Easy to Move: My Experience with the Stokke
We’ve been using the Steps high chair in our home since our baby was about four-months-old. We started putting him in the high chair for small intervals of time in order to ensure he’s included at mealtime. He’s now eight-months-old and eats every meal with us at the table like a regal baby king in his high chair.
The Stokke Steps booster seat has a 5-point harness system with swivel connectors, eliminating the frustration of having to untangle the straps before securing baby in the seat. The straps are adjustable from both the shoulder and the waist and while the sleek wood frame and molded plastic baby seat make it an easy high chair to clean overall, the straps themselves are a woven nylon blend that could be improved. For instance, the handy swivel connector mechanism means that there are a lot of places for food to get trapped, and the entire harness needs to be removed from the high chair often for it to be wiped clean.
On the other side, we love the flexibility and multi-age use of this product. The tray and baby seat can be removed as children get older, and the adjustable footrest acts as a step for them to enter and exit the high chair on their own, promoting independence and self-confidence.
Alternately, the tray can be removed entirely while baby stays buckled in, and the A-frame allows you to pull the high chair right up to the table without bumping into the edge or otherwise getting in the way. This means that the tray can be skipped from the get-go if mamas want baby to eat directly from the dinner table with the rest of the family.
You can also bring baby right up to the table starting from birth to participate in mealtime and be part of the family with the additional Stokke Steps
Bouncer attachment (purchased separately because life isn’t fair on your wallet).
Solid and Sturdy
The Stokke Steps high chair hits all the markers for safety, functionality, quality engineering, and design. The solid wood base frame is exceptionally sturdy and can hold up to 187 pounds, so this is truly a piece of furniture that can grow with you child.
In fact, we specifically appreciate the flexibility to use the high chair from birth and well into the school years, as well as its ergonomic, adjustable accessories to customize to your child. Each stage of this high chair is well thought-out and designed to meet children’s ever-changing needs, and we love that you can create an inclusive mealtime environment from very early on.
That Darn Tray!
The removable tray comes in a textured finish, but you may be surprised to discover that silicone feeding dishes or suction cup bowls won’t stay secured to the tray.
Stokke has developed their own placemat to combat this problem, but once children learn to lift the edges of the placemat, the product (and their lunch) tends to end up on the floor. As a result, we have to hold any bowls we place in front of our baby, so the opportunity to compartmentalize food and get him using dinnerware is a lost cause.
We also can’t place any suction cup toys on the textured surface, which means toys need to be tied down or otherwise secured to avoid the constant drop-and-replace game. Most babies acquire LeBron James-level talent when it comes to throwing their stuff on the ground and making you pick it up. Another downside: the removable tray is hollow on the inside, allowing water to sit and pool after cleaning, even if it’s placed upright to drain.
Some may also find the large footprint of the Steps high chair too cumbersome—the highchair has a footprint of 24” x 17”, so it is a large piece of furniture. And finally, the Stokke Steps high chair carries a hefty price tag on the base frame alone, never mind the attachments. The initial investment of $399.99 is substantial enough that you almost can’t put it on your registry and expect somebody to buy it for you without lifting an eyebrow. Unless, of course, you know LeBron James.
Best High Chair? Almost!
The Stokke is right for mamas who want solid, long-lasting, beautiful furniture for their home and aren’t limited by budget. Parents who plan to follow baby-led weaning or Montessori methods may also appreciate the independence-promoting functions of this high chair.
A Baby Set to Sit With
While the Stokke Steps high chair is not a must-have, we couldn’t imagine not having it for our family. We love how easy it is to clean (for the most part) and how the beautiful design and neutral color complement our adult furniture.
We have already recommended this high chair to new and expecting friends, and we look forward to using it for many years to come, while allowing our baby the freedom to explore his independence as he gets older.
