High Chair Information

If you have limited space, a booster seat can be a good choice, although experts say your child should be at least one year old to use a booster. Booster seats can strap to a suitable chair and allow your child to eat at the table with you. Reviewers warn that these seats are not specifically covered under safety standards and recommend that you buy a model with a belt.

Hook-on high chairs have frames that mount onto a table. These chairs usually have restraint systems similar to those found on regular high chairs, but many experts don't recommend them at all. ConsumerReports.org says hook-on high chairs pose serious safety threats if they're attached incorrectly or to the wrong type of table. Still, when used correctly, these portable chairs can be a godsend in restaurants, which often have outdated and unsafe high chairs -- or no high chair at all. One particular model, Phil&Teds Me Too (*Est. $50) is recognized by People magazine as the best high chair for travel, and it receives solid comments from those posting to Amazon.com and Target.com.

High chairs tend to be relatively trouble-free compared to most types of baby gear, but there has been one recent recall. In April 2009, Evenflo recalled about 95,000 Majestic High Chairs due to fall and choking hazards resulting from malfunctioning parts. In August of 2009, this recall was expanded to include 90,000 additional units. If you own an Evenflo Majestic High Chair, visit the company's website or call the company toll-free at (800) 233-5921 for a free repair kit.

High chairs are one of the few baby-gear items that are rarely the subject of recalls, but it's always a good idea to check the website of the Consumer Products Safety Commission, especially if you are considering accepting a hand-me-down high chair.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has information on models whose safety it has verified. Product submission is voluntary, and not all seats have been submitted for review.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Nursery Checklist discusses baby gear and safety considerations. A PDF version is also available here.

Heather Corley, the About.com baby-products guide, offers a helpful high chair buyer's guide.

BabyZone.com has an article about finding the best high chair.

BabyCenter.com has an article about high chairs, including a buyer's guide.

TheNewParentsGuide.com also has a high chair buyer's guide.

ConsumerReports.org has a useful (and free) article with tips on how to test a high chair before you buy.

ConsumerReports.org posts a brief but useful article related to restaurant high chairs in a June 2009 blog entry.

ConsumerReports.org also offers an article discussing mid-priced high chairs and features to look for: "Spotlight on: Mid-Priced High Chairs."

Parents.com provides a brief summary, "How to Choose the Best High Chair," which discusses the important questions to ask when selecting a high chair.

Manufacturer websites offer detailed specs and product information:

Dorel Juvenile Group (Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Safety 1st)

Evenflo

Fisher-Price

Graco

Kettler

Kolcraft

Svan (distributed by Scandinavian Child)

Stokke

Peg Perego

Bloom

Calla

Boon

Age Design

Phil&Teds