The Hannie fit guide
A portable high chair only works if it fits the chair you already own. Here is how to check, with one tape measure, in about 30 seconds.
Will a portable high chair fit your dining chairs? For the Hannie Portable High Chair, the answer comes down to three measurements and three quick checks. The Hannie straps onto a standard adult dining chair instead of standing on its own, so the chair underneath does half the job. It attaches to most standard dining chairs, but “most” is not “all”, which is why a minute with a tape measure before you buy is time well spent.
Hannie publishes a minimum dining-chair size: 38 cm wide, 35 cm deep, with a backrest at least 30 cm high. Everything below shows you where to put the tape.
Measure your chair in 30 seconds
You need a tape measure and the chair. Measure the chair you would actually use, not the one you imagine. Write the three numbers down as you go.
Illustration, not to scale. Measurements are the minimums in Hannie’s published fit guide.
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Seat widthSide to side across the seat, at the widest usable point.38 cm +
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Seat depthFrom the front edge of the seat back to the backrest.35 cm +
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Backrest heightFrom the seat surface up to the top of the backrest.30 cm +
If any one of the three comes in under the minimum, that chair is out for the Hannie. Try another chair in the house, then come back to the list.
Common measuring slips
- Measuring the whole chair, legs and frame included, instead of the seat itself.
- Measuring backrest height from the floor. It runs from the seat surface to the top of the backrest.
- Rounding up. If a number lands just under the minimum, treat it as a miss.
- Measuring one chair and assuming the rest match. Check each chair you plan to use.
Give the chair a quick once-over
Numbers are half the story. A chair-mounted seat is only as stable as the chair it sits on, so Hannie also asks for three things about the chair itself. This is the part people skip, and it matters. A chair that is wide enough but wobbles, swivels or has a squashy seat is still the wrong chair, because the seat can only be as steady as what it is strapped to.
- Four legsNot a stool or a pedestal base.
- Firm, flat seatNot soft, sprung or deeply padded.
- No swivel, fold or rockIt stays put when you lean on it.
Usually a good fit
- Solid timber dining chairs
- Sturdy café-style chairs with firm seats
- Chairs with a high, supportive backrest
- Most standard four-leg kitchen chairs
Skip these
- Bar stools and backless benches
- Swivel, rocking or folding chairs
- Deeply padded or sprung seats
- Anything wobbly, damaged or lightweight
Once it fits, attach it properly
A chair that passes is the start, not the finish. The Hannie is strapped to the chair, and the setup films show the whole routine, from frame to seat to cushion to tray. Once you have done it a couple of times, attaching it takes well under a minute.
- Check both straps are tight before every meal.
- Clip the 3-point harness every time, even for a quick snack.
- Keep an adult within arm’s reach.
- Keep the chair clear of walls or benches your child could push off.
- Never use the seat freestanding on the floor or on a table.
Watch the Hannie how-to videos for setup and the harness, and read our guide to high chair safety at home and out for what the standards mean. Not sure your baby is ready for a seat yet? Start with the signs your baby is ready for solids.
Measuring for the places you eat out
The Hannie packs to about 2 kg in its tote and fits under most stroller baskets, so it is easy to bring to a café, a restaurant or the grandparents’ house. That is also where the tape measure earns its keep. Café chairs vary, and a chair that passes the three numbers and the three checks is a good sign, while a stool, a bench or a swivel chair is not. At a regular spot or a relative’s place, measure their chairs on your next visit and you will know before you ever pack the seat.
What the fit guide does not cover
Hannie’s fit guide sets rules for seat width, seat depth, backrest height and chair type. It does not publish a rule for every shape of chair, such as chairs with arms or curved and sloping seats. If your chair is unusual, call the Coolkidz Australia team in Melbourne on 1300 722 302 before you buy, or ask via the Hannie contact page.
The Hannie, at a glance
- Age
- From around 6 months (with head and neck control) to around 5 years
- Capacity
- 15 kg in Baby Chair mode, 25 kg in Toddler Seat mode
- Packed weight
- About 2 kg, including the Reversible Cushion
- In the box
- Seat, frame, Reversible Cushion, 3-point harness, tray and tote bag
- Colours
- Sage Green, White Sand, Charcoal Black, Mahogany Red
- Warranty
- 2 years, supported in Australia by Coolkidz Australia
Frequently asked questions
Will a portable high chair fit any dining chair?
No. A chair-mounted seat needs a sturdy four-legged chair with a firm, flat seat and a high backrest. For the Hannie, the seat needs to be at least 38 cm wide and 35 cm deep, with a backrest at least 30 cm high.
How wide does a dining chair need to be for the Hannie?
At least 38 cm across the seat, measured side to side at the widest usable point.
How do I measure my dining chair for a portable high chair?
Measure three things: seat width, seat depth from the front edge to the backrest, and backrest height from the seat surface to the top of the backrest. Compare them with 38 cm, 35 cm and 30 cm.
Can I use a portable high chair on a bar stool?
No. Bar stools and backless benches are on Hannie’s list of chairs to skip. The chair needs four legs and a backrest.
Does the chair seat need to be firm?
Yes. Hannie recommends a firm, flat seat and advises skipping deeply padded or sprung seats, as well as swivel, rocking and folding chairs.
Can I use the Hannie on a chair with arms?
The published fit guide does not give a rule for chairs with arms. If you are unsure, call the Coolkidz Australia team on 1300 722 302 before you buy.
Is a chair-mounted high chair safe?
Used correctly, yes. Chair-mounted seats have their own standard, EN 16120, and the Hannie is tested to it and to AS/NZS 8124.3. Always use the 3-point harness, check both straps are tight and stay within arm’s reach.
Can I use it on the floor or on a table?
No. It is designed only for secure attachment to an adult dining chair. Never use it freestanding on the floor or on a table.
What age can my baby start using the Hannie?
From around 6 months, once your baby has good head and neck control and can sit with support. It then converts to a toddler seat and lasts to around 5 years.
Freedom with fewer and better baby products. Designed in Sweden.
This article contains general information only. Always read the manual, follow the age, weight and use instructions for your Hannie Portable High Chair, and supervise your child at all times.