The very best highchair

It took us four kids to finally end up with a hanging highchair—the kind that anchors onto the side of the counter or table—and I can’t believe we didn’t get one eight years ago. Well, that’s not true. I know why we began with a traditional highchair. It was a shower gift, and we were brand-new parents, and a regular old highchair was just how you rolled. But I’m going to spare you the same experience. Here’s why you should get the very superior hanging version right after you finish reading this.

Function
Traditional highchairs come in no fewer than eight million versions and varieties. With wheels or without, removable trays, snap-on compartments, seats that adjust all over the place (a reclined position so baby can take a nap the nanosecond that last bite goes down the hatch? I’m not really sure), removable covers … and on and on. Having options can be good, but really, let’s keep the entire point in mind. The hanging highchair has a seatbelt and a basic support system for clamping into place. It comes in a few colors, but across the board, it’s straightforward and easy. No tray to wrestle with, no seat height to adjust. Even better, it folds up and stashes away wonderfully in the nearest drawer or cabinet. The standard highchair, on the other hand, becomes a permanent part of your décor. Even the ultra-modern jobs take up a good amount of space.
A bonus for the hanging seat: Your baby gets to sit at the table with you, not alongside you. It seems like a little thing, but our almost 7-month-old is really pumped to join the family when we eat. She’ll hang out for ages with us, waving spoons and banging her hands on the table.
Aesthetics
Yes, the traditional highchair can complement your modern or traditional style, but it’s still a highchair. Do you really want to make a statement with the thing? And if you do, don’t plan to actually feed your baby in it. No matter how careful you are, highchairs always end up filthy. Mashed sweet potato rubbed into the fabric, banana chunks wedged in impossible to reach places, the inevitable spaghetti and tomato sauce episode when your kiddo is a little older—I promise, you’ll be stunned at how fast this thing becomes a mess magnet. And that’s what’s so great about the hanging version—there are almost no spots for crumbs and drips to hide, so clean up is easy. It’s discreet if you leave it out, and it takes up no actual footprint. Plus, you have the option of removing it altogether when your baby isn’t using it.
There are a few instances when a hanging chair isn’t an option. Some brands only work with tables that fit a few parameters, so do a bit of homework before you buy one. And when you do, expect to pay under $100. I told you these things are awesome.