Not Your Ordinary Highchairs: The Svan vs. The Tripp Trapp
Quite honestly, I was dreading buying a new high chair for my youngest son, Austin. With my oldest, we had just a standard plastic high chair that “conveniently folded up and was easily stored.” (insert me rolling my eyes here). He used it from about four and a half months until a little over a year old, and then we got a booster seat for a chair at the dinner table. We folded up the high chair and off to the garage it went until the next baby. A couple years later, we still only had the one child, so we sold it in a garage sale to make more room in our garage. So when we got pregnant this time I knew I wanted something that I would not only be able to use for a longer period of time, but that wasn’t as bulky. In my research I came across two high chairs—both were beautifully designed and they both GREW with your child. I never knew these chairs existed before. Buying a highchair can be a little overwhelming, especially with a big purchase like a Svan or Tripp Trapp. Lucky for you, I own both. Here are the pros and cons to help you in your decision.
Scandinavian Child’s: Svan High Chair
The Svan High Chair makes mealtime easy. Your baby can interact with the family during meal times by bringing them directly up to the table. As your child grows, so does your chair, converting with them every step of the way. The striking bentwood design fits with any home decor from the uber modern to the more traditional.
Pros:
1. The Scandinavian design has a very modern, chic look
2. It’s made from bent birchwood, so it’s built to last
3. There are five shades of finishes to choose from
4. They sell a variety of different styles of seat cushions, so you’re not stuck with an animal or cartoon character. After all, high chairs typically go where you eat and not in your child’s nursery.
5. The plastic detachable tray is BPA-free and phthalate-free
6. Designed to be used from ages six months – adult.
7. Smaller sitting area for younger children.
Cons:
1. Hard to clean
2. Hard to assemble
3. Plenty of cracks for food to get into
Stokke: Tripp Trapp High Chair
What do you do when your feet don’t reach the floor and you can’t shift your weight when you feel the need? Well, you can’t move the chair down to the ground, because then your elbows won’t reach the table. So how about moving the floor up to meet your feet? That’s what the Tripp Trapp® does, by providing a stable footrest that supports a child’s feet and allows him to sit at the correct height, his elbows in height with the table, in comfort and security. Then there’s the problem of the upper body not being supported because the back rest is too far away. The Tripp Trapp® chair’s unique depth adjustability solves that one, meaning that no matter how big or small your baby, his or her feet and back can be perfectly supported. Not only does this chair grow with your child, it can adjust to custom fit your child’s body, enabling comfortable and natural ergonomic sitting.
Pros:
1. Very modern and sleek design. This design is not as bulky as the Svan.
2. Thirteen different colors to choose from
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3. Incredibly easy to clean4. Assembling the chair is quick and easy
5. No cracks for food to get into
6. Stokke sells a Newborn Set for ages 0-6 months;
7. You can purchase their beautiful, modern seat cushions to go with the baby set.
Cons:
1. The Tripp Trapp does not come as a high chair. You have to purchase the Baby Set separately. According to the company, “The baby set consists of high back and rail supports. Your child can start using Tripp Trapp® with the Tripp Trapp® Baby Set™ when they are able to sit up unaided, usually around the age of six to nine months. It can be used until your child is approximately three years, providing protected seating for your child. The Baby Set is available in the same color range as the Tripp Trapp chair.”
2. The Tripp Trapp isn’t as tall as I would like it to be. With that said, we do have a really tall table which probably plays into the fact my youngest can’t reach the table in it yet.
So which one is the best?
I honestly wouldn’t put the two in the same category. Sure both grow with your child, but they are different in so many ways. For our family, I would have to choose the Tripp Trapp. It will really grow with my family and it is easier to clean—and I am all for that.
The price tag of both will run you more than a typical highchair, but in the scheme of things, these chairs seem more cost-effective since your child will use it for years to come.
* I was not compensated for this post, I personally own both chairs.
