Grow with me
Written: Mar 21 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Able to grow with your child with the adjustable features.
Cons: Not that easy to assemble
The Bottom Line: From infancy to toddler, the Graco Neat Seat grows with your child.
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| Kittyokc's Full Review: Graco Neat Seat Reclining Adjustable |
We bought the Graco Neat Seat help eliminate the problems of highchair time with my son. We had a plain Graco highchair, not listed here on Epinions and he figured out how to get his legs up and crouch on the seat, then he figured how to take the tray off. There was no keeping him in it anymore and he was not big enough for a booster seat at the table yet, so off we went to buy another one.
I have read both good and bad reviews on the Graco Neat Seat, I have to put mine in with the good, we have been very happy with the highchair and my son seems to like it too.
Features
T-bar passive restraint - Most highchairs that I have seen don't have this feature and for most people it isn't need, but with my son liking to pull his legs up to try and get out, this helps. The bar itself stops him from lifting his legs up and the leg openings are large enough for a toddlers chubby legs, although I do suggest you take shoes off, as they can hinder getting the child out.
Large wraparound tray - The tray is a nice size, I wouldn't exactly call it wraparound, but it is slightly curved to give the appearance of wrapping around the child. The tray is made of thick durable plastics and in each corner is a little enclose type compartment, one apparently for a toy or two and the other is like a bottle or cup holder. Depending on the size of your child, the tray has 5 different positions so your child can be comfortable. Can be removed with one hand with the lever on the front of the tray, although you have to make sure you are pulling the tray off evenly.
Thick, removable seat pad - The extra padding really gives your child more comfort, our old highchair had hardly any padding. It is easily removable and cleaned by wiping down with a damp cloth.
Reclining seat - The seat has 3 different positions for your child stage. We haven't used the reclining feature since he was old enough not to have to recline when we bought it. Never adjust while child is in the seat.
Six height positions - This highchair has 6 different height positions. It can be raised or lowered to whatever height you want and in the lower positions, the highchair fits nicely at the kitchen table without the tray. They say it is easy to adjust, but I found that it's not as easy as it sounds.
Restraint system - Unlike most highchairs, including our older one, this one has a restraint system similar to a car seat without the clip across the chest. Each strap goes over the child's shoulders, towards the middle and connects with the strap between the child's legs. These straps are easily adjusted to fit your child, but a toddler can easily figure out how to slide the straps over their shoulders. This doesn't pose a real danger since the t-bar and tray help secure them also.
Assembly
It will take you some time to put this highchair together, the instructions are there, but they can be confusing, it took my husband about 45 minutes to put it together.
Adjustability
The height and seat positions can be adjusted, but they aren't as easy to do as they would like to tell you. It takes a bit of strength to adjust the height, but I would rather have it a little difficult to adjust rather than it being too easy where it could possibly slip and hurt my child.
How easy is it to clean?
This highchair is very easy to clean, the seat pad is easily removable and wiped clean with a damp cloth and the highchair doesn't have any small crevices, so that's pretty easy to clean also. The hardest thing to keep clean are the straps.
Likes
I like just about everything about the Graco Neat Seat. I like the height adjustability and the tall seat. I also love the fact that my son cannot take the tray off himself like he could do with the other one. My son appears pretty comfortable in the seat and the seat is kinda curved around your child, so if they tend to fall asleep in the highchair, they rest their head on the side instead of having their head bob around. The thick padding is great too, my son hasn't complained about sitting in it at all, he would complain about the other highchair when he was in it for anything length of time, saying too hard, so the padding is a great asset.
Dislikes
It was a little difficult to put together, it's not as easy to adjust as they say it is and the tray isn't as easy on or off as they say either. You have to make sure you are going straight on with the tray or one of the sides won't latch into the notch, but it's easy to just wiggle that side a bit and have it go into the right notch, so it's not too bad.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a decent highchair with added comfort, the Graco Neat Seat is a good one. The adjustability allows the highchair to grow with your child as they get older before moving to the table without a highchair. The height adjustments allow you to use it as a sort of booster seat for the kitchen table at home. And if you have an escape artist like I do, they won't be able to get out on their own, in fact, my son doesn't even try to get out of the highchair anymore, maybe he just didn't like the other one. The weight limit is 37 pounds, my son is two and only 30 pounds, so he still fits in it nicely, he likes being at the big table with everyone else and this highchair allows him to do that.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Kittyokc
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 in Pets, Games |
 - Top 500 |
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Member: Kathy
Location: Oklahoma
Reviews written: 386
Trusted by: 413 members
About Me:
Please email me if you have questions regarding a rating or just general questions.
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