Does everything you need it to do and nothing that isn't essential.
A highchair is a pretty essential piece of baby kit, but one you don’t need until your little one is about 6 months old - by which time funds have generally run dry! Keeping that in mind I was thrilled when I found the Ikea Antilop highchair, which costs around £10.
The Ikea Antilop highchair has proven popular not only with mums but with restaurants too. As well as being cheap, its simple design means there are no nooks and crannies for bits of food to get trapped in and cleaning takes seconds with an antibacterial wipe. The highchair is basic in that it has just one sitting position and one height and is available in silver-colour and white. And, as with most things from Ikea, you can’t argue with the price!
What we love
I bought this highchair for my little girl Evie, who’s now 14 months, because our house is quite small and the highchair is very compact - I saw loads that were much bulkier. It doesn’t have a harness, just a safety belt, but there’s no footrest so I think it would be hard for Evie to climb out as there’s nothing for her to push up against. The highchair is really easy to clean, which is great because Evie absolutely insists on feeding herself, and most of her cereal/yoghurt/casserole ends up on the chair rather than in her mouth. It is also just the right height to pull up to the table so Evie can join in family meals.
You can easily pull the legs off and throw it in the back of the car if you’re going to stay with family or friends, but it’s so cheap that lots of people buy two and keep one at their mum’s place to save the hassle. I like the fact that it’s not too babyish – just neutral colours and functional design. The chair itself is made from material that can be recycled, but I plan to have more children so I expect to be using it for some years to come. You can also buy a tray and a blow-up cushion to go with it for extra comfort. It’s light enough to easily move from room to room or into the garden, and you can try before you buy at the restaurants in Ikea stores. Ultimately, at that price, what’s not to love?
What to watch out for
The highchair doesn’t fold, so if you’re someone who likes to get everything tidied away after every meal, this certainly isn’t the highchair for you. It is also only suitable once your baby can sit up fairly well by themselves as it doesn’t recline. I find it quite difficult to take the tray off, so I tend not to use it unless I have to and although the safety belt is sufficient for Evie it may be a bit too flimsy for a much older child of 2 or 3.
Who is the Ikea Antilop highchair best for?
Mums who don’t like to spend more money than they have to or are on a tight budget.
I really like this highchair and would thoroughly recommend it – in fact, quite a few of my friends have bought one. But if you prefer natural materials or want a chair that lasts beyond the baby and toddler years, then it’s probably not for you.
