Rebecca lives in Edmonton, north London and is mum to eight-month-old Zebedee.
Rebecca's highchair must-haves:
"I need a highchair that will pull up to the family kitchen table so that we can all eat together and Zeb is properly included in the meal time. I like the highchair to look stylish and preferably blend in with the rest of my furniture because I have to look at it every day. I don't need the chair to perform entertainment functions, but I want it to be solid and sturdy enough to last for several years and, potentially, another child's use. I would like the chair to fold compactly enough to be stored away when not in use as although my kitchen is big, it isn't huge."




Deborah lives in Mount Sorrel, Leicestershire, and is mum to one-year-old Elsie.
Deborah's highchair must-haves:
"I need a highchair that's not too big and which folds up compactly, so I can take it with me when I'm visiting. I don't want anything fancy looking - I just want it to be easy to clean. I wouldn't buy a highchair that's suitable for use when the baby is older - I've found from my older children that by the time they are nearly three they want to sit on an ordinary kitchen or dining room chair when eating." 


Linkadoos Healthy Care highchair from Fisher-Price
Price: around £89.99
Colours: Blue
Features: This highchair has seven height adjustments and a three-position reclining seat. The join-free, moulded plastic feeding trays ensure no food will get caught in the cracks - the three trays provided are fully removable using only one hand, and dishwasher-safe. The food tray is divided into two sections so different foods can be kept separate. The highchair also comes with two attached teething toys, a wipe-clean seat-pad and a five-point restraint harness.

Deborah says, "This is a bit frilly-looking and very big. I like the plastic that comes up between the leg-holes on the seat because it stops Elsie from sliding towards me, particularly when she's in a mood and arching her back. It folds very easily and I like the extra trays it comes with, but they do take up a lot of room in the dishwasher. I'm not impressed with the attached toys - they keep falling off and are just a pointless gimmick. The seat goes up and down, but when I try to fold it it doesn't stay folded and I have to wedge it against something to stop it opening up. I think it's good value and I would buy it, if it didn't look so frilly."
Deborah's rating: 7/10
Rebecca says, "I don't like the look of this one. It's a bit girly looking with a frill on the seat cover and the plastic fabric is a loud colour. The chair is huge with attached baskets and a very wide frame. I think it is far too big for the average kitchen and the size of the chair and the tray means the chair can't be pulled up to the table. The seat is big and roomy and it's quite easy to get Zeb in and out of it, as the tray is easily detachable. There are loads of special features on this chair: baskets with toys in on the side which Zeb loves, detachable tray and extra covers for the tray with dips in, to place a cup and so on. He's very comfortable in the seat, although it dwarfs him. I think the chair would last him for a good while, as there is plenty of growing room. It's a good price but it's not very practical so I wouldn't buy it."

Regency highchair from Babies R Us
Price: £69.99
Colours: Blue and white check

Features: This highchair has a multi-position height to accommodate different feeding positions. The three-position removable tray stores away on the back legs. It also has a three-position backrest, a two-piece tray with a drink holder, removable footrest and calf support, a basket to store toys under the chair, a padded wipe-clean seat and a five-point harness.
Deborah says, "This is a big highchair with a big seat. It's too big for Elsie at the moment and she seems to slip down a lot in it. It's hard to get the tray on to the seat unit - maybe it loosens up the more you use it. It's easy to put Elsie in it, though, because the tray comes off the front. I wouldn't use the seat-recline function, though, as I prefer to cuddle Elsie when she's tired and not have her fall asleep in a highchair. It folds up compactly and the tray clips on to the back. I would buy it because it's a good price for what you get."
Deborah's rating: 8/10
Rebecca says, "I don't like the look of this one - it has a huge throne-like seat in a blue plasticky material. The frame is so wide and obtrusive that it dominates the whole kitchen. It's easy to get Zeb in and out of and the harness secures him well. He looks tiny in such a big seat, but is very comfortable. The toy basket is useful and the detachable tray helps in getting Zeb in and out. The reclining seat is a gimmick, though, and I don't think Zeb lying back after eating is a good idea. It's a good price considering the extras but I wouldn't buy it."

Aurora Plus highchair from Cosatto
Price: £84.99
Colours: Grey and Beige Leatherette

Features: This highchair has a padded, wipe-clean seat unit, which reclines at three positions. The height of the Aurora Plus is fully adjustable to suit all requirements and folds for easy storage. The seat height can be set in any position between the top and bottom settings. It also has a double tray, so the top tray can be removed, and both are dishwasher compatible. The fully removable tray has three positions for varying stages of growth. It also comes with a storage basket.
Deborah says, "I think this highchair is big and unattractive. The seat is so big that it looks more like a car seat - it's quite masculine looking, too, so it might be better for a boy. The seat area needs to be a little more padded for younger babies so they don't slip in it. It's easy to put Elsie in and out of it, as the tray comes off and it folds compactly too. The basket underneath is useful for bibs, wipes and so on. I would consider buying it but the size puts me off."
Deborah's rating: 6/10
Rebecca says, "I don't like the look of this one. It has a huge throne-like seat in grey leatherette that Zeb looks tiny in. The frame is so wide and obtrusive that it dominates the whole kitchen and it gets in the way. It's easy to get Zeb in and out of it and the toy basket is useful if you want your baby to play while he's in his highchair but I'm not a fan of the reclining seat. It's a bit pricey and I wouldn't buy it."

Compiled by Alex Antoniou
Alex lives in north London and is married with two children, Theo, 10, and Grace, six. She has worked in the parenting market since 1996 when she worked on Parents magazine as a sub editor. Since then she has been features editor on Pregnancy & Birth magazine and consumer editor on the Pregnancy & Birth sister title, Mother & Baby.