Functional highchair for infant that's also attractive?

[Jennymarie]

Okay, I know its silly and not the sort of thing I should really care about, but I would really like to find a high chair that's plain (solid color, NO ruffles!).

I know that many people have complaints about the Prima Pappa and the Chicco Mama, so I'm a bit afraid to fork out the money for these chairs just for the way they look if I'm ultimately going to hate using them.

On the other hand, the Fisher Price and Graco chairs that people seem to enjoy using are so awful looking. WHY would anybody put plastic ruffles on a high chair seat?

I know this is the type of thing that you don't use forever, but it will end up in a lot of pictures, I think, so I would really prefer to find something that isn't garish.

Any suggestions?

[holliam]

I am right there with you! I do not like most highchairs at all. I think we're going to buy the Eddie Bauer Cosco one. I'm not a fan of Cosco products, but this is getting some decent early reviews (hasn't been out that long):

http://tinyurl.com/348qc

Holli

[ladybugsea]

I agree!!! Right now I have the Healthy Care Deluxe Linkadoos chair on my registry, and I really don't want to be looking at it in my kitchen for years to come! I could deal with the regular Deluxe version (eliminating the ruffles would be a huge improvement!!), but BRU doesn't carry it anymore (just the basic version without the wheels). Yesterday I went to BRU and loved the Chicco Mamma. So much cooler looking!! But I had already read all the negatives, and I couldn't even get the tray off of it! I don't know what to do. I just hate them all! And the same goes for the play yards. Why don't they come in black or gray, or simple patterns?

[Jennymarie]

Thanks for validating me on this one. I'm fine with bright, interesting colors for children's toys and such, but NOT for something that's going to be a long term fixture in my kitchen or living room...

I like the Eddie Bauer one, but I guess I would be concerned about the fabric seat on it. It would also be nice to have a full recline feature if I ever need to have a place to secure the baby if he takes a bottle, and a lot of the wooden highchairs don't seem to have that.

Does anyone know anything about the Svan wooden highchairs? They're kind of odd-looking, but certainly better than vinyl ruffles, and they seem like they would be useful for a long time.

[nofeea]

Just so you know, I LIKE my Prima Pappa. I was really worried based on some of the negative reviews but I've never had a problem with it. Cleaning it has not been a big deal (I did put strap protectors on) and I love the leatherette surface. It pretty much just wipes clean. I also just wipe out the crumbs that get under the seat cushion. Why don't you check it out in a store and see what you think?

[mharling]

If you don't mind a fabric seat, the Baby Trend's are pretty plain looking. The cover we have (I forget the name, but it's the first one they ever had) is reversible and we have it on a solid color. Here's a pic (with ds in it, of course!).

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/5464.jpg

Mary & Lane 4/6/03
[link:www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b370a2992536|Birthday Pics!!]

[C99]

>about the fabric seat on it. It would also be nice to have a
>full recline feature if I ever need to have a place to secure
>the baby if he takes a bottle, and a lot of the wooden
>highchairs don't seem to have that.

You can use a swing or bouncy chair to feed a baby a bottle, they work just as well. The wooden high chairs are a &*%$! to clean. Sure, my wooden high chair looks nicer than a humongous piece of plastic, but it's also a lot harder to clean.

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I am the same way I did not want baby patterns on a high chair...I never looked into highchairs since I have an old wooden one and am now getting a Kettler wood toddler seat...

But had I Mary I would have been drawn to this one...it looks nice!!!
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[holliam]

I am pretty sure you can toss the fabric seat in the washing machine; it's completely detachable.

Also, reclining wasn't a feature I was interested in. Our daughter will likely be home around 6 months, and I would just prefer to hold her when she takes a bottle.

I looked at the Swan but they are way too funky/modern looking for my classic tastes!

Good luck on your quest!

Holli

[jennyriver]

i think, as other posters have eluded to, you may have to weigh function with fashion. the cosco EB chair (which i've seen at BRU and i think it looks great) seems to lack the functions of the plastic chairs that end up making them so popular (adj. ht. and recline, easy-clean seat, 3pt. instead of 5pt. harness - but it DOES have the removable tray) but it seems to get great reviews at BRU online. plus it's the same price as the FP linkadoos deluxe. we ended up going with the FP linkadoos deluxe, mainly because of all the features, great reviews and the price is still pretty great. plus i assume that over time we'll just get used to the print. baby isn't here yet but i KNOW that having and easy clean seat that is easy to use and baby likes will end up making a much bigger difference in my life than good looks. but hey, if the cosco EB can do both for you, go for it!

*one other idea...a friend of mine just uses a portable HC to feed her daughter. i read great reviews from people who use this as their only chair too. this would eliminate the need to even consider your HC as furniture at all - just store it away when done. it's aboutt he size of a booster seat with a tray. and eventually, it IS a booster.