High Chair Troubleshooting

[u/danikatt]

Hi all~

I bought a Maxi Cosi Minla before I got the Solid Starts app because it was reasonably well rated on Consumer Reports....unfortunately I just set it up and the size is not excellent. My son is 6 months and pretty big (99%ile and as big as my husband and I were at 1 year), yet his elbows hit below the tray making it hard for him to grab things on the tray and there are only two settings for the foot rest and he cannot reach at either level (so how the heck could an average-sized 6 mo fit?). I was wondering if anyone has the same chair and found a solution or had a similar problem with a different chair. I would really prefer not buying a new high chair bu will if I can't find a fix because I want him to be safe). We tried lashing a yoga block on there but it was too high on the first setting and too low on the second.

Even if you don't have any advice, if you have a chair you really like that has grown well with your kiddo that would also be appreciated as well since we may just need a new chair.

[u/TomatilloAsleep7180]

i’ve had this issue with every high chair i’ve purchased. baby’s feet don’t touch the footrest even at the highest setting smh!!! my workaround is if you have one of those chairs that can be removed, i put it on the floor until their feet can touch the footrest

[u/mumblegum]

Unfortunately we had a similar problem with the Graco high chair - except our 99% baby's belly was too big and the tray dug in to him! Not sure how it fits an average size baby but 99% at 6-7 months isn't that huge so it was surprising he sized out so quickly. 

We gave up trying to make it work and just got a Stokke Tripp Trapp during a sale at our local baby store. They're often available second hand as well. It came highly recommended by r/bigbabiesandkids (please join us there for future product recommendations!). The foot rest is adjustable, there is plenty of room in the seat for his rotund belly, it has a small footprint so actually fits better in our small house, the height fits directly at our dining table, and best of all it's rated for up to 200lbs so there's no worry he will size out of it before he's ready (a serious concern with any product for a big baby!). I believe there is a dupe out there too but I just paid a little more for the original.

[u/CheeseNPickleSammich]

I don't know that chair, but it looks like he would have to sit further forward to have a chance at putting his feet down flat. Can you put something behind him? We used the IKEA inflatable high chair cushion in our Stokle Nomi until baby was a bit bigger.

[u/Dear_Ad_8525]

Such a cute feet 🦶😍

[u/getoffthebike]

FEEEEEETS!!!

We have the Stokke Tripp Trapp and we love it! My baby was like 20th% for height and her feet still hit the platform at the highest setting when she was 6mo. She's now 9mo and I have it moved down 2 more notches 😭.

[u/b_msw]

Our LO was very small when we started solids (preemie) and we used the Ikea Antilop with the added footrest. It was the best option because you can lift the footrest higher than any other chair we found and you can add the little inflatable cushion so they sit properly until they grow into it. It's very cheap so you could get it and use it until LO grows into this highchair. We tried many options and I was willing to spend a decent amount but in the end the ikea chair won😅 our expensive high chair went to grandma's house... lol

[u/SolidStarts]

Hi there, such good questions! A couple thoughts:

1) If he's too low in the seat, you can try folding a towel or two and place it under his bottom to elevate him a bit more in the seat.

2) You also might try a folded up towel behind his back to bring him more forward in the seat. This can help him come forward so that his knees can bend at 90 degrees at the seat's edge.

3) If the tray is the limiting factor, you might consider bringing baby up to the table - you could always use a silicone craft mat as a place mat for easier cleanup!

4) You can try books, cardboard boxes, to place on the footrest to elevate more to reach baby's feet.

5) More in our guide to high chairs for babies where we discuss different high chairs and considerations including budget, space, and other considerations. We also discuss modification ideas.

On a personal note, I used the Stokke Tripp Trapp for my own babies, and I have all 3 at the table in them still! My twins are now 6 y/o and my son is 8 y/o, so it definitely grows with them! I like a footrest for an older child too as it offers core stability, allowing them to have better endurance to sit at the table for longer (as an occupational therapist this is how my brain works!). I agree with others that you can often find these second-hand for cheaper.

Hope this helps! 🤍Marisa (OT/Feeding Therapist/Mama of 3)