Look over the seat pads or cushion. Stains or fading patterns are fine, but look out for holes where a nimble-fingered baby might pull out foam, as it can be a choking hazard. Travelling - If you're wanting to be able to take yours away with you when you travel, you might want to opt for a portable highchair that can be folded down for travelling purposes. Safety tips when using a highchair Weight: If you struggle to lift heavy things or want to move your highchair from room to room, it might be a good idea to get a lightweight chair or one with wheels. You’re probably best to get a high chair just before your baby starts showing these signs, so you’re ready to go with puréed fruit as soon as they’re ready. Many high chairs are designed for babies who can support themselves, although a handful can be used as reclining seats for younger babies until they’re ready for weaning. What types of high chairs are there? I’d recommend this to someone who is willing to invest in the Silver Cross brand for a practical product that will be the only highchair they’ll need.'

It’s straightforward to assemble without the need for tools, and easily transforms into a booster or pre-schooler chair by unclipping or clipping-in the extendable legs and removing the detachable try. There’s a recline option, too, which means it can be used by babies from as young as three months, when they start to show an interest in wanting to sit upright and join you at the table, but can’t quite support themselves.

What age is a baby ready to use a highchair?

The Buffet’s five adjustable height positions will suit any table, and the highchair offers three calf-rest positions to support your baby as they grow. As your baby grows, their needs will start to change, but worry not, the Buffet caters for all of that (excuse the pun) up until around three years of age (or 15kg). Available in grey or pink, the Silver Cross Buffet Highchair looks luxurious, with a plush padded seat cover and simple, minimalist legs. It’s also practical, with rear rollers making it easy to move around and a one-second fold for minimal fuss. Silver Cross’s Buffet high chair might be a touch on the pricey side, but since it will see your little one through from a newborn to a toddler, it’s actually rather good value.

For years, the iconic Stokke Tripp Trapp won over the hearts of countless families who wanted a chair that would grow with their child, but now the brand has outdone itself with the Nomi – a high chair that can be used from birth right up to adulthood. While the fundamentals of both chairs are similar, the Nomi feels more streamlined, provides better support, and – in our tester’s opinion – has a more comfortable seat, making it the superior option. So you’ve chosen a high chair, now what? Regardless of whether you’re spoon-feeding your baby or going down the path of baby-led weaning, there are a couple of essentials you’ll need. These include bowls, spoons, a cup and bibs. It helps to have at least two of each so one can be washed while the other is being used. There are dozens of options to choose from, but we recommend a pair of plastic, bamboo, or silicone bowls; a plate with compartments; a pair of training spoons; a sippy cup; a pair of bibs with a catch tray (also typically made of silicone); and a pair of wearable bibs for when you’re ready to let them get messy. You could also opt for a weaning mat, which sits underneath the high chair to catch all the falling food to make cleaning up that little bit easier. Following six months of liquid breakfasts, lunches and dinners, your baby may be ready for weaning. That means it’s time to buy the best high chair you can find.

What comes after a highchair?

You're going to be looking at this piece of baby kit for a few years, so make sure you love it! Think about where you're going to use it too, and how the design will work in that space. For example, a chair with wide legs will be fine if it sits behind the dining table, but if it's in a busy part of the kitchen, you're likely to stub your toes on it. And If you intend to use the highchair between meals for playtime activities like drawing or messy play, opt for one with a large tray or one that can be positioned at the dining table so that your baby has plenty of space to get creative. Tray – our tests found that the bigger the tray, the better. Some trays include a sippy cup holder, while others come with removable tray inserts – making cleaning up much easier. A tray that's adjustable and detachable is a useful feature to look out for, as it will allow your baby plenty of extra space in the high chair as he or she grows. Try not to put your little one in their high chair until their food is completely ready. That way, their stamina and attention span is saved for eating the meal itself. Key specs – Height: 84cm; Weight: 4.5kg; Other: 360-degree chair spin, 2-position adjustable tray, 5-point safety harness; Age: 6 months to 3 years (max weight, 15kg) The 3Sixti2 is available in a range of colourful and engaging prints that might not appeal to all tastes, but will be loved by babies and toddlers. The two-part tray is a great addition, and can be removed for when your little one wants to join you at the table.

With its four-position reclinable seat and seven adjustable height positions, this highchair has been designed to suit a range of different requirements exactly, while detachable trays and removable seat covers make cleaning a painless task.

Babies and toddlers are easily distracted, and the sight of a tempting toy can throw the whole meal off. We tried out the Cool Grey colourway (it’s also available in Candy Pink), which looks super smart and doesn’t show up marks, plus it made a nice addition to our tester’s kitchen. While the chair is slightly on the larger side compared to some on this list, it does fold away neatly for easy storage.