It's time to buy a highchair when your child is ready to eat solid foods. A free standing highchair is considered by most parents to be one of the most indispensable baby products you'll ever buy.

It's easier to feed your baby, since you can sit directly in front of the highchair. Some of the newer highchairs recline a little for young infants and then eventually transform into a youth chair for a toddler. As your child grows, so do these adaptable highchairs.

Most highchairs are used daily for 2 or 3 years, so be sure it is durable. Try to find one that suits your taste. The styles include the classic wooden highchair, metal framed, or an all plastic model.

Some parents want a wooden highchair, not being able to resist their old fashioned charm. However, wooden highchairs are usually not practical. If you want a wood one for an infant, determine if the seat will be too deep and if the footrest will be too low before purchasing. The wood trays are usually harder to clean, not as stain resistant and heavier than plastic or metal trays. Most wooden highchairs do not fold, so moving one around is burdensome.

A basic metal or plastic framed highchair will meet your feeding needs. Although they may not be much to look at, they are the most economical priced and have some nice features. Some of the features are that they are usually light weight; they fold up and are relatively small for easy storage and portability.

The newer, full featured highchairs offer the most convenience for you and are comfortable for your child. Some of the features are: thicker padded seats, easy to detach trays, easy clean up and many offer reclining seats for small infants. Some even have wheels for moving from kitchen to dining room and back. These highchairs will adjust to accommodate your growing child's needs.

Here are some features to take into consideration when looking at highchairs.

Stability: Look for a sturdy chair that will be hard to tip over, such as one having a wide base.

Comfort: Even an economical, basic chair should be well padded. Make sure the padding won't easily puncture and is thick. If you plan on buying a wooden highchair, also buy a cushion to make it more comfortable for your child.

Safety: The restraint system should secure across the hips and between the legs to prevent your child from standing or slipping out from under the tray. The safety buckle should be too hard for a child to open. Highchairs with wheels should have a lock to keep them from rolling accidentally. Make sure to check the seat for sharp edges and look for holes and sharp edges in the tray. Wooden highchairs should be free of splinters; the grain and finish should be smooth.

Cleaning: Food will get in every crevice possible. Be sure to check the seat, tray, harness and frame to determine how easy it will be to clean. Plastic or vinyl for the seat is a must to easily wipe clean. Stay away from chairs with uncovered fabric seats since they are nearly impossible to keep clean and will stain.

Tray Removal: Try to find a chair with one hand tray removal. This will be a valuable feature when you only have one hand free and a squirming baby in the other.

Adjustability: This feature can make feeding time more comfortable for everyone. Height adjustments will accommodate varying size tables. A reclining seat is good for young babies. Footrests that adjust to fit your child's growth is a nice feature also.

Prices: Prices depend on the type of highchair you choose. Expect to pay between $70 - $150 for a wooden highchair. Basic metal or plastic frame models usually run between $30 - $100. The modern, full featured chairs typically cost between $120 - $180.