Our tester, Luci, has a five-year-old and a four-month-old who was just two weeks old when testing started. She used each model for at least a week in her busy three-bedroom mid-terrace home.

An almost 50-year-old classic, the robust and intelligently designed Stokke Tripp Trapp continues to perform well for kids of any age. Solidly constructed from high-quality wood and available in a dizzying array of colours, the Tripp Trapp is a firm favourite on our forums – especially second-hand. When it comes to any baby product, safety should always come first. All baby bouncers should meet the relevant European safety standards, but child development expert Karen Sherr advises parents to always read the manufacturer's guidelines before using a bouncer. Fisher-Price advises that parents use the harness until their child can climb in and out of the bouncer by themselves. It’s also not designed to be portable. Luci adds, “It’s not super heavy but it’s a solid piece of kit which you would probably keep downstairs. I would want another basic bouncer upstairs to pop baby in if I had this one.”

How long will I need a highchair for?

The seat, although not reclinable, is lightly padded and covered in a comfortable linen fabric, and has a built-in padded insert that offers comfort and support for younger babies. However, we would have liked for the insert to be adjustable to better accommodate growing babies. Luci says, “The support cushion was located too high up the seat once my daughter was two months old (approximately 10lb). As a result, she looked slumped in the seat.” We had the Oribel Cocoon. It was brilliant, so sturdy, height adjustable and it will recline if you need to keep your baby out of the way of the dogs while you cook and they nap or something." hubbletelescope Our verdict The Leaf Grow has three recline positions and the luxuriously padded three-point harness will keep your baby extra safe. Size: Some bouncers and swings are bulky and may need to be plugged into a wall, so consider how much space you have and where it will be stored around the home. As a busy mum of two young children, now aged eight and six, she knows just how important first-hand parenting knowledge can be, and she draws on her own experiences when writing about baby essentials, toys, health, money and lifestyle. She has also written for Prima Baby, Woman’s Own and Bella.

Type: Plastic booster seat with tray that attaches to adult chair with straps | Materials: BPA-free plastics; canvas straps | Suitable from: 6 months+ | Harness: Yes | Wheels?: No What we loveFor older babies and toddlers, a familiar chair often signals ‘mealtimes’ to them, allowing them to eat free from distraction and out of harm’s way. How long will I need a highchair for? Big gap between tray and the baby, even in its closest setting – a little inconvenient for mealtimes The relevant safety directive to look out for is EU directive EN 14988:2017, which specifically sets out standards for children’s highchairs. Bouncers tend to last up to six months (9kg) or until a baby can sit up, roll or crawl. When they start trying to escape, it’s time to stop using the bouncer. How easy it is to clean: Babies can be messy so ideally look for a seat that has a removable, machine-washable cover. Also ensure that the straps, frame, and toys can be cleaned too.

The 2-in-1 Chicco Hoopla converts seamlessly from a baby bouncer once your child reaches 9kg to a toddler chair that will last until around three years of age. Then, depending on the size and independence of your child, you may want to switch to a booster seat on an adult chair. Many multifunctional and transitional highchairs adjust in height, so you can bring the chair right up to the table. How much does a highchair cost?

We spend hours researching, speaking to parents, analysing data and listening to experts before we test out the products on our shortlist. A beautiful, intelligently designed chair with lots of thoughtful details, the Oribel Cocoon missed out on our transitional award as it’s still only suitable up to age three. But it’s a stylish and flexible model, available in four attractive colours, that will complement your kitchen and make mealtimes a breeze.