Ikea Antilop. Questions.

[happymomm]

Hi ladies
Going crazy researching highchairs. The Antilop is a big favorite on the forums here. If you have used it, can you pls tell me -

1. how sturdy you think it is/ If you have a very restless, always on the move baby, will this chair hold up?
2. How much floor space does it take up? Say, as compared to other popular ones like chicco happy snack.
3. It does not have any adjustable features, so important to know upto what age of baby will this be usable?

Any other highchair suggestions? Really need to buy it this week (already too late, as we were out of country last many many weeks and LO is already on 3 meals a day). Thanks for your help.

 

[candyem]

I am going to buy one tomorrow.

My LO went in his cousins at Xmas and it was fab! Seemed very sturdy and so much easier to clean My LO doesn't sit still and tries to throw himself out every now and then but he was secure enough for me not to worry.

 

[Casey3]

I have a baby always on the move and its fine.. I have to be close and keep my eye on him as he can escape if the seat belt loosens but if he's in a high chair he should have someone close anyways! And when he's excited and he hops in the seat it move a few inches on the floor but its stable so I'm not worried!

I think all highchairs take up room since the legs splay out a bit but I have no others to compare to, its all we've used. Def not a bulky chair though

Our baby is 1 year and about 24lbs and he still fits fine, I don't see him growing out of it at all

SOOO easy to clean, I'd by another in a heart beat and wouldn't buy any other style. Fabric ones and ones with cushions etc just seem like a breeding ground for bacteria, I love that the antilop is all plastic and can be wiped right down!

Plus its cheap!

 

[babydust1990]

Its very study, very compact and SO easy to clean! You can take the legs off it if you need to store it. It fit in my c1 with plenty of room to spare My LO is only 4 (nearly 5) months and goes in it daily. I just stick a blanket on the back of it when he's just playing in it to make it comfier (I think you can buy an insert for it though)

 

[Banshee]

It is sturdy, ds2 loves to throw himself around and it is fine. It does take up quite a lot of floor space compared to my other east coast wooden highchair. At the moment have a cushion down the back for ds2 as he's still quite small but as PP has said you can buy an insert. Ds1 will fit in it as well and he's 2 so it's pretty big. I love it and prefer it so much to the one I have for ds1 which is a wooden east coast one which is so difficult to clean!!

 

[Sussy]

Buy it!!! Seriously as a nursery nurse I have cleaned hundreds and it is by far the best as easy to clean. My friend has a sizeable 2 1/2 yr old and they still fit. Don't y understand the need for highchairs that recline etc why do you want to sleep when eating?!

 

[summer rain]

1. how sturdy you think it is/ If you have a very restless, always on the move baby, will this chair hold up? It is very sturdy one reason why it is used in most cafes and restaurants here; never experienced it tip and whether LO is in the chair or outside it I would think it would be virtually impossible for a toddler to tip over.

2. How much floor space does it take up? Say, as compared to other popular ones like chicco happy snack. About the same as those folding 'travel' highchairs and definitely considerably less than the happy snack; someone bought us mothercare's own version of the happy snack which is almost identical and clearly made in the same factory we could never use it as it was just too big for our kitchen.

3. It does not have any adjustable features, so important to know upto what age of baby will this be usable? My son got bored of it when he turned two as he wanted to sit on the stools at the table with the other boys, but still fits in it well. He also cannot unfasten the seatbelt in it yet but if you're worried just the lapbelt is too flimsy if you can get a 5 point harness I am sure there is some way of fitting it.

 

[pachamama92]

Hey, we've been using this highchair for 2 months,

1.) The design of the chair is very sturdy and simple, I feel very comfortable that LO is secure. The only niggle I had at the start was than our LO wobbled about quite a bit at first because he was only 6 months old (he's 9 now and fine). I do think it helped encourage him to sit properly. Anyway, shouldn't be an issue for you as your LO is older

2.) It takes up less space than I thought it would, it's quite neat. Although it's very simple and very cheap, it's a nice design. It's at exactly the same height as our kitchen table (also from IKEA) so good for feeding. VERY easy to put up and take apart if need be. Doesn't fold but have never needed it to (and we live in a small flat).

3.) I'd say you could use this for a good while! It's pretty spacious.

The only down side I can see is that it doesn't really look very comfy. I say this but LO is perfectly happy to play in it until he gets bored. It is on the other hand very easy to clean as no padded bits to get full of lentils!

 

[veganmama]

ill keep it simple. its the best chair ever!

 

[happymomm]

Thanks everyone. How about the tray size? Is it big enough same as others ? Looks small in pics

(sorry for all the ques but ikea is out of the way for us and we'll be making a special trip just for this chair. So trying to be sure in advance)

 

[Casey3]

The tray is a decent size, similar to other high chairs I've seen, def wouldn't call it small. LO can stretch his arm out the whole length of the tray and "windshield wiper" all his food off!

 

[SillyMoo1983]

We have this high chair and can't complain such good value for money, easy to clean, compact. To start with I put a cushion behind her as she didn't sit unsupported until nearly 9 months old and she kept slipping back. The only thing I feel I should mention is I think it should have a 5 point harness which it currently doesn't have. I turned my back on my LO to cut some cucumber for about 10 secs and when I turned round she'd managed to stand herself up. She is small though and rather bendy! She was about 14 months. I have since invested in another high chair but only because it was for sale 2nd hand about 5 mins away from home. Otherwise I'd still have her in the Ikea one.

 

[readytotry]

Tray is larger than average IMO.

You can get a 5 point harness from mothercare (look in the reins section). It is designed for reins, pushchairs and highchairs. It is easy to install through the existing holes of the antilop. I find it better than the lap belt supplied with the highchair. I found a used one on eBay for a few pounds.

It doesn't fold so you would need to be able to keep it out all the time or take it apart (takes about 30secs) each time you use it.

I would definitely recommend it.

 

[Tacey]

The tray is 38cm by 20cm (not including the lip). The space it takes up is 57cm by 60cm.

I'd second what everyone has said. It's a lovely high chair. So hygienic, and simple. Alice used it until she was 2. She was about 28lbs when she stopped going in it.

It's worth the trip!

 

[MrsT&Ben]

I spent £60 on my high chair and hated it. I really wanted one of these high chairs and wished I'd got one they really are brilliant!

 

[MumToEva]

We have this high chair and can't complain such good value for money, easy to clean, compact. To start with I put a cushion behind her as she didn't sit unsupported until nearly 9 months old and she kept slipping back. The only thing I feel I should mention is I think it should have a 5 point harness which it currently doesn't have. I turned my back on my LO to cut some cucumber for about 10 secs and when I turned round she'd managed to stand herself up. She is small though and rather bendy! She was about 14 months. I have since invested in another high chair but only because it was for sale 2nd hand about 5 mins away from home. Otherwise I'd still have her in the Ikea one.

Much as I love the Antiop high chair I have to agree with sillymoo that the lap belt is inadequate for restraining my daughter at the minute as she seems determined to try to climb out of it. Like sillymoo's LO eva is also small and wiry, so it might not be a problem with bigger children. Thanks for the tip about the mothercare reins readytotry - will buy a set and try, cause apart from that it really is a great highchair.

 

[parmaviolet]

love it love it love it! Its so easy to clean and very sturdy. I bought a fancier one first but soon swapped for the Antilop. Also when we go away I just take the legs off and it goes in the car no problem. My sister has just bought two for her twin boys too so we had 3 round the table on Christmas Day!

 

[kat2504]

Easy to clean, compact to store, cheap - it's great!
Ikea do sell an inflatable cushion to use for a smaller baby who is not sitting entirely unaided yet. Don't see the point in a reclining highchair myself - if your baby can't sit in the antilop upright with the support cushion then they really are not ready for weaning yet! if you are feeding your baby it is safer for them to be sitting upright - choking is more likely in a reclined position.

 

[readytotry]

We have this high chair and can't complain such good value for money, easy to clean, compact. To start with I put a cushion behind her as she didn't sit unsupported until nearly 9 months old and she kept slipping back. The only thing I feel I should mention is I think it should have a 5 point harness which it currently doesn't have. I turned my back on my LO to cut some cucumber for about 10 secs and when I turned round she'd managed to stand herself up. She is small though and rather bendy! She was about 14 months. I have since invested in another high chair but only because it was for sale 2nd hand about 5 mins away from home. Otherwise I'd still have her in the Ikea one.

Much as I love the Antiop high chair I have to agree with sillymoo that the lap belt is inadequate for restraining my daughter at the minute as she seems determined to try to climb out of it. Like sillymoo's LO eva is also small and wiry, so it might not be a problem with bigger children. Thanks for the tip about the mothercare reins readytotry - will buy a set and try, cause apart from that it really is a great highchair.

I think I have the older version of these ones.

https://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Adjustable-Walking-Reins/450929,default,pd.html

They come with two short straps which you swap the long reins for. The short straps go through the holes in the antilop and it has plastic buckles you put on the end if the straps to stop them coming back through.

Eta - my 11 month old is on the large side but is a contortionist so likes to sit with her legs over the top bar. I am much more comfortable with her in the 5 point harness and am surprised it doesn't come as standard. Or at least as a cheap extra like the cushion.

 

[happymomm]

oh yes. the harness! Antilop doesn't have a 5 point harness Just when I thought I was decided.
Don't all kids try and jump out of their highchairs/prams/seats once they are 9-10 months above lol? Mine is already very nosy and wants to reach everywhere that he can.. Can sit upright though.
Some of you said you used it till baby was 2 years. Didn't you face this problem or do they stay put until you are watching?
Thanks for the mothercare harness link. But how does it go through the antilop holes? I mean there isn't any at the top?