Graco Contempo
Safety 1st Vineland
Ease of Storage
It is very compact, stands upright on its own (no need to lay against a wall), and fits where other highchairs don't.
According to reviews it folds remarkably flat and when folded, can easily fit in a pantry or broom closet of even be slid next to the fridge.
In fact, the Vineland is comfortable enough to store without folding, as it doesn't take up a lot of space. Its modest size is a good fit even in a small apartment kitchen.
Ease of Clean
According to reviews, the removable seat pad is easily wiped clean and can be machine-washed separately.
Some parents commented that it is a bit difficult to get the cover off for washing and to put it back on again. Also, the extra seat cover provided is fabric, rather than vinyl.
Food can sometimes get caught between the trays, which means the base tray needs to be wiped-clean because it doesn't fit in standard dishwashers. The straps are not removable and cannot be washed in a dishwasher or washing machine, just wiped clean.
The removable tray is dishwasher safe, so in theory, you can wash it with your other dishes, saving time. In practice, the way the chair's trays snap on to the chair and on top of each other, makes it harder to clean than you would expect.
Ease of Use
The 6 height levels allow you to have your baby at table height or at your level. The easy to use recline provides body support for infants and a comfortable position for feeding or an after-meal bottle or nap. There is also a soft infant head support, for extra comfort.
The double tray is an advantage. You can use both the snap-on top tray and the bottom one. The 5-point harness is also very easy to use and designed for quick removal of the baby when the harness is unsnapped.
There are excellent reviews from parents on the recline feature, the height adjustment mechanism, and the overall ease of use of the Graco Contempo. According to reviews the wheels are easy to roll, although may be squeaky sometimes. Very few reviews mentioned any problem with the castors (wheels) locking system. Some reviewers mentioned that it may be too easy for toddlers to pull up the top tray and spill food. Also the un-adjustable footrest is not very functional.
The food tray has four adjustments and a guard that will not allow a child to put his feet into the tray's adjustment handle. This ensures that your baby will not accidently remove the tray while eating.
The food tray fits well on the chair, and can be adjusted so it is closer or further away from the baby. It is usually quite easy to pull out for cleaning, but doing it single-handedly - while holding your baby - may prove a little difficult.
The three-point harness is confusing for some parents, and may seem low quality. These seem to be isolated incidents and not a recurring issue with the chair.
The seat pad is a little on the thin side, and some parents commented that it could be a little thicker. However, you need to remember that this is a chair for baby, and the thin cushion is probably enough. The seat is attached with velcros, and is easily removable for cleaning.
The Vineland's base is not much broader than its top, meaning that there is ample leg room around it for when you need to put your baby in or take her out of the chair. You don't have to stoop to do it like with some of the other high chairs.
Ease of Set-up
While this is a very sturdy high chair, it is still a breeze to set up. You will usually need 5 to 10 minutes to assemble the chair, and most buyers report that they had no problem whatsoever with it.
The only problem you may encounter with the Vineland's set up is a slight wobble to the chair after assembly is complete. Watch out for this as you put it together and you'll be fine.
Entertainment for Baby
Style
When you first lay your eyes on the Vineland it looks a little too bulky. This feeling goes away once you get used to the high chair. When you start using it, you'll find that when it's pulled up towards the table, it is like any other chair - only more sturdy.
The Vineland is not perfect in terms of style. Like many types of wooden furniture, the high chair's wood is soft and may scratch easily. Additionally, some buyers complained that the chair's colors are not exactly as asvertised. The seat pad and removable tray are neutral cream color,unlike in some of the photos.
Graco Contempo
Safety 1st Vineland
Graco Contempo
based on 138 customer reviews
Feel factor: 18
Awesome highchair!
(Score 5/5)
Great highchair with awesome features! Easily adjust height and seat back can be fully upright or somewhat reclined. Top of tray can be removed for easy cleaning. Three point safety harness is very easy to attach and release. Tray can be moved with one hand. Very happy with this product and highly recommended.
Posted on: 2010-09-18
By Sandbillcrane
Graco Contempo Highchair, Rittenhouse
(Score 5/5)
pattern is wonderful even though i havent used it yet it looks very roomy& it reclines only thing is the seat is cloth wich isnt a good idea for a high chair since it will be used for feeding but over all its 1 of the best highchairs i have looked at and compared
Posted on: 2010-09-10
By cdgdb
Good for two years
(Score 3/5)
PROS:
1. This chair is very stable.
2. Entire seat is washable. I throw mine in the washer.
3. Folds flat in a snap for those with small kitchens or multiple chairs.
Cons:
1. Hard to reassemble the seat after wash.
2. At around 15 mo. my daughter figured out how to take the inner tray out (and fling it).
3. At age 2 she could buckle and unbuckle herself making it quite unsafe to leave her unattended even for a minute.
4. Few month later now she has figured out how to use the lower bar and foot rest as steps to climb up.
5. She is two years four months now she is able to remove the main tray by pressing the latch.
Bottomline:
My child has eaten almost every meal in this chair. Except for a little phase she went through when she did not like sitting in it she enjoys it as well. Thus making it the most useful baby gear we purchased. My child is an average size child and i have been quite surprised with her ability to do the above mentioned things.
Overall, it is still a good chair and we still use it as she is not ready to sit at a table yet. I believe if Graco can make this a toddler proof chair it would be a superb product.
Posted on: 2010-09-02
By AS
Thank you graco
(Score 4/5)
These highchairs are fabulous. I have twins so I had to buy two highchairs. These were not super expensive and they are easy to clean easy to store and fold easily. I can't say enough great things about the pattern as well. A great purchase.
Posted on: 2010-08-30
By Chelsea
Great highchair
(Score 5/5)
We love this highchair. Its very comfortable, SUCH a beautiful design for boy or girl, and easy to wash. My only bad thing to say is that the dishwasher safe tray NEVER fits in the dishwasher..its huge and it doesn't fit right in any dishwasher so if you are looking for a highchair with a easy dishwasher safe tray, probably not the best one. But this chair makes up for it : )
Posted on: 2010-08-28
By Bs Mom
Safety 1st Vineland
based on 32 customer reviews
Feel factor: 10
High chair isn't safe.
(Score 1/5)
My son was sitting in this high chair and banged his head on the tray as he fell asleep. He hit his head so hard that the hospital accused me of child abuse. DO NOT BUY THIS HIGH CHAIR if your children fall asleep after eating.
Posted on: 2010-05-23
By Carol Hunt
Nice High chair
(Score 4/5)
This high chair is very beautiful and not too difficult to clean. I got tired of washing the cover so I have him just sitting on the wood. It's a little uncomfortable I'm sure, but he doesn't seem to mind. Overall, this is a great high chair and I highly recommend it.
Posted on: 2010-01-30
By Christy Elam
Would recommened
(Score 5/5)
Bought this as a gift and she loves it still uses it today, 2years later.
Posted on: 2009-08-02
By Ashley Cheramie
Perfect
(Score 5/5)
Really easy to assemble, great price and good quality, I have to say I am quite impressed. I love it. Not to mention it goes well with my house!
However, it is more of a cherrywood color.Definately reccomend it. No sense in spending 150-200 on 'brand name' sort-o speak.
Posted on: 2009-07-10
By Crystal Anderson
Best Real Wood High Chair
(Score 5/5)
We are very satisfied with this high chair. I shopped around a lot and almost settled for a plastic high chair until I found this one. DH assembled it in less than 10 minutes. It is very sturdy, easy to put baby in and out, tray truly moves with one hand, and top tray pops out for easy cleaning. I am so glad we found this chair and didn't settle!
Posted on: 2009-07-06
By C. Briceno

