Mamas & Papas Prima Pappa High Chair : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Author's product rating:

Advantages:	Looks comfortable, folds easily, freestanding
Disadvantages:	Not cheap, too many cracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

When I had my daughter, my friend sold me her highchair for £20 - so I snatched her hand off!

I then discovered how good my deal was... I had bought a hardly used Prima Pappa highchair, which normally costs around £100 new (give or take a few pounds depending on shops and sales).

It isn't a very slim-line highchair to look at, but when it is folded, it stands against a wall easily, not taking up too much room. It also has the advantage that it locks into its folded position easily, so there is no chance of it opening and squishing a passing child (or grown up!) by accident. It is quite heavy though, so when they get to the age of trying to climb up it, it can hurt more than a lighter one! My house must sound like a death trap!

The seat itself is lovely and padded, with a plasticy covering that can be wiped clean easily, and can also be removed for cleaning. The seat itself has four different positions, so it can be reclined or made upright as suits your baby - this was especially useful when Bronwyn was first feeding, but not as steady sitting alone as she could be, as we could recline it and still sit easily to feed her. The seat can also be raised through 7 different positions, making it ideal for any height table. It has a five point harness, so that your child can be sat securely, and the shoulder straps can be detatched, to enable you to just strap in around the waist if you prefer - this does make it slightly less safe for your child (but mine hates shoulder restraints, so is much happier without them).

Prima Pappa has a large tray, which is easily removed/secured with one hand, to aid parents holding a wriggly baby who is trying to escape!

There are wheels on the bottom, so that you can move it easily, and the back wheels can be locked.

It works very well, and my little one seems happy in it, but I feel that there are a few to many creases and folds for my liking - The wipeable seat is great, but when you have a small child who likes squishing sandwiches etc. down the sides, the food tends to get stuck in the creases, and wiping can't always get it, you have to take off the whole cover and scrub it (then you get the great task of putting it back on! Like getting lost inside a duvet cover, but with lots more corners to find).

The tray also has a big join going all the way around it, and my child at least, likes chewing the side halfway through a mouthfull, and food gets lodged in the gap, meaning that instead of a quick wipe with Mr Muscle and putting it away, you have to scrub in the edges with a brush, or risk lot sof nasty things in there next time she decides to eat it!

For a family house, and someone who doesn't mind the odd bit of scrubbing, this is an excellent highchair, very comfortable, easy to use, and sturdy - this thing'll last for quite a few children! But if you are in a little flat, or don't want the hassle of having to thoroughly clean it regularly rather than just a quick wipe after meals, then its probably not for you.

I love it as a great special offer, but I wouldn't go out and buy it new.