What is the Difference Between High Chair and Booster Seat

The main difference between high chair and booster seat is that high chairs are sturdy and steady and come with safety harness while booster seats are light and portable.

High chairs and booster chairs are baby chairs that encourage feeding in the upright position. A high chair is a tall chair that stands on the floor on its own legs while a booster seat is a short seat that has to be fixed on top of an existing chair. There are several factors to consider when making a decision between a high chair and booster seat.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a High Chair 
     – Definition, Features, Pros and Cons
2. What is a Booster Seat
     – Definition, Features, Pros and Cons
3. What is the Difference Between High Chair and Booster Seat
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Booster Seat, Feeding Chair, High Chair

What is a High Chair

A high chair is a tall chair that stands on the floor on its own legs, used to feed babies. You can use the high chair for seating your baby at the dining table. These chairs come in different designs. Some even have extra padding to give babies a comfortable experience at mealtime. Many of these also come with adjustable seat heights. Another main feature in high chairs is small safety belts that allow you to strap your child in so that that he or she won’t wriggle out and fall off the chair.

You can start using high chairs when your baby is only a few months old. Babies usually learn to sit independently from four months onwards. High chairs can support babies’ bodies. Since they provide back support, the longer you can keep the baby in a high chair, the better. Babies usually don’t outgrow these chairs until they are about three years old.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Sturdy and steady for everyday use
• Can be used when the baby is only a few months old
• Include soft padding and is comfortable
• Provide support to the baby’s body
• Some designs come with a five-point harness

Cons

• Heavy and not easily portable
• Takes up space
• Can’t be used for very young children
• Comparatively expensive

What is a Booster Seat

A booster seat is a short seat that has to be fixed on top of an existing chair.  It’s basically a smaller and a lighter version of a high chair, which can seat your at the correct height for eating at a table. The elevated padded base of these seats offers the baby a comfortable pillow to sit on. These types of seats are ideal for babies that can sit up without support and eat independently. If your baby is not capable of independent movement, booster chair may not be a good option.

Parents also use booster seats for their children in the car. This ensures that the children are able to see out of the window and aren’t sitting too low down in the back. In addition to providing extra height and comfort, booster seats also provide safety to children.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Light and portable
• Versatile – you can attach it to a car seat, dining chair or even place it on the floor
• Doesn’t take up much space
• Not very expensive

Cons

• Maybe less sturdy than a high chair
• May take time to clean

Difference Between High Chair and Booster Seat

Definition

A high chair is a tall chair that stands on the floor on its own legs while a booster seat is a short seat that has to be fixed on top of an existing chair.

Design

High chairs are sturdy and steady while booster seats are light and portable.

Storage

While high chairs take up some space for storage, booster seats don’t take up much space.

Age of the Babies

You can use a high chair for young babies (from around 4 months), but booster seats are for much older babies, who can sit without support and eat independently.

Function

High chairs are only used for feeding while you can attach a booster seat to a car seat, dining chair or even place it on the floor.

Price

High chairs are typically more expensive than booster seats.

Conclusion

A high chair is a tall chair that stands on the floor on its own legs while a booster seat is a short seat that has to be fixed on top of an existing chair. The main difference between high chair and booster seat is that high chairs are sturdy and steady and come with safety harness while booster seats are light and portable.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Baby, boy, child, cute, food, happiness, happy, indoors, kid, smile, childhood” (CC0) via Pickpik