| You may well be confused with the varieties of high | | | | perfect solution for the transition from the high chair to |
| chairs available in the market today. Even something | | | | the table. These portable seats attach to your regular |
| as simple and obvious as buying a high chair may take | | | | dining chair using supplied straps. They work in a similar |
| hours of research. Whenever I make a purchase I | | | | way to a booster seat in your car and allow your |
| usually like to start with the "big picture". I attempt to | | | | baby to sit at the table with the rest of the family. |
| classify or put things into categories or groups in order | | | | They come with a tray so you do not have to use |
| to simplify my choices. However, there are so many | | | | them at the dining table and because they are |
| high chairs on the market and they are so diverse that | | | | lightweight, they can also be used when travelling or |
| I have found it difficult to classify all the types of high | | | | dining out. They are usually made from plastic and do |
| chair available. | | | | not have padding and so they fold down to form a |
| Read on for a brief description of the five main types | | | | box shape for storage and travel. Although, the best |
| of high chair that I have found so far during my | | | | thing about a booster seat is that there is no storage |
| research. These types of high chair are Convertible, | | | | required. You can simply leave it strapped to the chair. |
| Wooden, Multifunctional, Booster and Hook-on. | | | | Being plastic they are easy to wipe down and keep |
| Convertible or Combination High Chairs - These are | | | | clean. |
| high chairs that 'convert' to another function, such as a | | | | They are, however, impractical to use until your baby |
| desk. They are versatile because they can be | | | | can sit on their own without support. They have no |
| converted to several different positions and, as such, | | | | sides for support and young babies can easily tip |
| they are able to accommodate a child from infancy | | | | sideways and take the whole chair with them. Booster |
| even to adulthood. | | | | seats are best used with children who are at least 18 |
| On some, if you remove the detachable top section | | | | months old. Another drawback is that food mess can |
| and place the seat portion of the chair on the floor, | | | | fall directly onto your dining room chair. If your chairs |
| you get a miniature desk and chair set. They can even | | | | are wooden it can be easily cleaned up, but if they |
| be used at the table like a normal chair by removing | | | | have a fabric cushion this can be a problem. |
| the tray and adjusting the seat height. A convertible | | | | Hook-on or Table Seats - These seats are similar to |
| high chair is a great investment that can serve your | | | | booster seats but can be attached to a table by a |
| family for years. | | | | locking system. They are generally fitted with |
| Wooden High Chairs - Wooden high chairs are elegant, | | | | harnesses to restrain children in the correct position in |
| easy to clean and extremely simple to use. They | | | | the seat. They take up no room in storage, and are |
| never go out of style and will last for years. They are | | | | great for travelling or going out for a meal. |
| usually made of quality white wood or oak and often | | | | They cannot be used on all surfaces, as the table |
| have an heirloom quality and can be passed along to | | | | must be stable enough to support the weight of the |
| relatives and friends as needed. They can be | | | | child and the seat. Children up to a certain weight can |
| convertible, designed to prolong their usefulness | | | | only use them, so they are unlikely to be usable by |
| throughout your baby's growth. Some models can | | | | children over the age of three or younger if your child |
| convert to a booster seat and even to an adult high | | | | is bigger. If you are looking at purchasing a hook-on |
| chair. | | | | high chair, check that the hook system will work with |
| Multi-functional High Chairs - These provide plenty of | | | | your dining seat or table. Most dining seats or tables |
| padding and lots of features, such as removable trays, | | | | are fairly standard, but it is better to check before you |
| reclining seats, toddler seats and wheels. Most are | | | | make the purchase. |
| made from plastic and have a height adjustable seat, | | | | In conclusion, while this may not be a comprehensive |
| recline facility and fold for storage, although the thicker | | | | list of the types of high chairs available, it is a good |
| padding means they usually take up more storage | | | | place to start. When purchasing a high chair there are |
| space than a lightweight model. | | | | many other things to consider, such as comfort and |
| If space is tight in your kitchen or dining area, you might | | | | price range. Remember, all types of high chair must be |
| consider a lightweight, folding high chair. These can | | | | used with caution. Never leave your baby |
| easily be compacted down and stored to free up | | | | unsupervised, no matter whether they are in a hook-on |
| space. | | | | high chair, a wooden high chair, or a booster high chair, |
| Booster or travel seats - Booster seats are the | | | | they need to be watched at all times. |