There are some baby products that are incredibly useful for a few months and then suddenly seem to have outlived their purpose. A highchair can easily fall into that category.
So I was interested to try the Hauck Alpha+ Wooden Highchair, which takes a rather different approach. Instead of being designed purely for the weaning stage, it is made to grow with your child and can eventually become a proper chair for the dining table.
And I have to say, I really like the idea.
A lovely addition to the dining table
The first thing I noticed about the Alpha+ is how much more like a piece of furniture it feels than some traditional highchairs.
Made from European beechwood, the natural finish is simple and attractive, and I think it would fit into most kitchens and dining rooms without looking like a large piece of baby equipment.
It also has a reassuringly sturdy feel. With a little one sitting up high at the table, stability is obviously important, and the Alpha+ has a tilt-proof design.
Made to grow with your child
The clever thing about this highchair is that you don’t simply buy it for the first year or two and then have to replace it.
The seat and footplate can be adjusted as your child grows, helping to give them a comfortable position at the table. The footplate is particularly useful because little legs don’t have to be left dangling.
When your child is older and no longer needs the safety bar and harness, these can be removed and the chair can continue to be used at the dining table.
In fact, the Alpha+ is designed to support up to 90kg, so this is a chair that could potentially stay with your child for many years.
Practical for mealtimes
When you’re dealing with babies and toddlers, practicality matters just as much as appearance.
The Alpha+ comes with a five-point harness and front bar for younger children, helping to keep them safely positioned during meals. As they become more confident and independent, the chair can be adapted accordingly.
I also like the fact that it doesn’t have lots of unnecessary padding or complicated sections. A highchair is inevitably going to encounter the odd dropped spoon, squashed banana and enthusiastic meal, so having a fairly straightforward design is a definite advantage.
One thing to bear in mind is that the food tray is an additional accessory, so you’ll need to factor this in if you want to use the Alpha+ away from the dining table initially.
Is it worth choosing a wooden highchair?
For me, the biggest appeal is longevity.
There is something rather nice about buying a piece of baby furniture that isn’t destined to be put away once your child reaches toddlerhood. The Alpha+ can move through different stages with them, from a weaning highchair to a chair they can use at the family table.
I also think the natural wooden design gives it a more timeless feel. It doesn’t scream “baby equipment”, which is a small thing but makes a difference when it is going to be sitting in your dining room for years.
The Hauck Alpha+ Wooden Highchair is a great choice for parents who are looking beyond the traditional short-term highchair.
It is sturdy, attractive and, most importantly, designed to grow with your child. I particularly like the adjustable seat and footplate and the fact that the safety features can eventually be removed so the chair can continue to be used as your child gets older.
It feels like a buy-once-and-use-for-years product rather than something you’ll need to replace as soon as your toddler becomes more independent.
