Are you a parent or caregiver with a baby ready to start eating solids?

Have you made the decision to start Baby Led Weaning but are unsure of the right high chair to use? The number of options out there can seem overwhelming. This article will give you the 411 on my dietitian approved, top ten high chair picks that are best for baby led weaning.

What is Baby Led Weaning?

In combination with breastmilk and/or formula, BLW is a method used to introduce infants to solid foods. BLW promotes your baby’s ability to self feed, and eat minimally processed finger foods right from the start (1). My Baby Led Weaning For Beginners blog post may be a helpful resource to read. Your baby must meet the following criteria in order to start eating solids:

Baby must be at least six months of age (adjusted for prematurity if applicable)
Able to sit up on their own, unassisted
Showing signs of interest in food (i.e. reaching for the food on mom or dad’s plate)

Why is it important to have the right high chair for baby-led weaning?

Using the right high chair is of the utmost importance when starting solids, and making sure you safely implement BLW. Having the proper trunk support, safety harness straps, and footrest help reduce the risk of choking.

BLW High Chair Basics: What to consider when making your selection

Trunk support and adjustable foot rest

Some high chairs have a slight recline to them. Tilting baby back while eating increases the risk of choking. The high chairs chosen on this list all promote an upright posture and have an adjustable foot rest option. When baby’s feet are supported at a ninety degree angle, it helps stabilize their core and therefore promotes a safer swallow.

2. Crotch post

A crotch post prevents your baby from sliding down or forward in the high chair, which would compromise your baby’s positioning and put them at risk for choking.

3. Three or Five Point Harness

A three or five point safety harness prevents your little one from standing on or leaning over the high chair, which would put them at risk for falling or tipping over the high chair.

4. Length of Use

Aside from safety concerns, you should think about how long you will be able to use the high chair. Some can accommodate your child from infancy through adulthood and some can only be used through age three.

If you want to use the high chair for subsequent children, is it going to be strong enough to make it through more than one kid? Material wise, wooden high chairs tend to be more durable than plastic.

This is relative to your personal lifestyle, preferences and budget.

5. Easy to Clean

BLW is a messy process, and that is part of the fun! The whole reason for choosing baby led weaning is to have your baby learn from and explore their food using their senses.

That being said, having a high chair that is easy to clean, wipe down and/or throw parts in the dishwasher will make your life that much simpler.

*Never clean your high chair with toxic cleaning chemicals. A sponge with soapy water usually does the trick. Details on how to clean each high chair will be provided below.

6. Size and Weight

Think about how much space you have for the high chair. Some have a large “footprint” while others can either be folded up for storage, or easily be pushed in at the kitchen or dining room table. Again, this all comes down to personal preference and the space you have for the high chair.

Also, some high chairs are much heavier than others. Do you want one that can be transferred from room to room? Perhaps you want a high chair that will be a landmark item that will stay in your dining room.

Best High Chairs for BLW: Top 10 Choices

Stokke Tripp Trapp with Tray and Seat Cushion

Assembly: Requires tools/ screws which are included when purchased
Adjustment settings: has an adjustable seat and foot plate settings
How to Clean: Wipe with a damp cloth
Age Range: Birth through adulthood
Colors available: 10 colors to choose from
Price: $419 on the Stokke website
Weight: 15.4 lbs

2. Stokke Nomi High Chair

Assembly: No tools needed, easy assembly
Adjustment settings: has adjustable height and footrest settings
How to Clean: wipe with a damp cloth
Age Range: 6 months through three years
Colors available: 6 colors to choose from
Price: $319 on the Stokke website
Weight: 7.7 lbs

3. Infans

Assembly: No assembly required
Adjustment: Adjustable footrest, seat height and backrest
How to Clean: Removable tray is dishwasher safe, cushion is waterproof and can be wiped with a clean cloth, seat can be wiped clean
Age Range: 0 to 5 years with maximum weight capacity of 50 lbs
Colors available: 4 colors to choose from on Amazon
Price: $89.99 on Amazon
Weight 20.3 lbs
Can be folded up for storage

4. Stokke Clikk

Assembly: No tools required, all parts click into place
Adjustment settings: Foot rest can be adjusted in two different heights
How to Clean: Wipe surfaces clean, harness is machine washable and tray is dishwasher safe
Age Range: 6 months to 3 years or up to 33 lbs
Colors available: 7 colors to choose from
Price: $199 on Amazon
Weight: 10.9 lbs

5. Boon Grub High Chair

Assembly: No tools needed to assemble, everything snaps into place
Adjustment Settings: Has an adjustable foot rest
How to Clean: All parts are completely dishwasher safe, cushion can be washed in the laundry machine
Age Range: 6 months through 6 years old (up to children weighing 50 lbs)
Colors available: 2 colors available
Price: $149.00 on Amazon
Weight 14.5 lbs
Has a storage hook on the back of the seat to hang bib

6. Keekaroo Height Right High Chair with Tray

Assembly: Requires tools/ screws which are included when purchased
Adjustment Settings: Adjustable foot and seat plates, can be wiped clean
How to Clean: Tray cover is dishwasher safe, wipe the seat clean
Age Range: 6 months through adulthood (250 lbs capacity)
Colors available: 2 colors to choose from if purchasing on Amazon
Price: $199.95 on Amazon
Weight: 14.5 lbs

7. Graco Duo Diner DLX 6 in 1 High Chair

Assembly: No tools needed; Unfold the chair and snap the parts into place
Adjustment Settings: Adjustable footrest, backrest and height
How to Clean: Chair frame can be wiped down with soapy water, seat cover can either be wiped with a damp cloth or on the cold cycle in the washing machine
Age Range: 6 months to 6 years (as a toddler booster seat)
Colors available: 1 color available
Price: $159.87 on Amazon
Weight: 22.7 lbs
Can be folded up for storage

8. The Chair from Lalo

Assembly: Simple assembly, comes with allen key and bolts that need to be used to install crossbar and footrest
Adjustment Settings: Foot rest can be adjusted in two different heights
How to Clean: Seat can be wipes clean, tray can be removed and is top rack dishwasher safe, seat cushion can be washed in the laundry and air dried
Age Range: 6 months through 3 years
Colors available: 5 colors to choose from
Price: $235 on the Lalo website
Weight: 10 lbs

9. IKEA Antilop Chair WITH the Yeah Baby Goods Adjustable Foot Rest

Assembly: Easy assembly, all parts click together
Adjustment Settings: Must purchase an adjustable foot rest separately as this high chair does not come with a foot rest
How to Clean: wipe clean with mild soapy solution and wipe dry with a clean cloth
Age Range: 6 months to 3 years old (maximum weight of 33 lbs)
Colors available: 1 color available
Price: High chair $19.99 on IKEA, Foot rest $30.00 on Amazon
Weight 7.9 lbs
Can easily be disassembled and transported (i.e. to a restaurant)

10. Maxi Cosi Minla

Assembly: Easy assembly, all parts click together
Adjustment Settings: has adjustable height and tray positions
How to Clean: The seat pad is machine washable. The removable tray is dishwasher safe. Wipe the seat and frame clean
Age Range: newborn to 5 years old (50 lbs weight capacity)
Colors available: 8 colors to choose from
Price: $199.99 on Amazon
Weight: 24.6 lbs
Can be folded up for storage

Other Tips and Tricks

High chairs can potentially be a significant expense. Some cost more than others. Reaching out to friends, or parent groups on social media for used high chairs is always an option.

Facebook Marketplace is a great resource for finding baby furniture at reasonable prices. You can also check out “Buy Nothing” Facebook Groups for the city or town that you live in. They are filled with parents and caregivers trying to get rid of stuff for free!

Final Thoughts

BLW is a method used to introduce infants to solid foods in combination with breastmilk and/ or formula, and encourages your infant to self feed.

Having the right high chair is important to ensure that BLW is done safely. When choosing a high chair, baby must have the proper trunk support, safety harness straps, and foot rest to reduce the risk of choking.

Aside from safety, you need to consider how long you will be able to use the high chair, how easily it can be cleaned and how much space it will take up in your home.

This article lists a dietitian’s top 10 choices for the best high chairs for BLW, with a wide range of prices, sizes and age of use.

For more information about baby led weaning, infant feeding, updates, and freebies, subscribe to my e-mail list.

Best High Chairs for BLW: A Dietitian’s Top 10 Picks

What is Baby Led Weaning?

Why is it important to have the right high chair for baby-led weaning?

BLW High Chair Basics: What to consider when making your selection