Wooden High Chairs - The Best Choice For Your Baby?

By Ned D'Agostino

Sure you want your high chair to be functional, but you want it to be beautiful as well. Wooden high chairs can be both. While plastic and metal chairs were the norm for a long time, more and more parents are choosing wood chairs again, not only because they do the job they are intended for, but because they look great with the rest of the furniture.

If you've ever had one of those metal chairs, chances are you went to the trouble of hiding it or putting it away when company was coming over. It looked like it didn't belong. They can be large and ungainly, and they don't seem to fit neatly anywhere, even if they do fold up for "easy storage."

Those made of wood, however, do fit in. With lots of finishes and styles to choose from, parents can find one that fits the décor of their home. If the dining table and kitchen cabinets are oak, a nice oak high chair looks like it was made to fit right in. Other options you may find include maple, cherry and natural wood. You will find models that look like antiques and some that look very modern. A wooden chair is durable, and can be passed down for generations as a family heirloom if it is well made.

With any of them, you want function as well as beauty. When you are looking at them, make sure that the tray is easy to lock and unlock. Can you do it with one hand? Is it important for your chair to have a plastic tray that goes in the dishwasher, or is it okay to have a wooden tray to wipe down after every meal?

Safety is another concern. No matter how beautiful a high chair is, will your child be safe there? Does the chair come with secure restraints to keep baby from sliding out? Is the chair sturdy enough for an older baby that wiggles vigorously? Does it have good balance?

Wood chairs can be all of those things, but there are drawbacks. They may not be as functional as the traditional plastic and metal variety. They don't come with wheels, and they don't have reclining seat backs. It may be more difficult to find a wood chair that adjusts for height, as well. Wooden chairs won't come with built-in toys on the feeding tray. That feature is limited to the plastic chairs. If these features are important to you, it may be better to look at high chairs made of plastic. You may have to decide between beauty and features, so you'll need to decide if those features are worth giving up something appearance.

When you are ready to make your final choice, make sure you have done your homework. It is easy to do research on several models online. It may help if you prioritize what features you can't live without, and which ones are negotiable. Remember to look at safety, function and beauty. Take your list of features you want with you when you shop, whether it is at the local baby mart or online, so you don't forget anything important.

If you decide that this is still in your future, that's great! Now you'll know exactly what features you want in your high chair, and shopping for one should be a lot easier.

For more information on wooden high chairs visit http://www.discounthighchairs.com, a popular website featuring all the information you'll need to get the right high chair for your baby. You'll find information on all the features available and a look at some of the most popular brands of baby high chairs.

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