Chicco Polly Magic Relax review

Retailing at £139, it sits alongside Joie’s Multiply 6 in 1, Stokke’s Tripp Trapp and Cosatto’s Noodle in the market, though it is the only one combining a baby seat with a high chair, which is a nice advantage.

Tested by:

Bethan is a first-time mum to a ten-month-old girl Annie, who is an enthusiastic eater and quite well used to highchairs, but who is far too busy to lie down and relax (ever. Unless she’s sleeping).

First impressions:

Simple to assemble, it is a comfortable chair offering four positions, including the upright feeding position. From 0-6 months, it is a reclining baby seat with a toy bar to entertain the baby and introduce them to the high chair. From six months up, it is a comfortable, sturdy and adjustable seat for mealtimes, which has eight height settings.

It’s great, really well made, very sturdy, safe and anti-tilt. It also looks nice, with a neutral grey palette ideal for babies of either gender. The designers have definitely thought about comfort for baby, with both the sturdiness of the design and the comfortable leather seat, and it is very intuitive to use – all the buttons and additional features such as the toy bar, the additional seat liner and the adjustment buttons, are easy to use.

How easy is the Chicco Polly Magic Relax to assemble?

I found it really simple to assemble, which is unusual for me as I tend to find baby kit a bit of a nightmare to put together! But I managed to figure out all the functions and buttons of this high chair with minimal consultation of the instructions. It is very intuitive and true to the brand’s aims of creating things for parents that are user friendly.

How big is it?

It is pretty big and bulky. Its dimensions when open are over 1m in height and 83cm in depth. The company describes it as having a ‘compact fold’ and, while it does fold well and could be slotted into a narrower space, it definitely does take up room. We usually use a Joie Mimzy highchair, which also takes up a fair amount of space, but the Chicco is slightly larger and definitely bulkier, weighing 10.5kg.

How portable is the Chicco Polly Magic Relax to move around the house?

It has four wheels, so could be wheeled from room to room, though carpeted floors can make this slightly trickier. However, it can also be folded and carried without too much trouble, though it doesn’t fold down very small and is pretty heavy.

What did you think of the wheels?

They are simple to fit and a good idea, but, in my experience, high chairs don’t tend to get wheeled around the house that much, and on our carpeted floors, the wheels didn’t move seamlessly.

Can the Chicco Polly Magic Relax be used as a travel highchair?

No. It’s a big piece of kit, especially the wide tray table, which is great for babies who like to spread out at mealtimes (and reduces the likelihood of food overboard!) but does add to the overall size.

How comfortable is the seating?

Definitely. It is lovely and padded, with a comfortable eco leather seat. There is an additional seat liner included for smaller babies, to make the seat a snugger fit. It is fleecy on one side for warmth in winter, with a cooling fabric on the reverse for use in summer time.

Is the Chicco Polly Magic Relax comfort recliner function effective and comfy?

It wasn’t hugely effect for Annie because, at 10 months, she has no interest in reclining, and just strained to sit upright. But I can imagine for a younger baby that can’t sit up unaided yet, it would be ideal and very comfortable. You could hang additional favourite toys off the toy bar in the hope of keeping them happy in there longer.

How effective is the Chicco Polly Magic Relax as a highchair?

Very effective, with a large tray for food, a drinks holder, a safe and simple harness and several adjustments to use as baby grows or at different tables.

How useful is the tray?

It is very chunky and not very light, but it is a good solid tray. I also particularly liked the feature that allows you to clip the tray onto the back of the high chair when not in use to keep everything tidy.

Is the highchair easy to clean?

It is no easier or less easy to clean than the Joie Mimzy, in my opinion. Wipe-clean surfaces are great, but there will always be crumbs in the crevices of fabrics (which wouldn’t happen with the Tripp Trapp, for example). That said, it is very easy to wipe clean and a dark enough colour to disguise stains.

Who is the Chicco Polly Magic Relax most suited for?

I would especially recommend this to new mums. Most of us remember the days of juggling with an unsettled newborn during the witching hour while also trying to eat dinner with one hand. The Polly Magic Relax offers a potential alternative to put the baby in a comfortable reclined seat with a fun toy bar to look at, while everyone else sits at the table. The reality might be somewhat different! If only this high chair also had a vibrate function and played singing lullabies! But, if all else fails, the 0-6 month reclining function is a great way of introducing the idea of the high chair and mealtimes before weaning commences.

Where can I buy the Chicco Polly Magic Relax?

It is available from Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeforMums verdict:

The Chicco Polly Magic Relax is a great idea. I love the thought of sitting at the table having a meal with a gurgling baby lying in the reclined seat and enjoying being entertained by the toy bar. The reality, at least with my baby, is that she probably wouldn’t have been happy to put down in any chair while she was very young, so it would’ve got very little use! But for parents of chilled out little babies, it could work perfectly. Reclining seat aside, the high chair element is a great, safe and sturdy design that I would be happy to use, but it doesn’t exceed its competitors in any way.

Read More...

• Buyer's guide to highchairs
• Best highchairs for small spaces
• Best travel highchairs and booster seats

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