In partnership with Mockingbird.
I’m not kidding when I tell you that most times, after meals are over, I find about half of my son’s food buried deep in the crevices of his high chair. Other than it being wasteful, I really can’t stand deep cleaning the chair every time he snacks. After all, the guy eats a lot throughout the day! On my quest to end my wipe-down woes, I learned about Mockingbird’s brand-new High Chair ($230). Could it be the answer to most of my mealtime problems?
We like
- Silicone-coated straps wipe completely clean (and it’s the only high chair on the market that uses this material)
- It converts from a High Chair to Child Chair, meaning it can be used for years and for multiple kiddos
- Minimal “nooks and crannies” to prevent crumbs from getting stuck in those hard-to-reach places
- No tools are required for conversion into Child Chair Mode or to adjust the footrest
- Space-saving footprint, so you’re not tripping over it and you can pull it right up to the table
- High Chair attachment, Tray, and Tray Liner are all included
We don't like
- Only one color available at launch
- The high chair doesn't fold, but that also means fewer crevices for crumbs to build up!
Mockingbird’s Serious Parenting Pedigree
Mockingbird is a modern baby gear brand known mostly for its Single-to-Double Stroller, which TQE editor Aliza can’t say enough good things about. The brand recently expanded its horizons to include some additional products for parents, such as the bassinet (with a stand, I might add), and now the High Chair. Mockingbird prides itself on offering luxury products at more affordable prices than other high-end baby gear brands (without skimping on features!). But while Mockingbird is on a mission to “empower parents by supporting you every step of the way and offering well-designed products that provide real value,” I was on a mission of my own: to find out if this new high chair lives up to the reputation of the brand’s existing products.
The Anatomy of a Good High Chair
Like any great invention, Mockingbird’s High Chair was born out of a need for a better product – other high chairs on the market just weren’t cutting it. From hard-to-reach nooks and crannies to fabric straps that couldn’t be cleaned, high chairs have a lot of frustrating intricacies – and the brand’s team knew there had to be a better way to design a high chair. So, they got to work.
First, with cleaning in mind, the chair is crevice-free in the seat. That means your sweet baby, try as they may, can’t save some for later (on accident or on purpose). When you get your child up, wiping is as easy as wiping a counter. Simply gather all the crumbs, spray it, and wipe it away… and it is good as new. On top of this, the tray comes with a removable, dishwasher safe liner, meaning no more cumbersome tray-washing six times a day. Finally, and perhaps most exciting in my book, the high chair offers silicone straps (super easy to clean) and a new magnetic buckle that helps the straps “find” the buckle (so simple to click your little one in and out of the high chair).
Cleaning is important, of course, but what about safety? Mockingbird prides itself on keeping your child safe and comfortable, too. The safety harness is easy to adjust and includes 5-points of contact to ensure your kiddo stays completely safe in their chair. The brand’s assembly process is just as impressive. I recently spent over an hour assembling a different high-end high chair and candidly, it sucked. I was so frustrated and had to redo several steps in the process. Ain’t no parent got time for that! Mockingbird knows that, too, and has made set-up quick and uncomplicated.
Of course, no product is perfect. My only two complaints: it doesn’t fold up, which could frustrate parents who like to store things away when not in use. The lack of folding does mean fewer crevices for food and crumbs to accumulate, though! In addition, it does only come in the white colorway at the moment. With two large, black pups, white doesn’t cut it around my house. Fur gets everywhere and we usually opt for darker colors!
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The Chair that Grows with Your Family
Most high chairs only last your child a few years… maybe. If you only have one or two kids, do the math… the per-day cost isn’t pretty with what some of the luxury high chairs cost. With the chair’s adjustable, 4-position footrest and 3 positions for the tray, the high chair mode for children up to 35 lbs is made to make your child comfortable. Even better, the footrest doesn’t require any tools to adjust!
Beyond 35 lbs, the chair converts to “Child Chair Mode,” which is safe up to 150 lbs! With a high seat and comfortable back meant to help kiddos reach the table, this is one chair your child will want to use for a long time. Talk about bang for your buck. Again… the miracle engineers at Mockingbird have made it so converting to Child Chair Mode requires zero tools. Brilliant.
So… Is it Worth the Price Tag?
Of course, for most of us mere mortals in trying economic times, $230 is still nothing to sneeze at when it comes to buying something. That being said, I do feel it is a reasonable price for such a thoughtfully-designed and well-made product like this. True to Mockingbird’s mission, the high chair is yet another example of their commitment to excellent craftsmanship and materials at a fraction of the cost of other brands. With the ability to use the chair for years, ease of cleaning, and the minimalistic design, this one’s a winner in our book. Bon appetit, parents!
BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET YOUR HANDS ON MOCKINGBIRD’S GORGEOUS, NEW HIGH CHAIR.
