It has no fabric (unless you spring for the optional support pillow, which has an also-optional stain-resistant cover). Some are designed to grow with children as they progress from bottle-feeding to enjoying meals around the table, while others are better suited for infants and younger babies. Unlike the IKEA Antilop and the vast majority of other high chairs, the Tripp Trapp is a piece of furniture you might keep forever: With its dozen configurations, it can grow from a first high chair for a 6-month-old to a toddler seat to a chair appropriate for most teens and even adults. If you like the design of the Stokke Tripp Trapp but want a slightly less expensive option: The Stokke Steps chair is worth considering. The Chicco Caddy Portable Hook-On Chair uses the same clamp system as the Lobster chair, but the material is tougher to clean.

The seat fabric is machine washable, but removing it to throw in the wash all the time isn’t ideal because of all the straps you have to undo. Simple but versatile: It can adjust to three heights, which is helpful when you’re using it as a booster seat, since some kids need a higher boost to reach the table than others. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. The removable tray has a raised edge to minimize messes and keep babies from pushing their food onto the floor.The streamlined chair is more than just good looks—it’s also almost effortless to keep clean thanks to the smooth, crevice-free surface. Although it’s small, it still boasts features that provide maximum comfort, like a high backrest and padded seat. Kim Grenawitzke, an occupational therapist with Solid Starts, a resource for introducing solid foods to babies, explains, “If you want to let your baby feed themselves, look for a high chair with a completely upright seat, adjustable footrest, and removable tray so that baby can join you at the table. A comfortable chair will also allow a child to have their hips, knees, and ankles at a 90-degree angle.

But it also felt a little cheaper: The tray was tough to lock in, and the wheels had it sliding around the floor, even when they were locked. Compared to other stand-alone models, this high chair is designed to be secured to a standard dining chair, minimizing the amount of space it’ll take up in a kitchen or dining room. Where development comes into play Self Confidence: High chairs help babies build confidence as they learn to feed themselves and participate in mealtime. The safety harness converts between a five-point harness and a three-point harness to match the needs of each child and seating position. She’s also a mom of two and has a decade of experience writing about parenting, purchasing, and psychology.

It has eight different modes (infant chair, toddler chair, stool, booster and more), a three-level adjustable footrest, a water-repellent and machine washable cushion, tool-free setup and a contemporary design. Works for a range of ages: The Tripp Trapp was extremely comfortable for Erica’s 7-month-old, and it was even better for her preschooler, who could climb into it herself. But without a tray, all of the mess ends up on the tabletop, so a placemat is key (we like the Summer Infant Tiny Diner placemat).

If you’re planning on doing baby-led weaning (a way of introducing solids that skips over purées and spoon-feeding and focuses instead on self-feeding and finger foods), you’ll want to pay extra attention to the ergonomics of the high chair you choose and the proper positioning of your baby while eating.Delaware notes that “Some readiness signals might include full head control, and the ability for the baby to sit on their own with some degree of strength and stability with ability and willingness to bring their hands and objects to their own mouths. Some high chairs may only be tested to support up to 30 pounds, while others are designed to accommodate larger children or even adults weighing 200 pounds or more. Both the seat and the footrest slide up and down in seconds with the squeeze of a button, a feature we love as it assures your little one is in a safe and ergonomic position for eating. I’m due in 3 weeks with my first child, so I don’t know these products from experience yet, but soon will. Compatible with more tables: The Lobster chair works just like any other clip-on chair: The arms slot onto a table, and then you use a tension rod to screw the clamps into place.