High chair recommendations

[Goldenegg2012]

FTM to 5mo looking for advice. Are freestanding chairs better than ones that clip to existing seats on a day to day basis? Are there any features I should look for?

Looking for something on the cheaper end of price range (imc marketplace) that will see us into toddlerhood!

I’ve used a clip onto the dining chair one for both DC and I like them. We had a chicco pocket snack chair first time round which I liked but lots of books and crannies for food to get into so was a bit of a pain to clean.
We’ve got a fisher price on this time round and the seat is one moulded piece of plastic so much easier to clean when DD smushes food down by her thighs.

Don't get anything that has a cover that can't be removed. Babies are messy! DS once threw up in his and I had to hose it down in the garden. Lesson learnt!

Personally I'd recommend the Ikea one. Easy cleaning, compact, can buy a inflatable padding when they still need support.

I used the Ikea one for both of my children. So easy to keep clean. So cheap I got a second one for when friends came over.

Ikea. All my friends who bought a fancy high chair ended up buying the Ikea one to replace them.

IKEA all the way. All our friends bought expensive ones and ended up with the IKEA one like us! Can't recommend in enough x

I had a free standing and a chicco clip on one and the clip on one is so much better. As PP said, nooks and crannies to clean but it's such a space saver and I would take it out when I was visiting friends or going for a picnic. Couldn't recommend enough.

Thanks everyone, did anyone with the IKEA one find the lack of leg support and issue? Seeing mixed reviews online!

We had the IKEA highchair for our twins. I brought a foot support from Etsy. You could also tie a Muslim between the legs.

I assume pps are talking about the IKEA antilop - no issues with leg support - it’s really sturdy! Best kids product out there IMO - cheap, easy to clean, small for when they’re first weaning but lasts ages, good removable tray. You won’t regret it!

The IKEA one is fantastic. We have the blow up cushion for it too as DS can't sit without support yet and it's been great to take out to cafes where the highchairs are always the crap wooden ones.

You can buy a foot support to attach from various small businesses online I think, but wasn't an issue for us

Surprised no one has mentioned the Tripp trapp!

We have the IKEA one too, it's great. And was really handy for when we went out to eat when he was really small (pre covid) as he needed the cushion so we could just take that along with us.

Lack of leg support wasn't an issue for us. It might be a positive thing as now he's older he'd be try to use any footrests to stand up and escape.

Honestly you can't do better than the IKEA one. No issues with no foot rest for either of mine. Easy to use and clean.

@TwinMum89

We had the IKEA highchair for our twins. I brought a foot support from Etsy. You could also tie a Muslim between the legs.

You have to love autocorrect's dislike of the word muslin!

@Extrapepperoni

Surprised no one has mentioned the Tripp trapp!

The OP said cheaper end of the market!!

But personally I would agree a TrippTrapp is an excellent long term investment - can be used until they are almost teens and keep them at the right height for the table as they grow. But not cheap.

Another vote for IKEA as the best cheaper option.

Another vote for IKEA and buy the footrest from Etsy

Ikea Antilop, never understood the foot thing. DS2 would kick his legs with excitement when eating, it was so cute!

Otherwise, fisher price healthy care booster was what I had for DS1 and that was brilliant as well. Warning though your chairs get absolutely destroyed with dropped food.

Hi, I've got the Stokke tripp trapp. I hunted for a while to get them second hand at a cheap price. First was from eBay and second from fb marketplace. In a non trendy colour - brown woods etc, instead of pastels or white I found they can be cheaper.
I've got two - one for my large 3.5 year old, and one for our four month old (using the newborn seat, which you won't need, but also bought second hand).
They're fantastic because the child can sit right at the table with no tray (I think the IKEA one does this too? And is definitely a point I love!); which really involves children with food and family meal times. Our 3.5 year old stays at the table and is the exact right height for him, so less inclination to want to get down etc and enjoy a longer time at the table as a family. When we eat out somewhere now he doesn't need a high chair but often uses a cushion now, as he is so used to being the right height to eat at.
If you're not already sold on the IKEA from the good previous reviews then it's definitely still worth looking to see if there are secondhand ones around as long as you don't mind not owning from new.

I used a stand alone chair with an insert for DC 1&2 . It was bulky and a bit of an eyesore but did the job. It was still in the loft when DC3 came along but we just used the clip on seat . He was part of the family for meals and it takes up no space. Main draw back is remembering to keep things on the table out of arms reach.My older DC were weaning in the days of 4 month old babies starting food. They needed good support as they would be lolling in their chairs. Now that DC aren't weaned until later , hence no longer any need for purées , the child has a lot more physical control and the clip on chair works well.

If mine had had a footrest he'd have used it launch himself out of the chair. No need!

I agree - the lack of a foot rest in the IKEA chair is actually a bonus! We never found it an issue and it keeps them sat down.

We've just got rid of our IKEA one and replaced it with a second hand Tripp Trapp for our 2 year old. The chair is great for allowing her to sit right up to the table, but the ability to stand up is such a novelty for her and a right PITA for us!

IKEA antilop plus footrest from Etsy. I'd also really recommend getting a few bibados.