High-Chairs

Dr. Amanda Graves
Feb 3
2 min read

Setting Up for Success: Choosing a High Chair for Starting Solid Foods

Starting solid foods is an exciting milestone for babies and caregivers. We often think about what foods to offer first, but one of the most important tools for safe and successful feeding is something much simpler… the high chair.

The right high chair does more than hold your baby in place. It helps create good positioning, which supports safe swallowing, comfort, and positive learning experiences with food.

Why Positioning Matters

Babies are still learning how to sit, chew, and manage food in their mouths. If they are slouched, leaning, or dangling, feeding becomes much harder. Good positioning helps your child focus on eating instead of struggling to stay upright.

Here are four key features to look for in a high chair:

1. A Solid, Flat Base

The high chair should be stable and sturdy. Canvas or fabric based chairs can make children feel insecure. A solid base flat base gives your child a steady place to sit. Children should have the opportunity to lean forward and take a bite, rather than being reclined so check that the back of highchair is straight up and down as well.

2. Good Side Supports

Young children need help keeping their trunk upright. High chairs with firm sides or a supportive seat help prevent leaning and slumping. Think about the difference between a car seat design and a restraint based high chair. One provides more support than the other. When a child is centered and stable, they have better control of their head and mouth for eating. So while eventually those restaurant highchairs will be fine, when your little one is still young and learning to sit or crawl, a more supportive chair might be better.

3. Foot Support

This is one of the most overlooked features! A child’s feet should rest flat on a surface, not dangle in the air. A footrest gives them balance and helps them feel grounded. Think about how uncomfortable it is to sit on a tall stool trying to eat a food like a taco or burger, with no place for your feet. Babies feel the same way. Most highchairs don’t have a footrest option, but you can easily stack boxes or books to help if needed.

4. A Low, Well-Fitted Tray

The tray should sit close to your child just above the belly button. If the tray is too high, children raise their shoulders and arms, which makes it harder to bring food to their mouth. A low, snug tray encourages better posture and easier self-feeding.

The Goal: Safe and Happy Mealtimes

You don’t need the fanciest or most expensive high chair. You just need one that supports good alignment: hips at 90 degrees, feet supported, back upright, and arms comfortably resting on the tray.

Choosing the best high chair for your child’s needs can make a big difference in their thier feeding. Better positioning leads to safer swallowing, less frustration, and more enjoyable family meals.