Best highchair for baby-led solids?

Hi there!

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the BLS area or here. I'm trying to find a high chair for my daughter that allows her to sit at the table with us, safely. If it has a tray, I'd prefer that it was removable. I've heard good things about the Stokke, but it's quite expensive, and also, I terrified myself watching a video online in which a baby manages to kick off from their kitchen table and fall backwards in the chair! Needless to say, that put a dampener on my Stokke enthusiasm (though I'd be interested to hear from those that do own one, especially if they haven't had any issues). Apparently Jolly Kidz make a similar chair which is wood, and comes with a tray or without, but teh Choice website rated it quite low in terms of safety. Which is obviously an issue! Does anyone have any recommendations for a safe high chair to use at the table (tray optional), with a five-point harness, which isn't too much of a pain to clean?

I'd really appreciate your help - there's such a dizzying array of equipment to choose from!

Hi there!

we use a Stokke. and have found it to be great, especially when using concepts such as BLS. DD has full access to the table and eats/drinks/plays with us as would anyone sitting in a chair (ITMS!).

there is a warning that comes with the Stokke box that clearly warns parents not to use with tables that have low beams. (ie where the baby can push against with feet - but i guess this would be the same for any highchair without a tray).

the selling points for us were the fact that DD ate at the table with us and also that the chair grows with her and can be used even by adults. also my neighbour still has hers from 30+ years ago. so that basically sold me!

leander also do a similar design and also, many many friends have rated highly the ikea chair.

Ah, so there is a warning! Perhaps I judged too soon..

Thanks so much for this! I also love the idea of baby eating at the table with us, rather than sort of...caged off by her tray. I didn't realise that ikea also offered a similar option. Thanks again!

BLS doesn't require much outlay ;)
I bought one of those colonial wodden ones with removable tray from the op-shop - can sit it right into our table. Or else, just lay a plastic tablecloth (or if you need to spend money then Mothers Direct has a feeding mat for sale) on one of your normal chairs and get one of those portable booster seats with inbuilt harness from Kmart. We had one of these that we used for OS travel, as well as at home for sitting right up to the table :)
There's lots of ways to part with your money, and I'd save money on chairs to spend on other things!

I recently bought a Fisher Price portable high chair for Juliette, got it for $20 off ebay & it's perfect. It straps onto a regular dining chair & is quite safe, there are also three heights for as they get bigger. It has a table for if we take it out & about, we're planning on camping later in the year & this will mean she can eat at a table still.

We have a first year chair that attaches to a dining chair & its great