Baby eating in their Nova Highchair in Scandinavian Walnut & Ecru

Everything New Parents Need To Know About Highchairs: From First Bites To Safety Tips

Posted by Joe Junkovic on

Starting solids is one of those big, messy, joy-filled milestones in your baby’s first year. But alongside the excitement comes a lot of questions—especially around choosing the right highchair.

From safety and comfort to cleaning ease and how your baby develops, there’s more to this everyday essential than meets the eye. So let’s break it down, gently.

 

When Should Babies Start Using A Highchair?

It’s one of the most common questions new parents ask: When should babies start using a highchair?

In most cases, you’ll introduce a highchair around 6 months—when your baby can:

 

  • Sit up with little to no support

  • Hold their head steady

  • Show interest in solid food

This aligns with NHS guidance, which recommends starting solids at about 6 months.

If you’re using a highchair from birth, like the Nova Highchair,, early use is possible—just for supervised rest or play, not feeding. Wait for those tell-tale signs of readiness before offering their first bites upright.

 

When Can A Baby Hold Its Head Up?

Before using a highchair for mealtimes, your baby needs to be able to support their own head. This usually happens between 4–6 months.

Why does it matter? Because slouching in a highchair can affect your baby’s breathing, feeding, and spinal development. If your baby can sit with minimal support and hold their head up steadily, they’re likely ready for the seat at the table—short stints at first, always with supervision.

 


What To Look For In A Safe Baby Highchair

Safety isn’t just a checklist—it’s peace of mind. A good highchair should feel solid, secure, and give your little one proper support.

 

Top safety features to look for:

 

  • A five-point harness to keep baby safe and snug

  • A broad, stable base to prevent tipping

  • Anti-slip feet or lockable wheels

  • Smooth, rounded edges

  • Certified to UK/EU standard BS EN 14988

The Nova Highchair was designed with all of this in mind—because style means more when it’s built around substance.

 

Ease Of Cleaning: For The Real Mess Of Mealtimes

Let’s be honest—babies are enthusiastic eaters (and not always accurate ones). Your highchair will see its fair share of mushy banana and cereal splats.

 

Look for:

 

  • Removable, wipe-clean trays

  • Machine-washable fabrics

  • Minimal nooks and crannies where crumbs hide

  • Surfaces that rinse down easily after every meal

Parenting isn’t easy. Cleaning should be.

 

Types Of Highchairs: Which One Fits Your Family?

There’s no one-style-fits-all when it comes to highchairs. It depends on your space, your lifestyle, and your baby’s needs.

 

Common Types Include:

 

  • Traditional highchairs – classic, stable, and made for mealtimes.

  • Highchair from birth – with a reclining seat or newborn insert (like the Nova Highchair)

  • Convertible highchairs – grow with your child into toddler and junior seating

  • Foldable highchairs – ideal for smaller homes or for taking to grandparents’

Nova’s clever design means it adapts to all of these stages, with multiple seating modes in one compact footprint.


Highchair Extras That Actually Help

Not all extras are just “nice to have”—some really do improve your daily rhythm.

 

Worth Considering:

 

  • Adjustable tray and footrest for ergonomic feeding

  • Toy bar or arch for newborn engagement

  • Travel-friendly seat mode for days out or visits

  • Neutral colours and wood finishes that suit your home**

  • Handy storage basket for baby essentials

 

The Nova Highchair brings all this together—with a soft-touch seat, easy-clean tray, and beautiful beechwood legs that elevate the look of your space (not just the baby).

 

Quick Checklist: What To Look For In A Baby Highchair

 

  • Safe, stable design with harness and wide base

  • Easy-clean tray and wipeable surfaces

  • Suitable highchair from birth features

  • Grows with your child—up to toddler and beyond

  • Fits neatly into your home

  • Trusted reviews and brand reputation

Why Parents Love The Nova Highchair

The Nova Highchair is one of Tutti Bambini’s most loved and versatile designs—and with good reason. It’s not just a seat. It’s a supportive space that adapts to your child’s growth and your family’s needs.

Diagram showing 7 modes of the Nova evolutionary highchair from 6 months to 12 years, including highchair, booster, toddler, and kids seat.*

Key Features:

 

  • 7-in-1 setup: from highchair to toddler chair to junior seat

  • Optional cushioned insert for comfort

  • Elegant beechwood legs and modern finishes

  • Adjustable footrest and tray for custom fit

 

From Our Home To Yours: What Parents Say

Baby seated in the Nova Evolutionary Highchair shown on phone screen with customer review praising its versatility across age gaps

 

Final Thoughts

A good highchair is more than a piece of furniture—it’s where memories (and mealtimes) are made. From trying that first apple purée to laughing through the finger food stage, it’s all part of your evolving family rhythm.

 

With its thoughtful details and clever adaptability, the Nova Highchair helps turn everyday moments into something calmer, easier, and just a little more joyful.

 

Explore the Nova Highchair and other weaning essentials from Tutti Bambini here.

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