to be right next to him or he would jump out, I gave it to my mum to use at her house and bought a new one I think its Steelcraft? Its on wheels which I love as he can sit in it and if I need to do dishes etc I can pull him right next to me, it reclines back although I have never used this you can adjust the legs so its a low chair which I use sometimes and it has 2 trays one that clips on the other which makes washing easier. Its leather or leather look which makes it quite easy to clean. Not as easy as the Ikea ones mind you but I dont find it too much of a pain to clean. My boy is now a big 2 year old and still happily and comfotably sits in it.

[tenar]

I like the Ikea chair too, my parents have it, but:

- my niece was able to wiggle one leg out pretty easily at one point (not sure what age). It wouldn't be one you could ever walk far away from.

- my MCHN pointed out that it only has a 3-point harness and that the way the straps dangle at the back make it possible for a child on the floor to get tangled up in them. She knew of a boy who had done so and nearly strangled.

So, if you get it, make sure you tie the straps up at the back so they aren't a hazard (this would go for any similar chair). And if you have a real escaper for a baby you'll need to watch them closely (but I think that would go for many chairs, including the one I bought too).

We have one that is like the Ikea one, but not identical. I think it's an Inglesina, got it from Baby Bunting on special for $99. It's got an orange cushion, which is basically why I got it: my DH loves that colour. You can now get a cushion for the ikea one, too. One good thing about the Inglesina one is that the legs come off and the chair part stands alone, so you can use it as a chair on the floor (and ok, I'll admit it, I used it on a table when DD was smaller, not moving away, mind you). I put DD in it, for very short periods of time, from about 3.5 months, as she was wanting to be sitting up, propped, to see what was going on.