Travel does not have to be overseas, it does not even have to be interstate, it might just be down to a cafe for lunch with the moms.
One thing is a given though, it does not matter if your travel is overseas, interstate or local, when you have a baby, the logistics of travel are much more difficult. High chairs are one of those logistical problems that can be a nightmare. Do you take your own high chair, or do you take a gamble that there will be a high chair available when you arrive? If you are depending on high chair availability at your destination, how much do you trust the sanitation of that chair? Your baby will be eating in it after all.
While the standard home high chair models are not easy to travel with, fortunately there are a number of high chair designs that are specifically designed for travel. These can be packed easily, carried easily and set up easily at your destination. Typically they attach to a chair or stool. So you can always be confident knowing there will be a setting available at your destination. Below are summaries of the major types of travel high chairs:
Hook-On Travel High Chairs: Hook-on chairs are light-weight, fold up chairs that attach to the table you are eating at. The big plus with these travel chairs is your baby is always at table height and therefore will be able to eat with you better, and interact with you better. Have a look at the different varieties of hook-on travel high chairs too, there are plenty of features to choose from. For example, some allow swiveling, making it easier for you to feed your baby. Some come with their own tray. The padding arrangements are different with the different models. And always consider how well a particular model packs for ease of carrying.
Booster Seats : There are a range of rigid portable seats which strap onto chairs. These types of chair are called booster seats. They are probably the travel high chair which offer the most variety in the industry. Some are long and thin, others self inflate with a pull out valve (which is great for packing away), some are fold up seats with a strap for carrying, I’ve even seen some wooden travel chairs that fold completely flat, but when unfolded, attach to the chair back with a hook while sitting on the seat. The range of products is this category of chair is so varied, the only advice I can offer is to find the chair that best fits your travel needs and best fits the locations in which you’ll most use the chair.
Harness Slip Ons: These travel seats are little more than cloth harnesses. They basically convert all types of chairs, chairs with different shapes and sizes, into a high
chair. These chairs are brilliant for long haul travel because they squash down into a tiny travel pouch. Given they are 100% cloth, these pouches can then be used as a travel pillow. (Assuming they don’t smell too bad from the last round of spillages). Being cloth too makes them completely
machine washable, making cleaning up a bit easier. They are only really suitable for babies who can sit unaided already though, which is usually from around 8 months onwards.