Did anyone not bother with highchair?

[beansprout]

Space is a real issue for us and I'm wondering if anyone just used a booster seat (or something else)? Did it work or did you wish you had bought a highchair after all?

[fastasleep]

We used DS's pram for a bit (we were skint)...I don't reccommend it!

[Twiglett]

I used a seat that clipped on to the table for a while with DD - but as soon as she hit about 8 months I found it far easier to put her in her highchair - but then we have the space for both if I hadn't had the choice then a highchair that clips on to the table (as long as it has a 5 point harness) is fine or a booster seat if you can get one with a 5 point harness and baby can reach the table comfortably in it - its the harness that is importnat

[JoolsToo]

I find my hips get stuck if I use a highchair

[elliott]

I used a plastic booster seat with a tray - bought a little padded cushion to make it a bit more comfy. Both from mothercare iirc. It was fine from around 6 months-ish - before that (if I dare admit I started solids before 6 months!) I used a bouncy chair.

[flum]

have used both. Booster seat ok but when baby bit bigger used to push feet against table and worried that would push chair over backwards and smash head open.

there is a wooden one you canget thatfits under table and then'grows' with child into a normal chair. that would be a good idea for you.

[serenity]

I didn't with DS1 because I had nowhere to store one, and it was OK. We inherited one with DS2 and although it got in the way it was a lifesaver to be able to strap him in and be able to deal with both him and DS1.

With DD we got a travel high chair that folds completely flat, so it hides behind the table when we don't need it, I wish we'd had it with the other two!

[bobbybob]

Got First Years 3 position booster seat and love it. Ds still sits in it (26 months.) but now at the table. Most of it tucks under table when not in use.

Tripp Trapp by Stokke would have been my "money no object choice", but at about 30 quid the booster was brilliant.

[lima]

I had a big ugly pastic one for my 2 - took up a lot of space and was a pig to clean, but was very useful for keeping the ds's under control at mealtimes etc especially when they are in the messy, independent finger food stage.

I used to use a portable one when staying at the in-laws, but it wasn't as effective.

so a sort of a necessary evil IMO

[flum]

Trip trap is the one I was thinking of. everyone I know who has one loves it.

I have ikea one - Antilop 14.50 - its brilliant, smooth lines, easy to clean, baby can't try to climb out as no foot rest. might have too big a 'footprint for you'

can't bear those massive 'reclining' ones in Mother care - huge and fussy, such a rip off

[janeybops]

I only had booster seat strapped to dining chair for dd - worked great.

BUT with ds I had to get a highchair after about a month of weaning as he was rocking the whole thing so much he was going to tip it over.

So depends on type of baby you have I suppose!

[TinyGang]

I used one for dd, but when I had twins two highchairs were cumbersome and the twins wanted to eat at the table anyway with their big sister.The highchairs also took up so much space.

We used booster seats that had harnesses and sat them at the table. It was much easier. Just make sure the child doesn't manage to push back against the table with their feet and tip the chair back. That happened once (all ok!)

Booster seats are more portable too if you are eating out or visiting friends and family and it means the child can join in at the table with everyone else.

[suzywong]

another vote for the clip on to table seat

we too had a very space hungry highchair for ds1 and didn't bother with it at all for ds2

[slartibardfast]

We gave up with highchair for ds a long time ago.

He's still a messy eater and is always spraying food down his clothes.

Not much chance of improvement now, I guess.

25 next birthday

:-)

[Sponge]

We had the clip on one for dd and we're using it again for ds. Once dd got too heavy for it we moved her to a fold flat booster seat which hooks over a normal chair. She still uses this sometimes and ds can take it over when he outgrows the clip on. Have never had a proper high chair and don't want one. Too bulky, too ugly.

[weezb]

Argh - babe at 20 weeks and have to start thinking avout high chairs and introducing solids. Trip trap and stokke have been mentioned several times but this could just be an opportunity to buy an expensive piece of attractive kit. Opinions seem to vary - I need something to put wriggly nosy child in whilst I do the boring kitchen type stuff and she can watch safely and play with toys. Foods - anyone know of a good food book that I can start with./ Not feeling very confident and want to know how to combine it with breastfeeding and what time of day to introduce etc...not getting too hassled but know I can't avoid.

[weesaidie]

Annabel Karmel is good weezb... I have baby and toddler one.

I am ashamed to say my dd is 13 months and have only just got a high chair which my mum bought as am totally broke at the moment!

Honestly have been planning to get one for ages as gets very messy feeding dd sitting on my lap! Don't know how I have managed to put it off for so long!

[Hub2deesCucumber]

my sister had to get rid of her trip trap because her dd kept pushing her feet on the table from the age of about 12m and it was going over, it hasn't got a very wide base. Might be ok if your table doesn't have a lintel to push against though.

[NannyL]

My aunt and uncle have managed with a chair thing that clips to the table, then moved on to a booster seat to sit at the table.

Has suited them fine

In the 1st stages of eaning their 'baby seat' covered with a muslin or similar will do fine!

[hunkermunker]

DS was on a booster seat the other day and he pushed with his legs and tipped the chair over backwards. Luckily I caught it. Just bear in mind they're not necessarily as sturdy as a highchair (we have a Tripp Trapp at home, on laminate floor, and if he pushes that the table with his feet, it just slides along - though I do try to stop him doing it, as it means he can't reach his food then!).