About to enter into the world of weaning? A solid high chair with a large tray is an essential buy. Read our review of the Mothercare Star high chair.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. Mothercare Star high chair – discontinued This product is no longer available Mothercare has produced a number of variations on the standard folding highchair for its own-brand range, with the gender-neutral grey star design at the more subdued end of the colour spectrum. There's nothing ground-breaking about the chair, but with its height, recline and tray adjustment options and the ability to fold it down, and the relatively reasonable price tag, it’s a practical mid-range choice that ticks plenty of boxes. What are your first impressions of the Mothercare Star high chair? Bearing a striking resemblance to two other grey folding chairs I reviewed, the Mamas & Papas Snax and the Argos Cuggl Deluxe, the Mothercare Star sits between the two in price. The functionality of the three chairs is very similar, so the choice comes down to value for money and preference on looks. The bright orangey-red straps and accents on the Mothercare Star initially struck me as a little garish – but the colour does help to disguise Bolognese splashes on the harness! Mothercare Star high chair assembly – how easy is it? The chair is simple to put together and the diagram instructions fairly straightforward to follow, although, as with other high chairs of this style, the footrest is awkward to fit and requires a long screwdriver, which isn’t supplied. What age is the Mothercare Star high chair suitable for? The chair is suitable for children from sitting up unaided to around three years old. How secure is the Mothercare Star high chair? As with the other chairs I tested of this type, I found the tray shook when my daughter banged her legs, but this was a minor irritation rather than a significant safety concern. Other than this, it felt pretty sturdy. What is the safety harness like? The brightly coloured five-point harness clips into a large button which I found slightly easier to use than the clips on the similar Cuggl and Mamas & Papas chairs. However, as with those chairs, the crotch strap on the Mothercare Star sometimes becomes tucked underneath the baby. How big is the tray and is it a good height for the child? Besides the removable, dishwasher-safe top layer being transparent rather than grey, the tray on the Mothercare Star is exactly the same as the Argos Cuggl Deluxe version: 57cm wide with three sections and space for a cup (though of course not every cup fits in it). It sits at a good height and can be moved backwards and forwards by squeezing the sides of the tray and pushing it into three positions, although, as with other highchairs of this type, I found the sliding mechanism clunky: it often goes on wonkily and has to be re-adjusted, and can become caught on the cushion padding. Can you adjust the high chair in any other way? The chair moves easily into six height positions, so you can feed the child while you sit on the sofa or at a lower table. You can also tilt it backwards, but the handle is quite hard to reach and the reclining motion is not very smooth. What is its footprint? The chair’s footprint is reasonably large at 77cm x 51cm, and with its flashes of bright colour, it’s fairly dominant in a room (though the red feet may mean you’re less likely to trip over them!). What is the overall quality of the high chair? The chair could be adjusted more smoothly and is a little ‘plasticky’ in appearance, but feels solid enough. Is it comfortable for the child? The chair is fairly roomy, with plenty of cushioning and an armchair-like shape that looked very comfy for my daughter. The recline options might also add to the comfort of babies who like to doze in their chairs, but we didn’t make use of this feature. Is the seat padded? There's generous padding over the seat, sides and back rest, with a shiny, wipe-clean cover. The seat pad can be detached from the chair for cleaning. Can you get the child in and out easily? Once you’ve shifted the tray out of the way, it’s very easy to lift the child out of the chair; trying to do it without removing the tray is a bit hit and miss. Is there adequate support for the child? The structured seat with its high, cushioned back rest, crotch post, five-point harness and adjustable tray help the child to maintain a good upright posture, but the fixed footrest doesn’t provide a lot of support. Is it easy to clean? While the cover is wipe-clean, as with most cushioned chairs, food does collect in the seams, meaning you’ll need to take the cushion off regularly to keep it properly clean. The tray has a top layer which can be popped off for cleaning. Is it easy to store? The chair is straightforward to collapse: lower the chair height, close the legs, release the tray and hang it on the back of the legs. Once folded, it stands freely but isn’t especially neat at 99cm x 57cm x 35cm, so it’s not the easiest to transport. Are there any accessories available for purchase? No. Are there any special features? No additional features. Overall star ratings for Mothercare Star high chair Ease of assembly 4/5 Comfort for child 4.5/5 Ease of cleaning 3.5/5 Safety and security 4/5 Ease of storage 4/5 Value for money 4/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Product specifications Age: Suitable from sitting unaided to three years Size capacity: Up to 15kg Dimensions: Height 103cm Width 59cm Depth 85cm Seat recline options: Three Seat height options: Six More on infant feeding and family mealtimes... All you need to know about weaning Weaning recipes for the first year Baby-led weaning recipes Weaning safety, storage and hygiene Our top weaning recipes Toddler recipes Top 11 toddler recipes Family meal recipes Visit our family section This review was last updated in December 2019.
Investing in a good high chair is essential for parents entering into the world of weaning and toddler meals. Does the renowned Stokke Tripp Trapp chair live up to its reputation? We put it to the test.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair Pros: Genuine longevity – lasts into adulthood, sits the child at the family table, stylish design, solid construction, tucks neatly under the table, encourages good posture Cons: Expensive accessories, toddlers can push table away if not placed correctly, fiddly harness, difficult to transport or store Overall score: 3.8/5 Buy from Stokke (starts at £178 for basic chair) The Stokke Tripp Trapp first came to the market in 1972, after Norwegian designer Peter Opsvik struggled to find a chair that would allow his two-year-old son to sit at the family table after outgrowing his highchair. Marketed as ‘the chair that grows with the child’, the Tripp Trapp is designed to last well beyond the lifespan of a traditional highchair, and can continue to be adjusted into adulthood. It pushes right up to the table, helping the child to feel included in family meals. There are now several imitators on the market, but, with its iconic design and high production standards, the Tripp Trapp is still considered the leader in its category. In 2015, the company introduced the Stokke Steps, which is similarly intended to evolve with the child (to adolescence), and they’ve also expanded into a wide range of other nursery products. What are your first impressions of the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair? We currently use an older version of the Tripp Trapp which was passed on to us by a friend, so I was curious to see how the latest model compared. Gone are the wooden front bar and back rest and leather crotch strap, to be replaced with a single clip-on plastic baby seat – less rustically attractive, perhaps, but easier to remove for cleaning, as are the new seat cushions – and there are additional safety features, too. The chair is now available in 14 colours in the standard beech, along with oak and ash versions, with an array of coordinating cushions and other accessories and the option to have the chair engraved – the basic Tripp Trapp design may be Scandi-simple, but Stokke have caught on to parents’ desire to personalise what has become a highly covetable object. We tested the 'storm grey' version, which coordinated well with our dining furniture. Stokke Tripp Trapp assembly – how easy is it? The chair is assembled and adjusted using an Allen key. Some nuts need to be left very loose until the end, to allow you to slide the seat and footplates in. The basic instructions were pretty clear, with guides on how to set the chair up for children of different ages. However, there were separate instructions for fitting the harness, baby set and cushions (as these are sold separately), and I found myself taking everything apart again to fit these at the correct stage of the main chair’s construction. It's best to read all sets of instructions together before you start. What age is the Stokke Tripp Trapp suitable for? The basic Tripp Trapp chair is intended to last a toddler into adulthood, but in order to use it as a high chair from around six months to three years, you’ll need the Baby Set (£47). The Newborn Set (£79) makes the chair suitable from birth. How secure is the Stokke Tripp Trapp? Being made from solid wood, the chair is heavy and sturdy – it’s designed to hold the weight of an adult. Having the chair flush with the table does mean the child can push themselves away from it, but the extended glider attachment for the feet is designed to stop the chair from tipping backwards when this happens. What is the safety harness like? The five-point safety harness (£29) is an optional extra. A younger baby who's not too wriggly might not need it, but it’s quite useful as the child becomes stronger and can use the footrest to stand up and lean across the table. The harness feels like a bit of an afterthought and doesn’t seem particularly well integrated into the design. It clips on to the sides of the chair and then sits behind the child in the seat, which doesn’t look especially comfortable. It's adjusted at the back of the child, which is slightly awkward, and the buttons to release the clips are small and fiddly. The harness tends to get in the way while cleaning the chair, and being a pale colour means it could begin to show marks, though it is washable. How big is the tray and is it a good height for the child? The Tripp Trapp is designed to be used directly at the table, so that the child joins in with family meals (and steals from the plates of other family members, in my daughter's case). However, a tray (£39) is available as an optional (and pricey) extra, and might be useful if, for example, you had lots of friends round and didn’t have space to have the highchair at the table. The tray clips onto the front of the Baby Set easily (especially when you’re not using the cushions), though it’s released by unclipping it underneath the middle of the tray, which is slightly fiddly. It’s a reasonable size (23cm x 43cm), dishwasher-proof and sits at a good height, but can’t be adjusted. Can you adjust the high chair in any other way? While the chair is being used with the Baby Set, the seat has to remain in one position but the footrest can be adjusted. When the child is older, both the seat plate and footrest can be moved into a number of different positions, using the Allen key. What is its footprint? The footprint is a modest 47cm x 48cm, some of which tucks under the table, though the feet do stick out a bit, especially when using the gliders. What is the overall quality of the Tripp Trapp? The chair is made from solid beech (or more expensive oak or ash) and is very well made and finished. The paintwork doesn’t look as if it would scratch or chip easily, and the whole thing feels designed to last. The accessories are also made from high quality materials – I liked the cotton cushion fabric, which is wipe-clean but has an attractive matte finish. Is it comfortable for the child? It may not look as comfortable as some of the more armchair-like highchairs, but the ergonomic design and smooth lines of the Tripp Trapp help the child to sit comfortably. Giving the child a seat at the family table does seem to make them feel included and perhaps helps to make mealtimes a bit more communal and relaxed. Is the seat padded? The cushions – which come in baby, child and adult versions – are sold separately and come in a variety of colours and patterns starting at £33. Though very pretty, they aren’t really necessary, especially once the child is a bit bigger, as the seat is fairly snug anyway. Despite being wipeable, they do make the chair more difficult to clean. My daughter also quickly worked out how to undo the velcro on them. Can you get the child in and out easily? It’s pretty easy to get the child in and out, although it becomes more of a squeeze as the child gets bigger, as the Baby Set isn’t adjustable so the leg holes become snugger. However, you could just unclip the Baby Set to get the child out if it became a problem. Is there adequate support for the child? The Baby Set includes a curved back rest and the footplates are adjustable, meaning the child is well supported. Is it easy to clean? The basic wooden chair is easy to clean, although food does collect on the large foot plate, plus the surface and edges of the dining table, so there are a number of areas to wipe down. It’s worth bearing in mind that the table not only gets messy but is likely to get repeatedly stabbed with a fork, so if you’re attached to your table it might be worth putting a mat down. The Baby Set wipes clean and can also go in the dishwasher. The cushions are wipeable and washable, but crumbs do collect in the crevices, and the harness is also slightly annoying to clean around. Is it easy to store? The chair doesn’t fold away and is fairly cumbersome to move, so you’ll probably want to keep it in one place. It tucks neatly under the dining table, and blends in well with other furniture – you could adapt it to be used as an adult chair if it wasn’t needed for a child. Are there any accessories available for purchase? There’s a dizzying range of potential add-ons – going full Tripp Trapp would be an expensive choice. The Baby Set (£47) is essential to use the chair as a high chair. The harness is £29 – this seems like something that should really be included with the Baby Set; the tray is £39 and the various cushion sets around £40. The Newborn Set (£79, with the toy hanger another £11) might be a nice addition if you’re a family with older children and eager to sit together at mealtimes, but you can’t detach it and use it on the floor (unlike the bouncer that comes with the Stokke Steps). Are there any special features? The chair’s USP is the ability to keep adjusting the chair into adulthood. Overall star ratings for Stokke Tripp Trapp Ease of assembly 4/5 Comfort for child 4/5 Ease of cleaning 4/5 Safety and security 4/5 Ease of storage 3/5 Value for money 4/5 Overall star rating: 3.8/5 Buy from Stokke (starts at £178 for basic chair) Product specifications Age: Suitable from birth to adulthood Size capacity: Up to 110kg Dimensions: Height 79cm Length 49cm Depth 46cm Seat recline options: None Seat height options: 14 Materials: Beech wood Accessories: Newborn Set, plus hanging toy Baby Set Tray Cushions Harness More on infant feeding and family mealtimes... All you need to know about weaning Weaning recipes for the first year Baby-led weaning recipes Weaning safety, storage and hygiene Our top weaning recipes Toddler recipes Top 11 toddler recipes Family meal recipes Visit our family section This review was last updated in May 2019.
A good high chair is an essential buy for parents that will see you through from weaning your baby all the way to toddler mealtimes. Read our review of the Mamas & Papas Snax high chair.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. Mamas & Papas Snax high chair Pros: Comfortable and secure for baby, spacious tray, adjustable and foldable Cons: More expensive than comparable chairs, castors add to height when folded, clunky recline and tray adjustment, large footprint, difficult to keep properly clean Overall score: 3.8/5 Buy from Mamas & Papas (£65) The Snax is nursery brand Mamas & Papas’ higher-end high chair, available in four colours of which the grey hexagon design we tested is the most neutral. It’s an adjustable folding chair with six heights, three tray positions and three recline settings. Of the three very similar folding chairs I tested (the other two being Argos’ Cuggl Deluxe Sheep and the Mothercare Star), the Snax is the most expensive, at £79. It comes with two additional features, a storage basket and castors, but I didn’t feel these really warranted the difference in price. What are your first impressions of the Mamas & Papas Snax high chair? Unobtrusive in pattern but rather bulky in size, this is a solid folding chair with all the usual adjustment options, plus a couple of added features. Is the Mamas & Papas Snax high chair easy to assemble? The chair slots together easily, with straightforward diagrams to follow, but does require a screwdriver (not supplied) to secure the feet and footrest. Attaching the footrest is fiddly, particularly with the basket in the way. What age is the Mamas & Papas Snax high chair suitable for? The chair is suitable for children from sitting up unaided to around three years old. How secure is the Mamas & Papas Snax high chair? As with other chairs tested of this type, the tray shakes when a child moves especially enthusiastically, but this doesn’t affect the overall stability of the chair. What is the safety harness like? The five-point harness clips into place easily and the straps are adjusted at the front of the baby, so you can see what you’re doing. The pale colour is, however, vulnerable to staining, particularly on the straps over the child’s chest. How big is the tray and is it a good height for the child? The well placed tray is nice and wide at 57cm, making it well suited to baby-led weaning, with handy sections on the tray insert to divide up the baby’s food. The tray slides backwards and forwards into three settings by squeezing the sides, but the movement is clunky. Can you adjust the high chair in any other way? There are six easily adjusted height positions and three recline options, but the recline handle is quite hard to reach and the motion can be a little jerky. There are no accessories available for purchase. What is its footprint? The chair’s footprint was the largest of those I tested, at 83cm x 57cm, so may not be suitable for smaller spaces. What is the overall quality of the high chair? As with other chairs I tested of this type, it’s let down by some clunky adjustment mechanisms, but the chair feels generally well made. Is it comfortable for the child? My toddler sat very happily in the chair, enjoying plenty of room while being well supported by the high back rest. The three tray positions and easily adjusted harness should help to make it comfortable for babies of all ages. Is the seat padded? The seat, sides and back rest are well padded and covered in a wipe-clean fabric that is slightly less shiny than some. Can you get the child in and out easily? It’s easiest to remove the child once you’ve taken off the tray; it can be a bit of a squeeze otherwise. Is there adequate support for the child? The footrest can’t be adjusted, so is of limited use, but the chair is otherwise very supportive, with its high, padded back rest, crotch post, five-point harness and adjustable tray. Is it easy to clean? The seat pad is made from wipe-clean PVC-coated fabric, but, as with most cushioned chairs, food collects in nooks and crannies, so you’ll need to take the cushion off regularly to keep it properly clean. The tray has a removable insert to make it easier to clean (though messy meals end up around the edges of both the insert and the main tray). Is it easy to store? The chair is simply folded down by lowering the height, closing the legs and hooking the tray onto the back of the legs. Theoretically, the castors help to move the chair around, but I didn’t find they made the chair glide especially smoothly. The castors also add to the height of the chair, making it slightly bulkier when folded than the other chairs I tested of this type. Are there any special features? The chair comes with a basket underneath the seat, which is quite handy for storing a few bits and pieces like wet wipes, but not very easy to access. Overall star ratings for Mamas & Papas Snax high chair Ease of assembly 3.5/5 Comfort for child 4.5/5 Ease of cleaning 3.5/5 Safety and security 4/5 Ease of storage 4/5 Value for money 3.5/5 Overall score: 3.8/5 Buy from Mamas & Papas (£65) Product specifications Age: Suitable from sitting unaided to around 3 years. Size capacity: Up to 15kg Dimensions: Height 120cm Width 90cm Depth 85cm Materials: Seat, tray, foot rest, joints, feet, wheels – polypropelene plastic Seat pad (outer) - PVC-coated fabric Seat pad (filling) polyester fibres Legs - steel Decorative mouldings - ABS plastic Harness - 100% polyester Buckle - POM plastic Seat recline options: Three Seat height options: Six More on infant feeding and family mealtimes All you need to know about weaning Weaning recipes for the first year Baby-led weaning recipes Weaning safety, storage and hygiene Our top weaning recipes Toddler recipes Top 11 toddler recipes Family meal recipes Visit our family section This review was last updated in May 2019.
This pocket-friendly IKEA high chair costs less than £50 – but does it stand up to the test? Read our review of the cheap and cheerful BLÅMES baby and toddler seat.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. IKEA BLÅMES high chair Pros: Attractive design that fits in with other dining furniture, extra-large tray, reasonably priced, good size for toddlers Cons: A little tricky to assemble, doesn’t adjust or fold away, tray is hard to remove, angular design not the most comfortable for younger babies Overall score: 3.3/5 Buy from IKEA (£45) Most of us are familiar with IKEA’s ubiquitous white plastic Antilop high chair. At just £14 including the tray, it's among the cheapest high chairs on the market and popular both with parents and restaurants for its simple, no-fuss practicality. The elegant-looking black wooden BLÅMES is IKEA’s more expensive option but, at £45, it’s still at the lower end of the scale for high chairs. The price certainly compares favourably to other design-led chairs, though this one won’t last a child beyond the age of three. What are your first impressions of the IKEA BLÅMES? An attractive but understated highchair that blends well with modern dining furniture, but possibly favours aesthetics over practicality and comfort. IKEA BLÅMES assembly – how easy is it? It took us about half an hour to build the chair, which, in classic IKEA fashion, comes flat-packed and requires assembly. If you’ve made IKEA furniture before, you’ll be in familiar territory – but, as with most things, it’s a bit more challenging when sleep-deprived. The chair itself is put together using dowels and screws with an Allen key (supplied in the box), but a screwdriver is required to attach the clips for the tray. The diagrams are largely straightforward to follow, though the attachment of the harness had us stumped for a while. What age is the IKEA BLÅMES suitable for? Suitable from sitting unaided up to 36 months. How secure is the IKEA BLÅMES? The chair feels solid and sturdy, without any wobble, and the tray is also very robust. What is the safety harness like? The harness is one of the less impressive features of this high chair. The seat is fairly deep, so you want to be certain the child can’t wriggle out of it, but the three-point harness feels a little flimsy. The straps and buckles are quite slim, and the crotch strap can easily get hidden under the baby as you sit them in the chair, making it slightly fiddly to secure. The straps are also adjusted underneath the seat, which makes it tricky to see what you’re doing – though it’s the same harness used on IKEA’s Antilop, so most parents will have tackled this at some point before. How big is the tray and is it a good height for the child? The tray is particularly wide and, fairly unusually, round, which gives an impressive circle of coverage and is particularly helpful for baby-led weaning. My daughter enjoyed spreading her food out, and a little less of it ended up on the floor than usual. The deep rim also helps to contain spillages. On the downside, the size and shape of the tray does slightly detract from the clean lines of the chair itself, and means it doesn’t push up to the dining table very neatly. The tray doesn’t adjust, but it was at a good height for my daughter and was level with our table. There's quite a large gap between tray and baby – some food does fall down into the baby's lap. The tray can be removed for cleaning, or for pushing the chair up against the table, but it’s made from very thick, inflexible plastic and it can be difficult to unclip. Can you adjust the high chair in any other way? No. Like an adult dining chair, it’s fixed as it is. Some parents might miss having recline options (perhaps, if the baby likes to have a bottle in the chair) or the ability to alter the seat height. What is its footprint? At 52cm x 53cm, it’s relatively neat – though the super-sized tray does add to its wingspan. With four separate feet, rather than bars across the floor, it’s easy to clean around. What is the overall quality of the the IKEA BLÅMES? The chair feels well made and durable, although the paint could potentially be chipped by a careering toddler in a ride-on toy. The tray is made from a rather coarse and rigid plastic – a material with slightly more give, or a different release mechanism, would make it much easier to remove. Is it comfortable for the child? Those stylish angular surfaces don’t scream comfort. My toddler seemed to enjoy the relative roominess of the chair, but this, coupled with the rather flimsy harness, hard edges and lack of cushioning, make it less well suited to a baby only just able to sit unaided, or one prone to flinging his or her head around. Is the seat padded? Neither the seat nor seat back are padded. This helps to preserve the chair’s sleek design, and makes it easier to clean, but it does detract from the chair’s cosy factor. Can you get the child in and out easily? There’s a fair bit of room between seat and tray which, whilst inviting Weetabix splodges, makes it fairly easy to get the child out without needing to remove the tray. Is there adequate support for the child? The chair has a tall, slightly slanted back that helps to keep the baby in a good upright position, though the size of seat and lack of cushioning make this chair better suited to older babies and toddlers who can sit well by themselves. The footrest is in a fixed position – little legs may not reach it. Is it easy to clean? The tray and wooden surfaces wipe clean easily, although the chair’s squareness means crumbs can collect in the corners, as well as in the holes for the harness. The stiffness of the tray might discourage you from removing it to clean, which would gradually lead to a build-up of grime around the edges. Is it easy to store? The chair doesn’t fold down so you’ll need to have a permanent space for it; for long-term storage, you’d need to completely dismantle it. But with its smallish footprint and unobtrusive design, it shouldn’t get in the way too much. Are there any accessories available for purchase? IKEA sell a generic inflatable cushion (£3) which can help to make the chair more snug and supportive for a younger baby. Are there any special features? No. Overall star ratings for IKEA BLÅMES Ease of assembly 3/5 Comfort for child 3/5 Ease of cleaning 3.5/5 Safety and security 3.5/5 Ease of storage 3/5 Value for money 4/5 Overall score: 3.3/5 Buy from IKEA (£45) Product specifications Age: Suitable from sitting unaided to 3 years. Size capacity: Up to 15kg Dimensions: Height 93cm Width 52cm Depth 53cm Materials: Base – Solid rubberwood, acrylic paint Back/Seat – Fibreboard Tray – Polypropylene plastic Seat recline options: None More on infant feeding and family mealtimes All you need to know about weaning Weaning recipes for the first year Baby-led weaning recipes Weaning safety, storage and hygiene Our top weaning recipes Toddler recipes Top 11 toddler recipes Family meal recipes Visit our family section This review was last updated in May 2019.
Picking the right high chair will take you from weaning your baby through to toddler mealtimes and beyond. We review the iCandy MiChair to see how well it stands up to the task.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. iCandy MiChair high chair Pros: Stylish, easy to clean, quick to assemble, converts to a children's chair Cons: Expensive (particularly with the cushions), small tray, conversion mechanism can jam, doesn't fold away Overall score: 3.9/5 Buy from: iCandy (£260) John Lewis (£260) Precious Little One (£260) The MiChair is British pushchair brand iCandy's first foray into high chairs. It launched in 2016 and is marketed as ‘the stylish high chair that turns into a beautifully crafted piece of furniture for your child’. It's a high-end high chair that converts to a chair or rocking chair for three to six-year-olds. At £260 (plus £50 for the cushions), it’s pricey, but the option to convert it means greater longevity – though not as great as the Stokke Tripp-Trapp, which can serve as a piece of furniture into adulthood. What were your first impressions of the iCandy miChair high chair? Described by the manufacturer as being ‘inspired by designer furniture’, the MiChair has certainly been conceived with the aesthetics of a modern, magazine-worthy home in mind. The combination of curved wood and plastic with high-shine chrome legs (echoing the look of iCandy pushchairs) gives the chair a luxe feel – in fact, its snazziness showed up the rest of our dining furniture! Is the iCandy MiChair easy to assemble? The high chair comes part-assembled and is easily finished using an Allen key. Converting it to a chair or rocking chair should also be straightforward; by removing the front T-bar, strap and footrest and switching between the three different leg adaptors. Unfortunately, one of these adaptors became jammed in the leg while we were testing the chair, which made it difficult to change it back. What age is the iCandy MiChair suitable for? The high chair is suitable from six to 36 months, after which it can be used up to the age of six as a rocking chair or chair. The MiChair can also be used from birth with the Newborn Pod. How secure is the iCandy MiChair? The chair feels very sturdy and didn’t rock about, even when my daughter started dancing in it! What is the safety harness like? The harness is described as optional, but as the chair is quite roomy, you may well want to use it to keep a smaller baby in place. It’s very easy to secure and adjust, with just one large button to click into, though if you have a very wriggly baby, you may feel a two-point harness isn’t sufficient to contain them. How big is the tray and is it a good height for the child? The tray is rectangular and fairly small at 29cm x 37cm. It's not adjustable, but it was at a good height for my 18-month-old and fairly close to her tummy, although she did manage to drop a lot of cereal down the gaps at her sides. The tray was just slightly higher than our dining table, which meant the chair could push neatly up to the table when not in use, without having to remove the tray. I did try feeding my daughter directly at the table without the tray, but she couldn’t get quite close enough to feed herself easily. Can you adjust the high chair in any other way? Until you convert it into a low chair, it’s not really adjustable. The seat is fixed at a fairly high 59cm. The footrest has two settings, changed using an Allen key. What is its footprint? At 55cm x 60cm the chair’s footprint is on the larger side for a fixed high chair, and the chrome bars running along the floor draw attention to this, but it’s still a lot smaller than the footprint of large folding high chairs. What is the overall quality of the iCandy MiChair? The materials are very good quality and seem durable, although the problem we had with the leg adaptor did make me question how well the chair would cope with being converted repeatedly. Is it comfortable for the child? We tested the chair without cushions and my toddler looked really happy in it, but a younger baby might need a bit of padding. As the seat is quite large in order to allow it to accommodate a child up to the age of six, younger babies may well need the optional Comfort Pack in order to be adequately supported in the chair. Is the seat padded? No. The Comfort Pack includes a cushion and seat reducer (both wipe-clean with washable covers). Can you get the child in and out easily? There was plenty of space around my daughter’s legs to allow me to get her out easily. The optional seat pad would lift her legs, perhaps making it a bit trickier to get her out. Is there adequate support for the child? The high, curved wooden backrest provides good support, and the footrest has two positions. However, as the seat is quite wide and deep, I think a smaller child would need the cushions in order to benefit from the back support. Is it easy to clean? The smooth, curved seat is very easy to wipe clean and the tray pops off easily to wipe or put in the dishwasher. Adding seat cushions would inevitably make the chair a bit harder to clean; they’re wipeable and washable, but crumbs would collect in the seams. Is it easy to store? The bottom section (the legs) can be removed, but the top part is fixed, so the chair can’t be fully dismantled. Since it’s quite large and doesn’t fold, the chair can’t easily be moved from place to place, so you’ll need to be happy for it to be a permanent fixture of your dining area until you’re ready to convert it to a children’s chair. Are there any accessories available for purchase? The Newborn Pod (RRP £155, available in four colours) allows the chair to be used from birth, bringing the child up to table level. It’s expensive, but unlike the newborn attachments on some rival high chairs, the Pod can be detached and used as a floor-level bouncer too. The Comfort Pack, including cushion and seat reducer, is another £50. Are there any special features? The ability to convert the high chair to a toddler chair or rocking chair is a nice additional feature, but if you’re planning to use the MiChair as a children’s chair with a little table, check that the chair legs will fit under it, as they’re quite wide. Overall star ratings for iCandy miChair Ease of assembly 4/5 Comfort for child 4/5 Ease of cleaning 4.5/5 Safety and security 4/5 Ease of storage 3.5/5 Value for money 3.5/5 Overall score: 3.9/5 Buy from: iCandy (£260) John Lewis (£260) Precious Little One (£260) Product specifications Age: Suitable from birth (with the Pod) to six years. Size capacity: Up to 30kg Dimensions: Height 87cm Width 56cm Depth 50cm Materials: Aluminium and wood Seat recline options: Three Seat height options: Three More on infant feeding and family mealtimes All you need to know about weaning Weaning recipes for the first year Baby-led weaning recipes Weaning safety, storage and hygiene Our top weaning recipes Toddler recipes Top 11 toddler recipes Family meal recipes Visit our family section This review was last updated in April 2019.
Investing in a good children's high chair will take you from weaning your baby through to toddlerhood and beyond. We review the BabyBjörn infant high chair – discover the results of our test.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. BabyBjörn High Chair Pros: Takes minutes to assemble, super-simple to clean, compact and lightweight for storage and travel, smart design and functionality, good support for younger babies. Cons: Compact size makes it less well suited to larger toddlers, folding system a little confusing, expensive. Overall score: 4.3/5 Buy now from Baby Bjorn (£204.99) Swedish brand BabyBjörn has a reputation for practical, minimalist Scandi design; its no-fuss baby carriers and bouncers have plenty of fans. The High Chair (simple by name and nature) follows in the same pared-back vein. The lack of adornments and adjustment options might make you wonder at the price tag, but you’re paying for clever (if not flawless) design and innovations such as the tray locking the child in place. Plus, while it’s expensive, unlike many high-end chairs it doesn’t require any add-ons – though its size might give it a more limited lifespan than some. What were your first impressions of the BabyBjörn high chair? My first reaction as I opened the box was disbelief at how tiny the chair looked. There’s no denying the BabyBjörn High Chair is extremely compact, which I ultimately found to be simultaneously one of its biggest strengths and weaknesses. Breaking the mould of traditional folding highchairs, it takes a bit of getting your head around, but it grew on me the more I used it. Is the BabyBjörn High Chair easy to assemble? The basic assembly, which simply involves slotting the legs into the base of the seat and then pulling them apart, is almost literally childsplay – I was able to put the chair together in about five minutes while my toddler played nearby. Getting the hang of the system of three buttons that adjust and fold the tray takes a bit longer. What age is the BabyBjörn High Chair suitable for? It’s intended to be suitable from around six months to approximately three years – though the seat is so small, I imagine many toddlers would grow out of it sooner. Tellingly, it’s described on the BabyBjörn website as ‘the perfect choice for your baby's first high chair’ – you may find yourself having to shell out for another later, though, depending on the size of the child, the chair should just about last until you’re ready to transfer them to a booster seat. How secure is the BabyBjörn High Chair? Despite being lightweight and slimline, the chair feels secure and doesn’t wobble. Once the tray is locked in place, the child can’t move it and their legs are held underneath it, so there’s little chance of them standing up or escaping. What is the safety harness like? The tray locks into place snugly against the baby’s tummy and acts as the main form of restraint, but BabyBjörn have now added a three-point harness for another layer of protection. The harness is secured and undone while the tray table is folded down and because of this I found it relatively easy to access, despite the fact it sits very low on the child. How big is the tray and is it a good height for the child? The tray is on the petite side (25 x 43cm) with a shallow rim, meaning one disdainful swipe could see your child’s dinner landing on the floor. It also looked a little low for my 18-month-old. There are three settings to bring the tray snugly up to the child’s tummy in order to hold them in place – something my headstrong toddler didn’t especially appreciate, but which would be really useful for a younger baby. The close-fitting tray is also designed to help keep food from falling into the baby’s lap – though I found my daughter’s bibs trailed on the tray, so her clothes didn’t escape totally unscathed. Can you adjust the highchair in any other way? No. The seat appears low but is actually around the same height as other fixed-height chairs, at 56cm, and it was at a good level for our table. The footrest is also moulded into the seat, so can’t be moved. The tray is integrated, meaning the chair can’t be pushed right up to the dining table – a disadvantage given the smallness of the tray, as it means toddlers can’t easily sit in the chair to do messy crafts that require more space. On the whole, though, I didn’t miss the array of adjustment options that come with some other highchairs, as this chair does the basics very well. What is its footprint? The footprint is a relatively modest 55cm x 54cm, with slim legs that make it appear smaller, making it a good option for smaller homes (and it’s easy to fold up flat, if space is really at a premium). What is the overall quality of the BabyBjörn High Chair? The chair is proof that not all plastics are created equal – it’s smart-looking (available in white as well as the mint green version we tested), sturdy, smooth to the touch and largely very smooth to manipulate. The only slightly awkward and clunky element is moving the legs; it wasn’t immediately obvious how to hold the chair as you open and close them, which led to my banging my legs a couple of times. Is it comfortable for the child? The moulded plastic seat with its rounded edges reminded me of Eames-style chairs and looked very comfortable, despite the lack of padding. The snugness of the chair may make the child look a bit squeezed, but probably helps to make them feel secure. Is the seat padded? No – the chair is designed to be comfortable enough without padding, and the lack of cushions helps to make it easy to clean. Can you get the child in and out easily? The tray is folded down in order to get the child in and out. This is a simple, one-handed operation once you get the hang of it, but I didn’t find it totally intuitive, because a different combination of buttons is used to fold the tray upwards for storage. This is worth bearing in mind if you're leaving someone else to feed the child, as they’d need to be able to whisk them out of the chair quickly in an emergency. With the tray folded down, the child feels a little precarious in the shallow seat, so you need to keep one hand on them while moving the tray and doing up the harness. Again, this becomes easier with practice. Is there adequate support for the child? I initially couldn’t believe there was enough depth in the seat for my daughter to even fit into it, and she did look strangely perched in the chair, but the snug-fitting tray and curved backrest held her in an upright posture and the footrest was at a good level for her. Now that she’s a bit older, she perhaps doesn’t need (or want) quite this degree of support; we used a Bumbo when first weaning her, and the BabyBjörn provides a similar level of structure which is really helpful when feeding a child who can only just sit unaided. Is it easy to clean? The chair is the easiest I’ve come across to clean – something you really appreciate when you’re constantly clearing up. Its smooth, curved shape and lack of nooks and crannies makes it very easy to wipe down; plus the close-fitting tray means very little food ends up on the seat in the first place. When not in use, the harness stands slightly proud of the seat, helping to keep it out of the way as you clean, and it sits low on the child, meaning it steers clear of soup splashes. The tray has a cover that pops off easily and can go in the dishwasher (and as it’s not very big, it doesn’t take up the whole shelf). Is it easy to store? It’s light (5kg) and easy to carry from one room to another. With the legs closed (or popped off) and the tray folded, the chair is only 26cm wide, making it extremely neat for storage and very easy to transport for holidays – it would be especially good for camping trips. Are there any accessories available for purchase? No. It’s a simple but comprehensive product, with no additional bells and whistles required. Overall star ratings for BabyBjörn High Chair Ease of assembly 4.5/5 Comfort for child 4/5 Ease of cleaning 5/5 Safety and security 4/5 Ease of storage 5/5 Value for money 3.5/5 Overall score: 4.3/5 Buy now from Baby Bjorn (£204.99) Product specifications Age: The high chair can be used once a child can sit unsupported, from six months to approximately three years. Size capacity: Maximum weight 15 kg Maximum height 95 cm Dimensions: Weight: 5 kg Unfolded height: 83 cm Folded dimensions: 89 x 44 x 25 cm Materials BPA-free plastic and painted steel. More on infant feeding and family mealtimes... All you need to know about weaning Weaning recipes for the first year Baby-led weaning recipes Weaning safety, storage and hygeine Our top weaning recipes Toddler recipes Top 11 toddler recipes Family meal recipes Visit our family section This review was last updated in February 2020.
No-fuss Margherita or all-out meat feast, thin and crispy or deep-pan - what do you think makes the perfect pizza?
As any Italian will tell you, a pizza shouldn't be messed about with. I may have come across some of the most disgusting-sounding toppings in a pizzeria in the northern city of Turin ('Irish pizza' with stewed beef and potatoes, 'Russian' with caviar and vodka), but I'm pretty sure that was just for the tourists. In fact the citizens of Naples, who are credited with inventing the pizza as we know it in 1889 in honour of the king's wife, Margherita, secured official EU protected status for their pizza, to distinguish it from inferior imitations. For a pizza to be called Neopolitan, amongst other stipulations it must be topped with genuine buffalo mozzarella and the tastiest San Marzano tomatoes. Not everyone's content to keep it simple though. At New Year, my housemates and I tested two pizza recipes, pitching a Gordon Ramsay pizza against a reader's. Both recipes were restrained on the toppings, much to my housemates' disappointment. Where was the pepperoni? To my mind, a plain Margherita can be just as satisfying as a pizza with five toppings. It all comes down to getting the basic elements right - if they're good enough, a pizza needs no embellishments. Let's start with the dough. Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi of the Cucina Caldesi cookery school in London use Italian beer in theirs, the added yeastiness making it really bubbly and springy. Cookery writer Jane Hornby saves time by not leaving her dough to rise - she says it's not necessary for a thin-based pizza. I prefer a more open-textured crust, so I usually let the dough rise overnight (sometimes it does go a bit crazy and spill over the bowl, but that's half the fun). Then there's the crispness factor. Nothing beats the intense heat and smoky flavour that comes from a proper wood-burning oven, but if you're cooking pizza at home, the Caldesis advise turning the oven to its highest temperature and placing a pizza stone on the top shelf to heat up, before placing the pizza directly onto it and quickly shutting the door. Jane Hornby suggests preheating an upturned tray if you don't have a pizza stone, which I find works really well. Gordon Ramsay pan-fries the bases before adding the toppings and putting them under the grill, but I find this leaves the middle a bit under-cooked. As for toppings, all the chefs seem to agree that it's best to be sparing with the sauce and not go too mad on extras, so as to avoid overloading the base and making it soggy. My favourite toppings are garlic prawns (yes, I know, shellfish and cheese is a big no-no to Italians but it's what my mamma makes), artichokes or aubergine and ricotta. More pizza inspiration... Our favourite pizza recipes How to make pizza video All our pizza recipes Best pizza ovens What do you think makes the perfect pizza? Share your ideas with us below. We have lots of pizza recipes on our site too.