Time for solid foods means it's time for the high chair... but what chair will it be? There are so many options. The whole high chair shopping experience is much like car shopping. You read reviews, visit dealer websites and even "test-drive" before the final decision is made. Eventually I developed a mental list of requirements. I had to make a couple compromises but I am very pleased with our final decision. Below you will find a small selection of high chairs we came across during our search for the ideal high chair. I have listed my personal pros and cons for each. Hope this will help in your search for your ideal chair.
HiLo Chair by Age Design
"As industrial designers, my husband Patrice and I simply want to achieve a better chair. By better, we don't just mean more attractive or more functional, but all-around better at being part of the human environment."
-Geneviève Grenier
The HiLo is a fabulous modern high chair designed by husband and wife industrial design team of Quebec's AGE Design. This dual height chair has a wonderfully modern aesthetic and will keep your babies and toddlers well-seated whether they're 6 months or 6 years old. What makes it brilliant is with one easy maneuver, the seat-belt-clad chair conveniently swivels from high chair with tray to tray-less under-table chair.
After several months of high chair shopping we decided to purchase the HiLo in "Portobello" with the dark wood leg- shown above. We loooooove this chair! So far so good. Too funny (Two weeks after making the decision to go with the HiLo) my Canadian Family magazine arrived. The magazine featured a large spread of family tested award winning baby products. Guess which high chair won #1 chair? That's right, the HiLo! I couldn't agree more.
Pros:
-Has a tray. Great for use in kitchen/when away from the dining table. Spencer loves to feed himself "Breakfast O's" from his own tray. He's so proud to be feeding himself. It's great entertainment for the little guy.
-The high chair is tall for stand-up feeding in the kitchen and the low chair setting allows the chair to fit under the table.
-Easily converts to a toddler chair that pulls up to the dining table.
-Original design, great colour options!
-Has wheels, easy to move.
-Wood legs in light or dark finish.
-Very easy to clean. The molded plastic seat wipes out with the swipe of a damp cloth.
-The seat belt has a wide mesh edge for comfort and is easy to fasten.
-Smaller babies can lean their heads back for a little rest. Sitting isn't a natural position for the young baby. This is a nice feature that Spencer uses to catch a one or two second rest.
-For $300 you get an infant and toddler chair all wrapped up in one. No additional costs.
-Resale value is high on designer chairs.
-Canadian designed product!
Cons:
-Plastic components. We didn't originally want plastic but the ease of use coupled with good looks and non-toxic plastic material (phthalates & lead free) trumped this con. Plus the material has a texture that stops baby from slipping and slouching down in the seat. Great feature.
-No cushion. After further thought I realized this was actually a pro. No cushion means easier maintenance/less opportunity for grime to settle in the nooks and crevices. Age Design studied baby and toddler ergonomics before developing the shape and angles of the molded seat. So the lack of cushion shouldn't equal lack of comfort. Not to mention- baby's diaper acts as that little bit of extra cushion! ;P
Tripp Trapp Chair by Stokke
Pros:
-Wood construction with fabric cushion.
-Nice looking design.
-Usable from baby to toddler.
Cons:
-Safety! This chair can tip backwards. Take a look at this disturbing link on YouTube.
-Price! Once you add on the baby rail the seat cushion and taxes you are up to $400.
-No tray.
-Always low to the ground.
-Require multiple expensive fabric cushions sets as they will get dirty after nearly every meal.
-Smaller babies can't lean their heads back for the occasional rest.
-Baby rail is tight. Difficult to squeeze larger babies into.
Babylon Chair by Argington
This chair is very similar to the Trip Trap. Although the Babylon Chair has a tray- in the end I decided it had similar pros and cons to the Trip Trap.
High Chair by Svan
Pros:
-These two Svan highchairs are made of wood with cloth cushions.
-Both have trays.
-One modern design and one more classic option.
-Mid range pricing.
Cons:
-Small seat. Spencer was VERY snug and he is only 6 months old...
-Not very tall. This means no stand and feed option for in the kitchen.
-Has a few nooks for food to become caught.
-Would need to buy additional fabric seat covers as they will become soiled often.
Contempo Chair by Graco
Pros:
-Economical choice. At just under $200 it's an easy one to justify.
-Folds up for easy storage. However this wasn't something that mattered to us.
-Some interesting patterns.
-Some people like that this chair reclines for feedings. However, if you wait until 6 months (as is recommended by today's pediatricians) to feed your baby solids then the reclined position is not needed.
Cons:
-I couldn't find any literature stating that the plastics used were non-toxic. Graco never did return my e-mail inquiry.
-A little rickety.
-Doesn't go beyond infant stage. No toddlers will be seated here.
-Seat made of vinyl, makes for a sweaty sticky place to sit in the summer.
-In the end it was still the typical large plastic high chair that I was looking to avoid.
Peg Perego Prima Papa Diner
Pros:
-This is the Cadillac of the plastic and vinyl high chair sets. Premium design, great comfort, and well made. For anyone who is looking for the classic high chair this just might be the one for you.
-Height adjustable.
Cons:
-Typical high chair... design is practical but is lacking much flair.
-Lots of plastic, vinyl and little crevices for food to become jammed into.
-Expensive! This chair is up there with the "designer" wood infant/toddler chairs.
Ikea Antilop Chair
Pros:
-Very economical! This chair retails for $19.99
-Good design for the money.
-There is a tray option.
-Chair can be pulled up to the table.
-Comes with a safety belt.
-Great for a contemporary small space.
Cons:
-Plastic... and I can't find any literature stating that it is non-toxic.
-The design is mostly suited to a very simple modern space.
-Not very ergonomic, no place to rest head either.
-Not only is it economical... it looks it too. But maybe that is ok? You've got to love what Ikea has to offer!
Eddie Bauer Franklin Chair
Pros:
-Wood design with minimal plastic.
-One of very few classic looking high chairs on the market.
-Reasonable pricing at approx. $169.
Cons:
-Plastic tray... couldn't get an answer from Graco regarding potential BPA etc. in tray.
-Fabric cushion would need constant washing. Is there an option to buy additional cushions? I don't know?
-Lots of nooks for food to settle/ hard to clean.
-Not height adjustable.
-Not easy to move from kitchen to dining room- no wheels.
In Conclusion...
I've learned that there really is a high chair for everyone! Classic to contemporary. Simple designs to uber-modern-does-it-all designs. So how do we decide? Make a list. Either on paper or in your head. Outline what you want and what you hope to avoid. You too can obtain high style & high function in the ultimate high chair for your baby. Happy shopping!
