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While there is no escaping raising a baby without a hefty price tag, there may be some essentials that you can do without. Is a high chair one of those things? If you’ve ever asked yourself whether or not do I need a high chair, then you’ve come to the right place.
During the first few months of being a new parent, you may feel a little overwhelmed with the number of things that are needed to look after your new baby. From prams and buggies to cots and car seats, not to mention the thousands of nappies and various bottles—it all seems endless!
In this article, we are going to talk about high chairs and what they can offer. By looking at the benefits that come with using them, we will be able to determine whether it is indeed something that no parent can live without.
High Chairs and Their Safety Features
High chairs are recommended by many parents (and their parents too) for the level of safety and convenience that they offer. This is because they have been designed specifically for feeding time, and therefore will keep your child in place whenever they eat.
With their sturdy backrest and seat-belted chair, your baby is in safe hands every time they sit in their high chair. Parents can then relax a bit, knowing that once their baby is strapped in, they are out of danger and can’t escape! This allows them to feed their child easily, without them struggling away. Although this sometimes can’t be avoided!
Therefore, in terms of safety, a high chair is a popular addition to any new parent’s home and a great option for any baby. Nonetheless, is buying one really a necessity? What other benefits do high chairs offer?
Five Advantages of High Chairs
- Greatly supports young babies
- Perfect for everyday feeding
- Comfortable and padded
- Include belt straps and harnesses
- Makes feeding easier
When High Chairs Might Not Be a Viable Option
There may be times when a high chair just doesn’t feel like the best thing to buy. If you are on a budget, for example, or perhaps you don’t have more than one wage coming in, then purchasing a high chair might just not be a possibility. Similarly, many high chairs will take up a section of a kitchen, which means for those living in smaller homes, this might take up too much valuable space.
Other parents simply don’t like the idea of investing in a plastic product that will only be used for a small amount of time, and so, they don’t see the point of getting one altogether. This is where parents may decide to look at other alternatives.
High Chair Alternatives
If you really don’t want to purchase a high chair, then other options exist to help you and your baby out. What are the alternatives out there that can be just as good as a high chair if not better? We take a look at some ideas below!
Booster Seats
Booster seats are probably the most common alternative to a high chair. In fact, many parents prefer them over high chairs for their convenience and ease of storage.
There are many variations of the booster seat, some which can be attached to a table chair for eating and includes a tray for them to eat from. Then, there are boosters that can be used when traveling in the car.
Booster seats can be a great alternative if you don’t want to buy an expensive high chair. Like a high chair, booster seats can still allow your baby to sit at the table safely!
Hook-On Chairs
Another convenient alternative is a hook-on chair. Unlike booster seats, which are added to a chair, this item can be directly attached to the table itself and grips well to ensure complete safety.
What’s more, hook-on chairs even include a small tray, which will keep the tabletop safe from any spills while your baby eats!
For Those Who Still Want One…
Perhaps you still want a high chair, but you have some factors you need to address first? Maybe in terms of price, space, or their overall design? Well, here are some considerations to think about:
If You’re on a Budget
If you don’t want to purchase a brand-new high chair, why not look for one second-hand?
As high chairs aren’t used for a long time during a baby’s growth, many parents are likely to get rid of them and offer them up for charity. You will be able to find many high chairs at thrift stores, as well as online.
If You Lack Space
Perhaps you don’t have a lot of space? Did you know that there are many folding high chairs available on the market?
These may be a more suitable option for those with less space to dedicate to a traditional high chair. At the same time, a foldable high chair can be stored away and kept out of sight, only to be brought out when required!
For Those Avoiding Plastic Purchases
One thing that many parents don’t like about high chairs is their plastic design. This is because they can sometimes be toxic, especially if you are trying to raise a green baby!
The good news is that there are also high chairs that are crafted from wood. These are recommended over plastic as they are non-toxic and eco-friendly and can be a great option for your baby to enjoy.
Do I Need a High Chair?
Do I need a high chair? Even though high chairs are highly recommended for your baby’s early years, as you can hopefully see from this article, they aren’t exactly necessary when there are such good alternatives on the market.
The decision to purchase a high chair is completely up to you. Of course, that depends on your individual situation. As long as you feel your baby is safe during their feeding time, then that is all that matters.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this article has given you a bit more information on high chairs, as well as the various other options out there that can be used as alternatives. So, what do you think? Will you get your baby a high chair or not?