\n<\/p>\n
Selecting baby gear is one of the more overwhelming parts of parenthood. There are so many options available, and friends, family members, online groups and Amazon reviews all pull you in different directions. How do you know what\u2019s best? Let’s start with what feeding therapists look for in high chairs so you can make the best decision for your family.<\/p>\n
Main points:<\/strong><\/p>\n – We want babies and toddlers to be well-supported in their high chair so they are comfortable enough to sit and eat. When babies feet dangle, they’re leaning back, or they can’t see or reach their food well, they’re less likely to stay seated for a meal.<\/p>\n – Choose a high chair that promotes proper positioning – see our favorites below. We especially like high chairs that can be pushed up to the table once the tray is removed so your child is seated similarly to you as they eat.<\/p>\n – Good positioning in a high chair can make a really big difference. In practice, we’ve seen monumental changes in how children eat when we put them in a chair that promotes good posture and stability. You can likely modify your chair to make it more comfortable for your child.<\/p>\n Our favorite high chairs:<\/strong><\/p>\n Read on for why we love these products.<\/p>\n Disclosure: some links below are affiliate links, which means (at no cost to you) we will make a small commission if you click through and make a purchase via Amazon. Check out our entire Amazon store\u00a0<\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. We do not receive sponsorships by companies to promote specific products.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n As a feeding specialist, co-founder Judy Delaware OTR\/L, CLC has a few favorite high chairs, but almost every high chair can be modified to help your baby or toddler be most successful at mealtime. You see, when humans are well-positioned for any activity, we are more likely to stay and endure that activity longer. We really want our babies and toddlers to want to sit in their high chair and participate in eating, not get out right away because they\u2019re uncomfortable or unstable.<\/p>\n Think about it like this \u2013 when you go to a bar at a restaurant, there\u2019s always a place to put your feet. Restaurants know that patrons will sit longer when they\u2019re comfortable. The same concept holds true for your baby, toddler or big kid.<\/p>\n Most high chairs are created to be easy to clean or transport, but they don\u2019t actually promote great postural dynamics. They may support a baby that doesn\u2019t have good independent sitting skills, but they don\u2019t lead to successful positioning long-term.<\/p>\n (Note: before babies start eating any food, they should be sitting with minimal assistance on the floor first, not just propped in a high chair barring any medical or developmental issues. Read more\u00a0<\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n Many of our\u00a0Infant<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Toddler & Kid Course<\/a>\u00a0clients have changed their child\u2019s high chair positioning and have noticed monumental improvement in eating \u2013 it really does matter!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What are our favorite high chairs?<\/strong><\/p>\n As mentioned above, most chairs can be modified for good positioning, but we wanted to share our Feeding Littles-approved chairs so you know that the chair you buy promotes good posture. When evaluating our favorite chairs, I considered positioning, ease of cleaning, adjustability, and general ergonomics.<\/p>\n The following chairs are our absolute favorite high chairs because the foot rest can be brought up to reach most 6 month old\u2019s feet, and the baby can easily lean forward in the (ideal) positive tilt position to reach food. These chairs are also super easy to clean, slide up to the table to avoid needing a booster, and come in multiple colors (bonus)!<\/p>\n Top Picks:<\/strong><\/p>\n The chairs listed below promote generally good sitting dynamics but may need to be modified with a foot rest until baby\u2019s legs are long enough.<\/p>\n Many families love the IKEA\u00a0ANTILOP<\/a>\u00a0high chair because it\u2019s inexpensive (around $23) and easy to clean. However, the seat on this chair is deep so baby is far away from the edge of the tray when their back is supported, and the tray is difficult to maneuver and remove. It\u2019s just too big for many babies if not modified. If you decide to use this chair we recommend adding rolled up towels around your baby (or using one of the\u00a0support pillows<\/a>\u00a0IKEA sells) and using one of the hacks shown below to add a footrest.<\/p>\n Some companies have created ANTILOP accessories that help add stability and comfort to this chair. Check out\u00a0Yeah Baby Goods<\/a>\u00a0for ANTILOP cushions, placemats and footrests.<\/p>\nWhat is good positioning, and why does it matter?<\/h3>\n
Other favorites<\/h4>\n
A word about the IKEA high chair\u2026<\/h3>\n