High chairs: When do you need one and what are they used for?
A high chair helps your child sit safely at the table from an early age.
Once weaning begins, a high chair quickly becomes an essential part of everyday life. It makes feeding easier, supports an upright sitting position, and helps create relaxed family meals. As a result, a high chair often stays with your family for several years – from the first spoonfuls to shared meals at the table.
The most important thing is to choose a high chair that suits your child’s age and abilities. Not every high chair is right for every stage.
When is a high chair useful?
Making a clear distinction is especially important here, particularly when choosing a high chair for babies.
A classic high chair is only suitable once your child can sit independently. Your baby should be able to sit upright and steadily on their own to avoid putting strain on their back.
A high chair with a newborn attachment can be used from birth. It allows your baby to lie in an ergonomic position while still being at table height.
Safety & guidance
Our high chairs meet common European safety standards (e.g. DIN EN 14988). Newborn attachments are tested separately (e.g. in accordance with EN 12790).
What matters most is using the high chair appropriately for your child’s age: from birth only with a newborn attachment, and as a classic high chair once your child can sit independently.
Frequently asked questions about high chairs
Trends & smart designs in high chairs
When choosing a high chair, many families opt for adjustable designs that can be adapted over several years. Step-style wooden high chairs are particularly popular, as they offer excellent stability and can be flexibly adjusted to suit your child’s height and stage of development.
Modular solutions also play an important role. High chairs that can be expanded with a newborn attachment or additional accessories support everyday family life from the start of weaning through to the toddler years.
Well-known brands such as hauck are recognised for thoughtfully designed high chair systems built for everyday practicality and long-term use.
Key facts at a glance
Lifespan
Adjustable high chairs are designed for long-term use and often support your child for many years – from the start of weaning through toddlerhood and sometimes even into the early school years.
Weight capacity
High chairs are built for everyday family life and are designed to support different weight ranges depending on the model. Simpler designs are typically intended for younger children, while adjustable step high chairs can often carry significantly more weight – in some cases over 100 kg. This makes them suitable for extended use.
Safety in everyday use
High chairs and compatible accessories are developed for use with babies and children and are designed in line with common European safety standards.
High chair with newborn attachment – from day one
A high chair with a newborn attachment lets your baby join you at table height from birth. Your baby lies safely supported, can always see you and stays close to the action while you sit together at the table. This means the high chair becomes part of everyday family life early on – even before your child can sit unaided.
Weaning & Feeding
Once you start weaning, the high chair quickly becomes part of your daily routine. Your baby sits upright and secure while trying first tastes independently or while you feed spoonful by spoonful. With your baby well supported, you have both hands free and can stay in control. This makes the start of weaning simpler and more relaxed.
Learning to eat independently
Over time, the high chair becomes your child’s regular seat at the table. As they grow more confident, they learn to use cutlery, reach for food and take an active part in family meals – sitting safely and at eye level with everyone else.
Play & activities
Many families use the high chair for more than just mealtimes. With the right accessories, it can also be used for drawing, crafts or short play sessions, when your child should sit safely at the table and you want to keep them close and in sight.
Everyday life with more than one child
In busy family life, especially with siblings, a high chair is particularly practical. Your child has a fixed, secure place at the table while you take care of other tasks or look after brothers and sisters at the same time.
Small or limited spaces
If space is limited, adjustable high chairs are a smart solution. They can be used for many years and replace several separate seating options for different stages of your child’s development.
Choosing a high chair: How to find the right model
To make sure your high chair suits your everyday family life, it helps to look at the key criteria first. This allows you to quickly narrow down which model makes sense for your child and your living space.
Your child’s age & stage of development
The key question is whether your child can already sit unaided:
If you are specifically looking for a solution from birth, you can find suitable models here: high chairs with newborn attachment.
Adjustable or Compact?
Many families choose an adjustable step high chair because it can be used for several years. For a long-term solution, models with an adjustable seat and footrest are especially practical.
Accessories: What makes everyday life easier?
High chair accessories aren’t essential, but they can make a real difference to everyday comfort. Depending on your child’s age and your routine, the following can be especially useful:
Brand selection
If you already know which brand you prefer, you can narrow down your choice straight away – for example, with high chairs from hauck.
More FAQs about high chairs
