Highchairs (view report contents)
Suiting your abilities
Here are some points to look out for when choosing a highchair, depending on your own abilities.
if you have impaired dexterity
Check that you can use all the useful features on a highchair. Larger levers and tags that require little force will be helpful. Avoid stiff rocker switches and turning controls that might hurt your wrist. Look out for highchairs with a flip-over tray, particularly if you have use of only one hand. You are likely to find 3-point harnesses easier to handle than 5-point.
if you have poor sight
Go for contrasting colours for buckles, straps, catches, buttons and adjusting levers. You may be able to buy seat covers and inserts to achieve better contrast. Fixings that open and close with a loud or firm click will be helpful. Larger levers and tags will be more easily seen.
if you have no sight
There were surprisingly few complaints from blind testers about dealing with safety straps and adjusting trays, which could be done by touch and listening to clicks. Large levers and tags are also helpful. Armrests give guidance on where to lower in your child. Check you can align the legs and locate any slots to re-build a convertible highchair.
if you walk with difficulty
Check the highchairs’ stability before you buy, both when they are stationary and being moved – if you might need to use them for support. The folding mechanisms vary: go for a highchair that folds and unfolds in a controlled way, without the tray suddenly dropping down for example. If you want a highchair with wheels, you might feel steadier crouching down to put the wheel locks on and off.
if you use a wheelchair
Being able to adjust the height of a highchair has advantages, but can you manage the mechanism? Reaching catches either side of the seat might be too wide a stretch. The heights of the non-adjustable highchairs vary. Check too the position of the legs for how close you can wheel in - to lift your child in and out, deal with the safety harness and feed him or her. Any low bar around the legs might obstruct your wheelchair footplate. You are likely to need a lot of space around the highchair for manoeuvring – to unlock the wheels, change the height or adjust the tray. Its size and weight will affect the awkwardness of folding and moving the highchair. You might not be able to convert a highchair to a table and chair yourself, because of the weight and leverage
Report Contents
About
this guide
Types
What
to look for
Favourite
features
Suiting
your own abilities
How
to stay safe
Buying
guide
Standard highchairs
Multiposition highchairs
Convertible highchairs
More
highchairs on the market
Helpful
organisations
Suppliers'
details
