The Best Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly High Chairs

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What to Look for in a High Chair? 

Is your little one ready for solid foods? When shopping for a high chair, the things we prioritize are making sure it is safe, non-toxic and easy to clean (for sanitary reasons and your sanity!). Choosing non-toxic materials is so important for a high chair because your child's food will be touching these surfaces and then entering their little bodies! If you are already prioritizing feeding your child healthy foods at meal times, you'll want to make sure they are eating off non-toxic surfaces as well! 

When we were shopping for a high chair for our daughter, I was overwhelmed with the vast options on the market - especially because a high chair wasn't the only thing we were shopping for as first time parents! I didn't know where to begin, or what I should prioritize. So I started to research which high chair features were important to reduce the risk of choking and reading product reviews of the most popular high chairs. While this still gave me many options to choose from, I also really cared about it being non-toxic - and that is when the list became much smaller. 

So many high chairs on the market today are made from plastics that are filled with chemicals we couldn't begin to rationalize putting in a surface our children will be eating off of, and yet, the majority are! It is saddening and maddening to think that companies would risk exposing our children to harmful chemicals and substances, but since it makes them more money, they don't seem to care - but I do! 

It can be difficult to choose what things we are willing to compromise on, because choosing non-toxic everything for our children really adds up expense wise. The way we looked at it was by thinking about the frequency of contact our daughter would have with the item. A LOT of contact was the answer for her high chair. So we decided to prioritize this as one of our must have non-toxic items. 

Since choosing a non-toxic high chair would be more expensive, we wanted to select an item that would last for all our children, and could be used as something else after - which led us straight to the Lalo 3-in-1 chair!

Where Sustainability Comes In

We do also try to think about sustainability whenever we are making a new purchase. Many "traditional high chairs" are made from plastic and break easily - which is the opposite of a sustainable item! So in terms of eco-friendlier high chair shopping, we tried to find something that was made from wood (instead of plastic), ideally FSC-certified woods. We also opted for a convertible high chair for maximum versatility.

The convertible chair we chose by Lalo (#1 on our list) turns from high chair to booster seat to play chair - increasing it's usefulness and lifespan, which we love!

It's also great when a company allows you to buy replacement parts, because that further extends the lifespan of the piece!

Key Features

To break it down, here are the features we look for and prioritize in a high chair: 

Safety Features:

  • Sturdy base

  • Adjustable footrest

  • Safety straps / safety harness

Non-Toxic Features:

  • Safe materials (wood over plastic)

  • Non-toxic, water-based paints, stains and finishes 

  • Plastic that is free from harmful chemicals including BPA, phthalates, PVC

  • Free from flame retardants

Easy Cleaning Features:

  • Machine washable fabrics

  • ​Removable, dishwasher safe tray

The following list includes our favorite high chairs that check our boxes in each of these areas, so hopefully you'll find the right high chair for your home too! 

Our Favorite Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly High Chairs

1. Lalo The Chair Convertible 3-in-1 High Chair

This is our favorite high chair, and in my opinion, the best high chair out there!

The Convertible 3-in-1 Chair by Lalo is the ergonomic high chair that what we chose for our daughter. It is beautifully made and features the ability to transform from high chair, to toddler booster seat, to play chair! We still have it set up as a high chair, but will eventually be turning it into a play chair when our daughter can sit in a big chair at the dinner table! The play chair would look great in any modern nursery or play room, and holds up to 200 lbs, making it great for older kids too! 

The legs are made form sustainably sourced beachwood and a water based finish. The plastic, featured in the seat and food tray, is non-toxic and dishwasher safe for easy maintenance and cleaning! This highchair also features an adjustable seat rest, which is important for safety in terms of reducing the risk of choking by allowing for proper posture while eating. The cotton seat cover is another great feature, adding comfort for your child - and the best part is when its dirty you can throw it in your washing machine for a quick and easy clean! It also comes in different colors, so you're sure to find one that matches your home aesthetic! 

  • Five-point harness

  • Made form sustainably sourced beachwood

  • Water based finish

  • Cotton seat cushion

  • Non-toxic plastic seat and tray

  • Product dimensions: 24.5"D x 24.5"W x 33"H

(affiliate link)

The Catchy Lalo Accessory

We use this with our Lalo high chair! It is a life saver and a food saver!

It is made from an approved food safe and BPA-free material, so when food falls, this catchy, catches it, and you can simply set it back on your child’s plate! My daughter went through a phase where she thought it was so silly to drop her food off her plate - thankfully, that food didn’t get wasted since we had our catchy ready to go!! My husband wished he had thought of this invention himself!!

(affiliate link)

2. Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

The Tripp Trapp High Chair by Stokke receives a ton of positive feedback, and for good reason! Stokke makes some of the best non-toxic high chairs, featuring sturdy wood construction and bisphenol a (BPA)-free plastic that is dishwasher safe!

This adjustable wooden high chair is high quality, durable and built to last! The wooden footrest is the most adjustable option we have seen, which helps ensure correct posture for your little one! 

This tripptrapp chair can hold up to 300 lbs and transforms from a high chair to a regular chair for older children for everyday use! 

This high chair is slightly smaller than the Lalo chair, so if you are working with small spaces, this could be a good option for you! 

  • Adjustable, well fitted footrest

  • JPMA certified

  • Product dimensions: 18"D x 18"W x 31"H

(affiliate link)

Stokke Tray, Black

This tray is an accessory for the Tripp Trapp High Chair if you prefer to use a tray as opposed to pulling the high chair directly up to your dinner table. The tray itself is removable, dishwasher safe and BPA-free. 

  • BPA-free

  • Dishwasher safe

(affiliate link)

Tripp Trapp Classic Cushion 2

This cushion for the Tripp Trapp high chair is made with organic cotton, machine washable and adds a touch of comfort for your little one! It also comes in different color and pattern options, so you can choose one that matches your home best! 

(affiliate link)

3. Stokke Nomi High Chair

The Stokke Nomi High Chair is ergonomic, modern and a great option all around! Style wise, it is one of my favorite high chairs, and if I was ever buying another one, this is the one I would choose! 

It has an adjustable footrest to ensure correct posture for your child while eating, which is essential! The center, wooden stem is made from European Oak / Beachwood. 

  • 5-point safety harness

  • Anti-tilt wheels

  • Easy-to-adjust footrest for your child's height

  • Holds up to 330 lbs

(affiliate link)

4. Stokke Clikk High Chair

This is another good option! It looks similar to the Lalo high chair, but it only holds up to 33 lbs. The adjustable foot rest offers two position options, similar to the Lalo. The harness is machine washable, and the tray is dishwasher safe.

The coolest thing about this high chair is that it is light weight and travel friendly! 

  • JPMA certified

  • 5-point safety harness

  • Product dimensions: 23.01"D x 17.55"W x 11.7"H

(affiliate link)

BONUS: Our Mealtime Favorites

I also wanted to include our favorite, non-toxic serveware for littles! We use this set by Ahimsa for our daughter, and would never use anything else!

Ahimsa Stainless Steel Plates for Kids

This set is crafted from 100% 304 18/8 stainless steel, ensuring nothing toxic touches your child's food! The set we got came with a plate, spoon, fork and cup. We chose the rainbow option, and my daughter loves it (I think it's really cute too!)

Our daughter has never had issues with throwing plates, but we still appreciate that this set is non-breakable!

We use her Lalo chair without the removable tray. We have her high chair pulled up directly to our big table, and then set a plate out for her, just like we do for us! Once we started doing this we think she started to really feel like she was a part of the family dinner, which is exactly what we wanted! 

To note, this set is not microwave safe! When we want to microwave something for her, we place it in a glass, microwave safe dish, and then put the food on her plate to serve. 

  • 100% recycled stainless steel

  • Dishwasher safe (thank you from a busy parent!!) 

  • Free from harmful substances including BPA, PVC, phthalates, melamine and lead

(affiliate link)

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? 

If you didn't find something on this list that works for your family, or are looking for a more affordable price, here are some thighs to prioritize while shopping: 

  • Plastic free from BPA, PVC, phthalates

  • Easy to clean and sanitize 

  • Safe and ergonomic with an adjustable foot rest

Your child's high chair will get a lot of use, so choosing one that is safe matters. There are many options on the market today, which I know can be overwhelming! 

We recommend that you try to prioritize the features that matter most to you. By doing this you are sure to find one that works for your home! 

For new parents and experienced parents alike, I also wanted to note that you are doing a great job by researching less toxic options for your little one(s). Even if it seems overwhelming at times, know that you are benefiting the health and future health of your little one. But also remember that you don't have to strive for perfection here - there is no way to truly remove all risk, no matter what you do or how hard you try. 

Our goal is always to do our best and minimize risk and exposure to our little ones, wherever possible. It took me a long time to realize this, though. When I was a new mom I wanted to put my baby in a little bubble, protect her from anything and everything, especially hazardous chemicals! I tried to find products that were 100% non-toxic, and it became an obsession! Not only were many of these products SO expensive, many times there were no options available that were actually, truly non-toxic. And this is when I started to learn to compromise with myself. I had to decide which things were most impactful to the health of my daughter, and which things weren't actually that big of a deal. Once I learned to do this, take a step back and take a deep breath, I was so much happier and less stressed/overwhelmed. 

Again, you are doing a great job, and you've got this! 

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