What to look for when buying a high chair
Starting solids is exciting, messy, and let’s be honest, a little chaotic. One minute your baby is happily trying mashed kūmara, the next there’s food on the wall and a spoon sailing across the room. That’s why finding the best highchair NZ families can rely on is such an important investment.
Most babies are ready to start using a highchair somewhere around 4-6 months, once they can sit upright with support and have good head control. And when mealtimes become part of your daily routine, the right highchair can make a huge difference.
Awkward straps and hard-to-reach corners are highchair no-no’s that add more steps onto your never-ending list of cleaning tasks. So, we took all of that into account when we created this highchair buying guide NZ parents can use to shortlist the best options on the market.
When you’re comparing highchairs, keep these five things in mind:
- High Chair Safety
- Functionality & Adjustability
- Cleanability
- Comfort
- Style
Highchair Safety Features
A typical type of injury related with high chairs happens when your little one attempts to stand up in, climb into, or get out of their high chair, resulting in a fall. Other injuries can arise from pinching or crushing of little fingers, toes, or limbs by moving parts or gaps, as well as choking on small, detachable parts.
When shopping, look for a high chair that complies with the certified New Zealand safety standards, AS4684, which gives you peace of mind it’s been designed in line with our high national standards, and check that the chair has these safety features:
A well-balanced footprint. You want to ensure that, even when baby gets bigger and more boisterous, he won’t be able to tip the chair over.
A size-adjustable, five-point safety harness that clicks together easily and can only be opened by ‘adult-strength’. Ideally, the harness should be non-removable, or at least require a tool to remove it for washing (such as undoing a screw), so that you or your child are unlikely to take it off and lose it, or forget to reattach it.
A ‘crotch post’ or T-style strap that goes between baby’s legs so they have no way of sliding out of the chair.
Anti-slip pads, or castor wheels that lock, on the base of the legs to ensure your highchair remains in one spot.
Before purchasing, make sure to check for safety recalls, or better yet, buy from a reputable NZ retailer.
And, when you get home, make sure you set up the chair at least half a metre from anything your little one could use to push off from and topple over – windows, large furniture, pull cords on lights or blinds, and so on.
Highchair Functionality & Adjustability
Growing with your child: your baby will not be little forever; in fact, they grow like little mushrooms! Most babies start using a highchair around 6 months old, but many families use them right through to 2 or 3 years of age. So, bear this in mind when selecting a highchair and find one that allows room for growth. Can the insert be removed to allow more room? Is the tray table adjustable or can it be removed altogether? Can the highchair be used at the dining room table (without the tray)? Is the footrest adjustable? Basically, is there room for growth?
Convertible chairs: some high chairs covert to floor seats or stools to allow for more uses or a longer lifespan. Before you spend the money, ask yourself if this is a feature you really need or want?
Storage and portability: Do you need a foldable highchair that folds down for easy storage? They’ve become very popular for smaller homes and apartments. Or would your home and lifestyle suit a portable multi-seat that can be moved more easily and taken on holiday or to grandma’s house?
Cleanability
Buckle in, mum and dad. When your baby starts on solids, there really is no messier stage! You’ll need a high chair that’s easy to clean because there’ll be spills, splashes and food EVERYWHERE!
With that in mind, cleanability is something you don’t want to overlook. So take it from us, the best highchairs in NZ have:
- A removable tray that can be scrubbed down with hot soapy water.
- A chair where the seat insert and safety straps can be scrubbed clean.
- Fewer ‘nooks and crannies’ where food can be lodged.
- Washable, waterproof surfaces.
If you’re often on the go, it’s also worth picking up feeding bibs or mess mats, which make mealtimes less stressful when out and about.
Comfort
- No one loves a cold, hard seat on their tush, so a highchair with a removable cushion or padded insert is always a good idea. As is, a contoured seat to fit baby’s bum.
- An adjustable footrest provides comfort so bub’s legs are not hanging down without support.
- A high back ensures good back and neck support.
Style
We all want a high chair that looks like part of the furniture, right? Because your chair is likely to be sitting in your dining area or kitchen for a few years, you’ll want something that’s functional, but still looks good.
Neutral, Scandi-inspired styles are very popular in interior design right now; you can’t go wrong with a combination of natural wood and a classic clean white finish. That’s translated through to many of the most popular highchairs in New Zealand, including the best-selling Moose Sinclair and Harper styles.
And remember, as well as the overall aesthetic of the chair, it needs to fit the size of your space too. If you have a small dining area or not a lot of storage space, look for a compact or folding highchair, or even a feeding seat that attaches to a dining room chair.
Highchair Price Guide NZ
Highchairs can vary a lot in price, and when you’re already buying bottles, bibs, prams and everything else that comes with a baby, you might be looking to prioritise what you’re spending.
At the lower end (around $100–$179), you’ll find some great, practical highchairs that are safe, sturdy, and don’t stretch the budget.
Step into the mid-range ($180–$250), and you’ll start seeing extra features that make life more convenient. Things like adjustable footrests, removable trays, folding frames, or finishes that deal better with spaghetti explosions.
Premium highchairs ($250+) are generally made to last multiple children, so they’re more of an investment, but you’re getting what you pay for. They tend to have a stronger construction and many convert from baby to toddler and beyond.
That said, more expensive doesn’t always mean better, it’s all about finding a highchair that fits your priorities. Moose Baby stocks a wide range of highchairs across all price points, so whether you’re after a basic option or something more premium, there’s plenty to choose from.
Finally…
When it comes to investing in a highchair you may not find one within your budget that ticks every single box, so start with ticking the boxes for safety. There should be no compromises there. Because safety is so important, buy your highchair from a reputable local company with good after-sales service.
Lastly, mealtimes are important family times. Initially, dinnertime with a baby can be enormously challenging, but by eating together, babies learn how to interact with others, share and take turns. By allowing baby to touch, smell, taste and play with their food, they’ll learn to develop their fine motor skills, taste buds and ability to feed themselves. Remember, the ‘baby feeding’ stage is just that, a stage. By the time they’re age 10 hopefully they’ll get more food in their mouth, than on the floor!
Highchair Recommendations
FAQ
When should I start using a highchair?
Most babies are ready for a highchair around 4–6 months, when they can hold their head steady and sit with support. Always check the weight and age recommendations for your specific chair.
What safety standard should a highchair meet in NZ?
Look for chairs that comply with AS/NZS ISO 8124-3:2012, which is the certified New Zealand toy and child product safety standard.
What is a five-point harness on a highchair?
A five-point harness has straps at both shoulders, both hips, and between the legs. This means that your baby is kept securely in place and prevents them from climbing out or slipping down.
How do I clean a highchair properly?
Remove the tray and wash it with hot soapy water. Wipe down the seat and straps with a damp cloth. The best highchairs for cleaning will have minimal crevices and waterproof surfaces.
Should I buy a foldable highchair?
If you're short on space or want to take the chair to grandparents' homes or holiday rentals, a foldable highchair is a really good option.
Can a highchair be used without the tray?
Yes, many modern highchairs can be used at the family dining table without the tray, so your baby can be part of family mealtimes as they grow.
