Consumer Reports: High Chairs By Brooke Yan

You want a stable, sturdy model that can cope with stroke, kicking, and cleaning at least a year (some babies can not bear to sit in a high chair after that). A chair with a tray that can be released with one hand is an advantage. Picture your baby occupying your other arm while you're opening and closing the tray, is just one of the many physical feats you'll be asked to master as a father.

A high chair usually consists of a frame of molded plastic or metal tubes and a seat attached to a belt and a footrest. There are still a few old wooden high chairs around with a removable tray or arms that lift the tray over the head of a baby, although not always as comfortable for babies as the modern model on the market adjusted Now, most of them are not certified as meeting the latest safety standards. You'll also find some hybrid drives, which can double as a swing or become other types of fishing gear, such as a chair for an older child or a board game.

SHOPPING SECRETS

Look for a chair that has a waist and a strap that runs between the legs. If using a tray, there should be a passive restraint such as a crotch post, along with the harness straps. A high chair as a car seat or stroller, is one of those shake-rattle-and-roll buying experiences. We suggest visiting the baby store near you with the widest selection. Then do this:

Open and close the fastener on the seat's safety harness (try it with one hand) to make sure it is easy to use. If not, you might be tempted not to use every time your child is in the seat, although it is imperative.

Adjust the seat height to see how well that mechanism works. Some seats come with the maximum number of seven heights. You may only use one or two, but one can not know with certainty at this time.

Evaluate the seat cover. Look for a chair with upholstery made to last. It should feel important, not flimsy. Make sure the seams do not trim your baby's legs zero.

Make sure the wheels can be locked (if you're buying a model with wheels) or that become immobilized when there is weight (like a baby) in the seat.

Care with rough edges. Examine the bottom of the tray of food to ensure it is free of anything sharp that could scratch your baby. Also for small holes or hinges that could capture little fingers.

To verify the absence of small parts. Make sure the caps or plugs that cover the ends of metal tubes are well insured. Parts small enough for a child swallows or inhales a choking hazard. Sometimes when you know them. If you're bending your high chair as often as every day, the practice of the shop. Some chairs that claim to be foldable can have stiff folding mechanisms. Technically, they may be foldable, but are not easy to use.

What's available

Major brands of high chairs include, in alphabetical order: Baby Trend, Chicco USA, Dorel Juvenile Group (Cosco), Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco, J. Mason, Kolcraft, Peg Perego, and Scandinavian Child. There are three price ranges in general:

Basic Tronas

Tronas at this end of the price range (under $ 70) is simple, compact, and generally work quite well. Essentially plastic seats on plastic or steel tube legs, these models may or may not have the tray and adjust in height and tend to lack the bells and whistles, such as wheels, foldability storage tray with a Hand removal, or the ability to recline, you can not use anyway unless you are bottle feeding. The upholstery of the seat is usually a simple vinyl or plastic covers, and the pad may be removable and washable. The tray is typically kept in place with pins that fit into holes in the tube.

Advantages: For the money, a basic high chair can serve you and your baby too. But it is worth comparing, as some brands may be more suitable to their needs than others.

Cons: Watch for chairs in this price range with grooves in the seat of molded plastic (a trap Gunk), cotton pads instead of vinyl seats, which tend to sustain and eventually, with buttons and trays side that are accessible to your baby. Some parents report that their babies can remove these trays - food and all - from 9 months old.

Midpriced Tronas

In this price range ($ 70 to $ 150), you'll find many of the features of higher-end chairs, which includes a wide variety of tray and a chair height positions; wheels for mobility, with a blocking for the safety of parking, a reclining seat for infant, a hand removable tray; foldability for storage, and a three-or five-point harness plus a passive restraint when used with the tray. Most have cushioned, vinyl seat pads that can be removed for washing, but you also see models with cloth covers in this price range that are a challenge to keep clean. Frames and seats are usually molded, rigid plastic or steel.

Pros: This price range generally offers chairs with more usable resistant features, although, depending on the model, the price is not always aligned with quality.

Cons: Some models are bulky and can eat up space in a small kitchen, although a large footprint provides greater stability. Just be careful not to trip on the protruding legs.

High-end high chairs

In this price range ($ 150 and up), you'll find European imports and traditional solid-wood high chairs. Chairs at this end of the market tend to have thick, tubular frames topped by densely padded seats upholstered in vinyl. As a result, may have a more solid feel and cushier digs for baby. Some models come with a plug of tissue that covers are removable for laundering. These chairs can be adjusted to different heights and reclining positions with a simple press release mechanism. Some have dubbed "A" in the form of tables that are easy to store.

Pros: You will be extras, such as seven height positions instead of five, and often of better quality, it is important to consider if you want the president to last through another baby or more. Another bonus: Many parents report that companies that sell high-end chairs tend to have customer service, which helps if you have a problem.

Cons: Chairs in this range can be bulky, since they tend to have a broader base for stability. That's good because it reduces the risk of overturning. However, you need more space to accommodate the footprint, which tends to be more like a baby swing.

FEATURES TO CONSIDER

Crotch post. To help prevent a baby from slipping under the tray and getting his head caught, high chairs now typically have a center crotch post attached to the tray or the seat. Not intended to replace the belt, however. A center post that attaches to the chair instead of the tray is better because it lets you push your child to the table without the tray, but still have that center-post support.

Foldability. Sometimes, high chairs for storage. If that is important to you, make sure there is a secure locking system to prevent folding while your child is in the chair or being put into it. The system should automatically when you open the chair.

Seat belt. As mentioned, this is an important feature. When buying a high chair, examine the restraining straps to ensure that the belt has a buckle that can not be covered unless the crotch strap is also used. Seat belts must have your baby in place, no room for climbing or standing outside. Some high chairs offer an adjustable three-point harness - two adjustable shoulder straps and a lock between the legs of the child - or an adjustable five-point harness - two straps at the shoulders, two for the thighs, and a crotch strap, which is ideal.

Seat adjustment. Seats can move up or down to up to seven height positions on some chairs. They may also recline (in case your baby falls asleep after eating). However, except for bottle feeding, do not use a seat in reclining position while feeding her baby - which is a choking hazard. With a height adjustment of chair, the seat slides along the chair frame, locking into various positions. Height options range from almost ground level at the high chair, with the average height low enough to allow the seat (with the tray removed) to be pushed up to a dining table.

Toys. Some high chairs have toys that attach to the tray, an option that your baby can enjoy, although you can certainly buy toys separately that fasten to the high chair tray. But not when the chains attaching them.

Tray. In general, you want a lightweight tray you can take with one hand or that swings to the side when not in use. Certain designs help contain spills: a tray that surrounds baby on all sides, a corner of the tray to the liquid outside of baby feeds, or a high rim around the tray. Some chairs have two trays: a big tray with a large margin for food and a little more for tea or play. Do not be attracted by a statement that the tray is "dishwasher" - most trays are too large to fit in a dishwasher.

Upholstery. Many models have seat coverings - or groups around the seat - that emerged to facilitate cleaning. Make sure fasteners will not cause breakage of the upholstery as you leave the seat or covered. Opting for a post with a pattern instead of a solid color, the patterns are better at concealing spills. Some seem to cloth covers are actually vinyl, which is easier to spot clean cloth.

Wheels. Wheels may make it easier to move around the high chair, which is important if you often haul since his high chair, for example, the kitchen to the dining room. Moreover, the wheels can also be a nuisance, since it can allow the chair to move as you're trying to pull a tray, or as you put your baby in Older children may be tempted to take the baby to a Joyride when you turn your back. Wheels on some models that the president seems less stable. If you decide on a wheeled model, look for locks on the wheels, preferably four. Some models come with locking wheels. Still others have only two wheels and stay in place unless the tilt in the wheels rolling around.

RECOMMENDATIONS

There are advantages and disadvantages of each price range of the chair. All can be difficult to clean because, let's face it, baby food has a way of going into all possible corners (and most of them have some seats). High-end models offer flexible positioning, extra-thick seat padding, and attractive upholstery.

Mid-price models generally represent the best value. And, like high-end models, which often have an easy to remove the tray, a sturdy seat belt, a tip-resistant, and a crotch post. But even some chairs can compete with higher-end models in terms of security and other features. No matter what your budget, buy a chair of recent production that certification in order to ensure that it meets current voluntary safety standard.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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