We spend hours researching, speaking to parents, analysing data and listening to experts before we test out the products on our shortlist.

As child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed says, sitting your child at your eye level and at (or close to) the rest of the family at mealtimes aids their development. These are the big guns of the group – the chairs intended to last as standalone models in babyhood and then convert to table-side models that can be used in toddlerhood, childhood and even beyond. Can’t be used without an adult dining chair to hold it – not convenient for everyone’s dining situation An almost 50-year-old classic, the robust and intelligently designed Stokke Tripp Trapp continues to perform well for kids of any age. Solidly constructed from high-quality wood and available in a dizzying array of colours, the Tripp Trapp is a firm favourite on our forums – especially second-hand.

Why you should trust us

It seems like only yesterday you were shopping around for the best breast pump or baby bottles for feeding your little one, now they're ready to graduate to sitting at the table and eating solid foods. But there's more to weaning than just making sure there's an Ella's pouch in your changing bag at all times, and thankfully Mumsnetters are on hand to help you navigate this messy time.

For this category, Rachel partnered with Katrĩna, who has a nine-month-old baby and a 33-month-old toddler to juggle at mealtimes, so was able to put all our products through their paces over the course of three months.

It’s a good idea to read up on their specs before choosing one to make sure you’ll be able to use it safely. It’s helpful when travel chairs collapse to a portable size and many come with their own carry cases or shoulder straps to help with this. Whether they're weaning at 6 months, doing arts and crafts, or simply enjoying their time at the table with everyone, this essential piece of equipment can come in very handy from a young age. They come in a range of materials, depending on your style and needs, including plastic and wooden.

There’s no such thing as ‘one perfect high chair’. Depending on both you and your child’s specific needs and the setup of your home, differences in style, materials and size are required. That said, we hope the variety of chairs outlined within this article helps steer you in the right direction – and makes the thought of a family sit down dinner less chaotic. Type: Freestanding highchair which converts into a toddler chair | Materials: Not stated | Suitable from: 6 months+ | Harness: Yes | Wheels?: No What we love

Once your child has outgrown their highchair, the next step is moving them to a booster seat at the dining table. It will allow your little one to feel more grown-up sitting around the dinner table and will take up less space than a highchair. Your child should be ready to use a booster seat at home and in restaurants anywhere from 18 to 24 months. Getting the wiggles out before mealtimes can burn off some of your baby's energy. This way, they're less likely to want to move around once it's mealtime. Let them have some tummy time, get them crawling or jumping around before you sit them in their chair. Alas, it wasn't perfect as a couple of the bolts supplied to attach the beautiful brass handle to the bottom drawer were too short so I couldn't open the drawer. Now this is where a company shows how much they care about customer service. The most common age that a baby will start needing a highchair is around the six-month-old mark because babies typically begin to sit up on their own and eat solid foods at this stage in their development. How do I get my baby to stay in their highchair? Highchairs have come a long way in the last couple of decades as companies have begun to apply intelligent design to baby equipment. There are several broad types on the market, so consider which functions are important to you before making your choice. 1. Budget highchairs

Transitional-style chair – can be used from birth with a baby bouncer attachment, from six months with a baby set, and indefinitely as a chair after three years or 15kg Big gap between tray and the baby, even in its closest setting – a little inconvenient for mealtimes The relevant safety directive to look out for is EU directive EN 14988:2017, which specifically sets out standards for children’s highchairs.

What comes after a highchair?

Another Stokke chair to feature on our list, the Steps is a stylish highchair that can be used from birth. There's no doubt about it, it's a pricey piece of baby equipment but for the price tag you get a good quality high chair that your child will get plenty of use out of. Bought a Tutti Bambini nursery furniture set from this company and the quality and finish if the set is lovely all round. From the tough rubbery paint coating to the knurled brass handles. Even the wardrobe hanger rail has motion-sensored integrated LEDs so when you open the doors it illuminates the interior. Very swish. This kid has a swankier wardrobe than I've ever had. Cleaning: As mums, we know how messy our tots can be. So for many parents, it's important to find a high chair that's easy to clean. We've included the materials in our list so you can see how easy it will be to keep clean. Does your bubba not like sitting in their highchair? Solid Starts has some top tips for keeping your little one seated.