High Chairs
By 6 months of age, most babies will be ready to sit up and enjoy solid food at meal time. As a baby begins to eat solid food (or at the very least mushy food), a proper high chair provide the child with back support to instill good posture and help aid digestion. A well-designed chair will be easy to clean and operate. Construction of the chair will vary by vendor, be sure to check all the measurements before ordering. While some of the more stylish models can be expensive, you should be able to find a safe and functional high chair  for under $100.
In Summary
About.com says that these are the 9 best high chairs:
Things to Consider- Safety First
- Your child should be comfortable and secure while sitting in the chair. Padded seats may provide your child with additional comfort, but remember vinyl can be sticky.
- Find a model with adjustable bars and straps that will allow the seat to accommodate your baby's growth. Babies can be quite active--especially when you are trying to feed them vegetables--the straps should securely fit between the baby's legs as well as around the waist to ensure your baby won't slide out. Shoulder straps, often called a five-point harness, are an added safety feature.
- All chairs should have an upright setting, including the ones that can recline.
- Verify that the chair's legs are stable. Four-legged high chairs are more stable than two-legged styles. Likewise, a chair with a lower center of gravity will help ensure that a high chair won't tip over.
- Always double check with JPMA and the CPSA for recalls and other safety ratings on baby products.
- Trays
- The tray should sit comfortably in front of your baby. The best high chairs have more than one setting for the tray height.
- Make sure that the tray comes off easily, so you can sanitize it in the dishwasher between feedings.
- On the other hand, the tray shouldn't come off so easily that the baby can push it onto the floor, peas, carrots, and all.
- Assembly Required
- Most high chairs require some assembly.
- Save all the packaging of the high chair until you have the chair assembled and have tested the piece. Returns will be much easier if you have all the information handy.
- Baby Trend models are among the simplest to build.
- Extras
- Four-position recliners and rockers are nice, but not necessary.
- Toys may come included, perhaps even attached.
- Height adjustability is important so that you can feed the baby while standing or sitting.
- Wheels (and wheel locks) to move the high chair around easily.
- Foldable chairs are good for storing the chair and for travel.
- Easily cleaned fabrics are key. Vinyl-coated is best.
Major Brands
Also Consider
Several manufactureers, such as Bumbo and BebePOD have designed chairs that, in a pinch, can work as high chairs. - Why should you consider this chair?
- Versatililty-helps to teach your child to sit up and also can serve as a feeding chair.
- Easy to clean material.
- Cute and fun design.
- Reason you could skip this purchase?
- Your child will likely outgrow this item by his/her first birthday.
- No feeding tray.
- If you pass on this temporary purchase you could put an extra $30-$40 in the college fund.
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