Selecting a high chair is one of those baby gear decisions that often feels simple—but it’s actually incredibly important for your child’s development, comfort, and safety during mealtimes.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I look at high chairs a little differently than most. It’s not just about aesthetics or ease of cleaning—it’s about posture, stability, and function.

Let’s break down what really matters.

The Foundation: Proper Positioning

When a child is seated for eating, we ideally want their body in a well-supported, functional position:

• Hips at about 90 degrees
• Knees at about 90 degrees
• Ankles at about 90 degrees
• Feet fully supported

This position gives children a stable base so they can focus on what matters most—using their hands and mouth to explore and eat food.

If a child is slumped, leaning, or struggling to stay upright, they end up putting a lot of energy into just sitting. That takes away from their ability to:

• Bring food to their mouth
• Chew and swallow safely
• Develop fine motor and oral motor skills

And from a safety standpoint, good posture helps reduce choking risk because the body is aligned for more coordinated eating.

Why Foot Support Is So Important

One of the most overlooked features in high chairs is foot support.

Think about sitting on a tall bar stool with your feet dangling—you don’t feel very stable or comfortable. You might shift around, lean, or feel fatigued quickly.

Children experience the same thing—but even more intensely.

When their feet are supported, they:

• Feel more grounded and secure
• Have better trunk stability
• Can use their hands more effectively
• Stay engaged longer during meals

If your child struggles in their high chair, this is one of the first things I recommend evaluating.

Simple Fixes and Adaptations

Not all high chairs are designed with ideal support in mind—but there are ways to improve what you already have.

If your child needs extra stability:

• Use rolled-up towels or washcloths for side or back support
• Make sure they’re sitting upright, not slumped

If your high chair doesn’t have a footrest (or it’s too low):

• For the popular IKEA Antilop High Chair, you can add a footrest like the one from Yeah Baby Goods—a simple and effective upgrade.
• A DIY option:
  Use bungee cords (from a hardware store like Home Depot) to secure a stack of books, yoga block, or a weighted bin onto the foot bar. This allows you to adjust the height until your child’s feet are properly supported.

These small changes can make a big difference.

What to Look for in a High Chair

When choosing a high chair, prioritize:

• Adjustable footrest height
• Adjustable seat height
• Good trunk support
• A stable, upright seating position

Adaptability over time is key—your child will grow, and the chair should grow with them.

Some of My Favorite High Chairs

There are many great options available. Here are a few I often recommend to families:

• Stokke Tripp Trapp
• Nomi High Chair
• Abiie Beyond Junior High Chair
• Keekaroo Height Right High Chair
• Cybex Lemo High Chair
• Mockingbird High Chair

Each of these offers strong adjustability and better support than many traditional high chairs—but even with a great chair, small adjustments can still make a meaningful difference.

Final Thoughts

There are many wonderful high chairs on the market, and you don’t need the “perfect” one to support your child well.

What matters most is this:

Is your child stable, supported, and comfortable?

When their body is well-positioned, everything else—self-feeding, coordination, and safe eating—becomes easier.

If mealtimes feel challenging, take a moment to look at positioning. Sometimes, the solution isn’t about the food at all—it’s about the chair.