Highchairs come with a range of additional features, including: extra padding on the seats; reclining seats; adjustable seat heights; adjustable foot-rest; removable seat cover; removable tray; divided tray to keep different foods separate; and an extra tray or double-layered tray so that one can be used one for dinner and one for desert, or one washed while the other is in use, says babycentre in valuable advice to the consumer. A multi-function highchair which converts into a separate low chair and table when baby is a toddler, or can be used as a child grows up, may require a larger financial outlay but in terms of return on investment, has obvious benefits for your customer. If a harness is not included, be sure to supply one that attaches securely to the D rings and complies with safety standard BS 6684 - demonstrating how to use it before completing the sale. It is crucial that your customer can get baby in and out of the chair easily and that the seat is one that promotes good posture, as this will make mealtimes a lot less stressful for everyone.

Re-capping on the safety issue, recommend high chairs that have a wide base and a low centre of gravity. Check the wheels and locking mechanisms so that your customer can be confident that baby is secured safely at all times. While a high chair with wheels is great if baby is to be moved from place to place, you must check that the locks are strong, to prevent any accidents. Similarly, if your customer has decided upon a folding highchair, check in store that the folding mechanism locks well and operates easily, ensuring that it can not be folded accidentally while in use.

The purchase of a high chair necessitates a whole range of other feeding equipment, including bibs, cups, bowls and spoons, so be sure to maximise on this initial sale with a host of 'add-ons'.

From traditional towelling bibs to the plastic scoop variety designed to be easy to clean and minimise spillage, cover-all bibs for the particularly messy eater or the disposable variety favoured by busy parents and carers - there are designs out there to cater for every lifestyle and your range must do the same.

Trainer cups are vital at this stage too. Initially you should recommend a small cup with a soft plastic spout, as a smooth transition from the bottle. Once baby is used to the idea of a cup there are several you could recommend to help him or her progress. Some have a basic lid and spout, others come with handles, while many are also leak proof - preventing the contents from being hurled around the room! A travelling cup meanwhile has a spout that can be lifted up and put down every time a sip of drink is required: if your customer is keen to monitor drink times, this is the ideal option.

Feeding technology has come a long way in recent years to ease parental concerns about safety. Popular with the consumer are bowls that come with a compartment in the base where hot water can be added to keep the food warm; heat sensitive bowls and spoons that change colour when the food is cool enough to eat; and bowls with a suction base that help to prevent spillages. Shallow spoons made from flexible plastic are recommended for helping a young baby to feed, while self-feeding babies and toddlers will require a deeper spoon with an easy to grip handle.

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