By Olivia DeLong, former senior health editor at BabyCenter and What to Expect.
When my daughter first started eating, we had numerous high chairs. A freestanding one, but also a hook-on option for our counter and on the go. And let me tell you something about the hook-on one: it was a game-changer.
I also have friends who only had a hook-on high chair because either they didn’t want a bulky chair taking up space, or they simply just didn’t have the space for a high chair to sit in their kitchen.
Turns out that experts love them, too. We spoke with Solid Starts feeding expert, Kimberly Grenawitzke, to understand the benefits and safety of a hook-on high chair from an expert perspective.
As a pediatric feeding therapist and mom of two very rambunctious girls, she says she’s super practical when it comes to feeding. And while she loves a supportive high chair for many babies, she’s also very realistic that not every family has the space, budget, or need for a full size chair. For some families, a hook-on high chair can be the unsung hero of baby gear items, she adds.
Here's more about why Kim loves a hook-on option:
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They’re space-saving by design: Hook-on chairs attach directly to your table, making them ideal for smaller homes, apartments, or anyone who just doesn't want one more oversized piece of gear, says Kim. Counter height or bar height table? No problem. Eating at the kitchen island every day? No big deal. “A stable hanging high chair can bring your baby into the family meal no matter where you are.”
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They’re built for on the go: No matter where you're headed, hook-on high chairs are also perfect for the times when you’re eating somewhere other than your home. “Restaurant outings, holidays at grandma's, and vacations, a hook-on high chair is easy to take with you wherever you go,” says Kim.
“No more hoping the restaurant high chair (or one of your mother in law’s) will work, stuffing everyone’s jacket behind your baby to help them sit upright, or trying to let your baby eat in a reclined stroller,” she says. “A hanging high chair can be a great way to safely position your baby when you are away from the table.”
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The footrest is a game changer: The Lalo Hook-On High Chair has a footrest and that isn't just a nice extra, says Kim, but it gives babies and toddlers a stable base, which helps them stay seated, focused, and better regulated at mealtimes. “Can babies eat well without a footrest? Sure. But it can make all the difference for a baby who is just getting started and needs a bit of extra support, or for a baby who is just uncomfortable and not loving travel or hanging high chairs.”
Now that you know the benefits, how do you pick one and what should you look for? As an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and mom, here’s are the things Kim says are musts (you can thank us later!):
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A footrest. Most hook-on chairs skip this entirely, she says, but dangling feet make it harder for babies to feel stable and focused while eating. “A footrest not only provides your baby with more stability (and safety!) while eating, it can also help extend mealtime for a baby who is wiggly or having a hard time staying in their travel seat.”
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A smaller, more fitted seat. “Roomier isn't always better here.,” says Kim. “A seat that fits your baby snugly means less slouching and better posture for safe chewing and swallowing.” A rolled towel or small blanket can fill gaps if needed, but the snugger the fit, the better, she also adds.
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Easy on, easy off. If it takes more than 60 seconds to set up, you won't use it consistently, Kim says. “Look for a high chair with a clamp that works quickly, ideally one-handed, since you may have a little one in tow.”
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Multi-surface capabilities. If you’re able to use your high chair on both countertops and tables, you’re going to use it more, it’s a fact. More flexibility = more real-world use.” One that can attach to both can be used at home, at restaurants, at grandma's house, and beyond,” she says.
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Machine washable fabric or easy-clean materials. Feeding is messy, and your chair should be able to handle it. “Make sure the fabric is machine washable, and bonus points if it has a silicone mat that you can easily throw into a’dirty stuff’ bag after a meal,” says Kim.
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Packability with a travel bag. If you want it for travel, it should fold down small and come with a bag you'll actually use.
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A weight limit of at least 30 pounds. Some chairs cap out early. “You want a chair that grows with your child past the early months because even toddlers don’t fit well in many restaurant high chairs,” says Kim.
The right hook-on high chair supports more than just a seat at the table, it supports your child's ability to eat safely and enjoy mealtime, wherever you are! If you’re looking for a hook-on high chair that checks all these boxes, the Lalo Hook-on Chair is perfect in every way. The fact that it has a footrest? There’s truly not another option out there that has one. And as someone who has helped many parents with feeding (and gone through it with her own kids), Kim says this feature is an absolute game-changer.
Happy eating!
Meet the Expert
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant.
Specializing in infant and child feeding, eating, and swallowing, Kim has spent the majority of her career in pediatric acute care at some of the largest children's hospitals on the west coast, focusing specifically on neonatal (NICU) feeding and swallowing, breastfeeding with high-risk infants, and infant/pediatric cardiac rehabilitation. In addition to her hospital-based work, Kim counsels families struggling with breastfeeding, transitioning to solids, selective/picky eating, tube weaning, and oral motor/chewing. Kim is mom to Maeve (4.5y) and Blythe (2y) and enjoys cooking with her husband, Will, and chasing after her Golden Retriever, Bailey.
Meet the Writer
Olivia DeLong is the former senior health editor at BabyCenter and What to Expect. She’s been an editor, writer, and content strategist for over 15 years, holding staff positions at WomansDay.com and Sharecare prior to her role at pregnancy and parenting brands. After a traumatic fertility journey, she’s now a mom to her 6-year-old miracle girl, and lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. She loves digging into parenting, women’s health, and wellness trends with experts, and believes that speaking up about just about anything is so important for moms to feel seen.
