Mama & Papa - POOR RATINGS in new book

[anna lisa]

I went back and forth between the two for so long and decided to register for the Papa. Now, the in the new book, the Fields say that both chairs are not recommend due to tray distances from the baby. They say the distances are 8 & 9 inches with the FP and Baby Trend chairs distances being only 5 inches.

The highly recommend the FP Healthy Chair and the Baby Trend chair.

Ok, so my question is what do you do when the baby grows? Buy a larger chair??

I was shocked to discover this rating!

[egoldber]

High chair likes and dislikes are very subjective. Hence the ever heated "bar on tray vs bar on chair" debates :) . I would pick a chair that works for you based on its feature set. If you are concerned about the tray distance, you could wait until you really need a high chair and then buy one that best fits your babe. You don't really "need" a high chair until your baby is eating 2-3 meals a day.

[Momof3Labs]

Here's my personal experience with the Prima Pappa:

Colin is 6 months old and quite skinny. I put a Baby Bjorn bib on him, push the tray in all the way, and the bib fills the gap. So the distance isn't a problem for us (thanks to the BB bibs) - we definitely wouldn't need the tray to be four inches closer. And I feel like he won't be outgrowing the chair for a long time.

That seems like an odd reason to not recommend these chairs at all.

For what it is worth...

[lukkykatt]

I have the Mamma and love it! At the time I bought it, I sat my 6 month old in a few of the other chairs (the Pappa included) and he did not seem to have much growing room left at all. I asked the salesman about this and his response was that not many babies sit in a high chair after one year (I was not buying a chair to last me for 6 months!)

The Mamma has an insert that goes into the seat, making the seat smaller, raising the baby up and forward in the seat. Also, a small baby is not self feeding, but is usually just sitting there while you feed him/her.

So, I think that you should register for the chair that you like the most. Once your baby arrives and is ready for a high chair, you can always exchange it if the tray distance is a problem.

[Kate888]

I have the Baby Trend chair and the chair distance is adjustable, 5 inches should be the closest setting. DD is 13 months (20lbs, 29") and still using the closest setting. I can put her in/take her out without adjusting the tray. So as your baby grows, the chair can be adjusted to accommodate.

HTH,

Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02

[blnony]

I have the Chicco Mamma and it works for us, that said, my mom bought the FP Healthy high chair (I'm not sure of the complete name) and I love it. It is the deluxe model with wheels and vinyl seat. DD fits in it so much better, and the tray is dishwasher safe, no crazy long straps to clean up, the tray sits close, it has three heights and three recline positions, folds for storage, multiple trays. I was so impressed with it. I want one for home now, but DH would faint if I told him I was going to get rid of the Chicco (money factor of course!) So, the Chicco works, but I guess the FP chair works better.

[alandenisefields]

Hi folks. We wanted to throw a comment or two into this discussion.

We try not radically change the ratings we give to products from edition to edition . . . but we felt this category needed a change this time out. Two reasons: first, we continue to receive a large number of complaints about the Pappa and Mama (not just tray height, but cleanability, etc). Second, there are NEW products (well, at least new since our book last came out) that were more worthy of our recommendations (Fisher Price and Baby Trend).

We discuss this issue in depth in our new ediiton, but we just wanted to through in a comment now.

Thanks,
--
Alan & Denise Fields, authors
BABY BARGAINS * TODDLER BARGAINS * BRIDAL BARGAINS * CYBERBRIDE * YOUR NEW HOUSE
Web: www.windsorpeak.com.
Email: authors@windsorpeak.com
Phone: 303-442-8792
Address: Windsor Peak Press, 436 Pine Street, Boulder, CO 80302

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[mabuckles]

Just wanted to say that I have the Baby Trend chair and love it.

[lrgeller]

And I have the Mamma and am not so happy with it. The model I have does not come with hooks for the tray when it's not in use and it's a nightmare to clean. I haven't seen the newest BB book, but I echo any reservations...

[22tango]

I have the FP Healthy Care chair and LOVE it!! Yes, as Kate said, 5" is the closest setting...it adjusts out. My only caveat is that I should have waited another month before buying since they came out with a newer version -- with WHEELS -- just after I bought mine around Christmas. Oh well,...wheels would be nice, but I'll still manage with a smile!

[JP4]

I have the Baby Trend chair and I love it! It is easy to use, easy to clean, very sturdy and it looks great.

[Annette_C]

I have TWO Baby Trend High Chairs because I love the quality so much! I just replied in detail to the Baby Trend question by Sherry on this page.
FWIW, Sabrina has been sitting in this chair since she was 3 mo. old (without the tray), strapped in, she would watch her Baby Einstein videos and she'd love it! She didn't like the bouncy seat so much and this chair was a lifesaver! She also takes the best naps in this chair since it reclines far back. And, the distance from the tray is adjustable so you can move it back as baby grows.
The reason I bought this chair in the first place is because I saw the Fields on the Today show last spring recommending it.
HTH,
Annette
SAHM to Sabrina 6/24/02

[Miss Maxi]

I registered for the Baby Trend...and then BRU went ahead and discontinued it or at least that's what it says on their website. arrghhh! WHY?

[mharling]

It may just be out of stock. It looks like they're still letting people put it on their registries. I can't imagine that it would be discontinued, but can't say for sure.

Mary
Mommy to Lane 4/6/03

[Tracey928]

I have Mama and find it a nightmare to clean. Sometimes I even use a toothpick to get the gook out of the crevices. Either DS is a messy eater or I am a messy feeder! We have also had the seat unexplainedly flip backward with him in it!!! He was not hurt just startled. My last complaint is with regard to the sides of the seat, sometimes his arm gets stuck. IMO, I would steer clear of the mamma.


Tracey

Mom to Ethan, born 9/28/02

[mam615]

I'm surprised nobody has spoken up for the Pappa so far, but I will!

Edited to add: (oops -- sorry Momof3Labs, I see you also have the Pappa!)

I've been really happy with the Pappa so far (although it's only been about 1 month of feeding -- none of the super messy stuff yet). It's simple to fold and has the t-bar on the seat which I prefer. It's on wheels, it reclines, and it has a 5pt harness so Dorothy can sit in it securely without the tray. I also like the dinner tray feature -- a tray liner lifts off so baby can use the underneath tray during cleaning or food prep.

Two things: I had to put a towel on the seat to raise her up a bit because the tray was a little high (most people share this complaint). Also, I always use a large bib that covers the shoulder straps to avoid getting food on the straps.

[smomom]

I'm also a huge fan of the Pappa. I am not doing extensive feedings yet either, but love it so far. I know it's the little things that we love, but the wheels make it so easy to tuck it away in the corner. I also love that I can remove/replace the tray with one hand only. The height and recline adjustments are also very easily made. Maybe it's because this is the only high chair I have ever owned, but I like the bar on the seat. I feel safer during that short time period when I put my DS in the seat without the tray yet attached.

I saw some complaints in online reviews that I read prior to purchasing that the straps were hard to clean. I have tried to prepare for that issue by using washable, denim car seat strap covers over the straps. When they get dirty, I just pop them in the wash.

Overall, I do agree that high chairs are like all other baby products - one person's dream is another's worst nightmare.

[nofeea]

where do you get the strap covers?