Highchairs: With or Without a tray: which is best?

[jaz2]

Whilst the highchairs without trays are definately nicer looking, my ds (7months old) has really enjoyed sitting in ones with a tray, and shows signs of wanting to be very independent when feeding (which I guess is messier if he doesn't have a tray in front of him - but may get better over time?). He also enjoys being able to play with toys on the tray - though guess this may be less important when he can sit up 100% reliably and can move around. So we are not sure what type of chair to buy. Grateful for views and recommendations.

removable tray.
as you say, trays are good for a bit, then not so.
personally, i have 3 of these which have suited the 3 dc well over the varying stages of babyhood. much cheaper than proper highchairs too.

Ikea antilop. £15ish. No nooks or crannys for dirt to accumulate. Can be hosed or showered down if it gets really bad.

I turned my nose up when it was recommended to me (I wanted, but couldn't afford, a £100 job). I was talked into it by DP on the basis that £15 wouldn't matter if we decided to buy a £100 job at a later date.

That was 6m ago and I still have it and have no plans to change.

Legs come off - so we can take it to Grandmas for a weekend. Tray is removable - can sit up at the table (as long as table is high enough, which mine isn't).

just looked at ikea antilop... brilliant. i love that store sometimes.

Message withdrawn

Thanks for the advice. The antilop looks good. How high does the table have to be so that the chair can be used at it, and also how easy is the harness to use? A couple of chairs we have tried require 2 people to put a baby in (if the baby doesn't know to bend its legs), and still the harness ends up underneath the baby and you have to fight to get it out. By which time you have a howling baby, fraught parents, and an unhappy association with food!

I have just measured mine and the table needs to be at least 72-73cm off the floor IYSWIM.

The harness is exceedingly easy - it is just a lap strap with a standard push in plastic buckle - like a toddler shopping trolly seat. It it goes under baby it easy to get out as it is a simple lap strap and not a maze of straps.

The only thing - as you say is that baby needs to bend their legs - like you are putting him a trolly as there is a bar (and crotch bar) across the fron - even with no tray in place.

Oh and if he is a good eater he will soon learn he has to bend legs to get food!!!

SMS: thanks very much for the info, I'm now sure that it's the one for us, and even if it turns out not to be, it's not an expensive mistake. The boy will have to learn to bend his legs, as you say. Isn't life hard!!