I’m excited to share my personal experience to write this Stokke Tripp Trapp review to share with you, and why I think it’s worth every penny. Because yes, this product doesn’t come cheap but hopefully I’ll show you why it’s worth it!
Introducing my Montessori-inspired Approach to Baby-Led Weaning
Before delving into the benefits of the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, it’s essential to understand the Montessori approach to baby-led weaning and how I’ve applied it in my own way. Keeping in mind the Montessori philosophy, which emphasizes independence, self-discovery, and hands-on learning, my method of introducing solid foods allowed my child to explore and learn at his own pace. Instead of relying on traditional purees and spoon-feeding, the Montessori approach encourages offering your little one a variety of soft, easy-to-grasp foods, allowing them to self-feed and explore different textures, flavors, and smells. When starting Bear on solids, we did a combination of puree and baby-led weaning, known as combination feeding, which worked well for our family.
Takinng a child-centered approach to weaning fosters a sense of autonomy and self-confidence in your child’s eating abilities, helping them develop a healthy relationship with food from a young age. By providing an environment that encourages exploration and learning through experience, Montessori-aligned weaning supports the development of essential motor skills, sensory awareness, and social skills during mealtimes.
With this foundation in mind, the Stokke Tripp Trapp highchair becomes an invaluable tool for parents wanting to create a supportive and engaging mealtime environment that aligns with the Montessori philosophy, while still having the benefits of using a traditional highchair.
Our Stokke Tripp Trapp Set Up
I was drawn to the Tripp Trapp for its classic design. We chose the Mint Green color as it fits well with our home decor, which is a blend of mid-century modern and kitschy goodness.
We purchased the add-on Stokke Baby Set, which turns the Stokke Tripp Trapp into a safe highchair. I found the set a little difficult to install, but once its on its on… so I haven’t had to worry about it since and the 5-point safety harness gives me peace of mind. We also added the Stokke Tray, but to be honest, we haven’t used it a whole lot. The tray detaches easily so we just reattach it if we need it.
Things I Love About the Stokke Tripp Trapp – Review
Grows With My Child
One of the things I absolutely love about the Stokke Tripp Trapp is its ability to grow with our child. It’s designed to be used from infancy all the way through toddlerhood and childhood, and can even be used as an adult! This made me decide the investment was worthwhile, as we won’t need to keep buying new chairs as our little one grows.
When we first got our Stokke Tripp Trapp, our son Bear was just a few months old. We used the infant set at first (I think it’s technically called the baby set or newborn set) in conjunction with the Tripp Trapp Tray which provided a cozy and secure space for him.
As he grew, we simply continued with the baby set and adjusted the chair height to accommodate his growing body.
Now, at 16 months old, Bear uses the baby set without the Stokke Tray. However, these days I don’t tent to use the straps as frequently. Over the next few months, we will look to remove the baby set and its associated straps and empower Bear to sit independently in his chair … but he’s not quite ready for that yet!
We Can Tailor the Chair to Our Needs
The Stokke Tripp Trapp is incredibly customizable, which has been a huge help during our baby-led weaning journey. We could asily remove the Tripp Trapp tray, allowing our little one to sit right at the table with the rest of the family.
This has been a game-changer for us, as it’s allowed Bear to feel included in our family mealtimes and has made baby-led weaning much more enjoyable and also easier for all of us.
We also love the fact that you can adjust the chair’s height. This means that as your child grows taller, you can keep lowering the seat so that they’re always at the perfect height for the table. This feature is particularly useful for baby-led weaning because it ensures that your little one is always in a comfortable position to eat. It’s a little bit tricky the first time you do it but once you get the hang of it it’s quite simple!
An often-overlooked aspect of mealtimes for children is the importance of proper foot support. Having a stable and comfortable place for your little one’s feet can make a world of difference in their overall dining experience.
The Stokke Tripp Trapp is designed with this in mind, featuring an adjustable footrest that provides the necessary support for your child’s feet as they grow. When children have proper foot support, they are less likely to feel restless or fidgety during mealtimes.
This stability not only helps them maintain good posture and prevent slouching but also allows them to focus better on their meal, promoting a more mindful and enjoyable eating experience. In the context of baby-led weaning, having proper foot support can also make it easier for your little one to reach and grasp their food, fostering independence and confidence in their eating abilities.
So, don’t underestimate the power of foot support – it’s a small detail that can have a significant impact on your child’s mealtime experience and overall development.
We Can Use the Chair With and Without Straps
The Stokke Tripp Trapp itself doesn’t come with straps that can be used to secure your child in the chair. This is easily fixed by grabbing the extra add-on called the Tripp Trapp Baby Set which comes with straps and a seat insert to make the chair more secure.
I was a little worried about the straps as they’re fabric… I thought they’d get dirty really easily and be hard to clean. They’ve got a sort of coating on them that makes the pretty easy to wipe down and food doesn’t tend to stain them. You can also take them off and chuck them in the washing machine as needed.
As my child has gotten older and more capable, I’m finding that I don’t need to use the straps as often. Which is good… as he is also getting more adventurous and MESSY! with his food.
For us, we’ve found that Bear now understands the concept of sitting down safely in his chair. When we’re not using the straps, we simply say, “on your bum,” and he knows to sit back down. This has been a fantastic way to teach him independence and autonomy while still ensuring he’s safe during mealtimes.
It Allows Us the Benefits of Sitting at the Same Table as a Family
One of the key aspects of baby-led weaning is allowing your child to explore different foods at their own pace and in their own way. Having Bear sit at the same table with us during mealtimes has not only made this process easier but also more enjoyable for the whole family.
When Bear is sitting at the table with us, he’s able to observe and learn from our eating habits. He watches how we use utensils, how we chew our food, and even how we enjoy our meals together. This has been an invaluable learning experience for him, and it’s been fascinating to see him pick up on these cues as he navigates his own eating journey.
Additionally, having Bear sit with us has made mealtimes feel more like a shared family experience. We’re able to talk, laugh, and enjoy our food together, which has fostered a sense of togetherness and connection. This has also helped Bear feel more comfortable and relaxed during mealtimes, which is essential for successful baby-led weaning.
Challenges with the Stokke Tripp Trapp – Review
While I absolutely adore the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, it’s worth mentioning a few challenges we’ve encountered. One issue we faced was that the tray’s texture doesn’t allow suction plates and bowls to stick properly. As many parents know, suction plates and bowls can be a lifesaver when it comes to preventing spills and messes during mealtimes. However, with the Stokke Tripp Trapp, we found that these items didn’t adhere as well as we’d hoped.
That being said, it’s essential to remember that using real crockery and cutlery is actually preferred for Montessori-aligned weaning. The idea is to encourage your child to develop the skills and confidence needed to handle real-life items from a young age. This approach fosters independence and a better understanding of how to use various utensils and dishware in a real-world setting.
Fortunately, the challenge with suction plates and bowls is easily resolved by removing the tray and having your child eat directly at the table. In doing so, you’re embracing the Montessori philosophy of allowing your little one to participate in a more authentic dining experience. It may be a bit messier at times, but the benefits of your child learning to handle real crockery and cutlery outweigh the temporary inconvenience.
I also found the straps really difficult to adjust, which was a pain when my son was small because he was growing so quickly. Now he’s 16 months old, the straps haven’t needed adjustment for several months, so this has become less of an issue. If you need to adjust the straps, just allow time and patience. Do it before you put your kid into the chair…once they’re in there…it’s really difficult to adjust them!
Choosing Between a Montessori Weaning Table and Chair vs. Tripp Trapp Highchair
In an ideal Montessori environment, the use of a weaning table and chair is the preferred approach to introducing your child to solid foods. This low table and child-sized chair setup allows your little one to sit comfortably and independently while they explore the world of solid foods. It fosters a sense of autonomy and self-reliance, as they learn to navigate mealtimes on their own.
However, I chose to opt for the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair instead, and I have a few practical reasons for doing so.
Firstly, space is a significant concern in our home, and we simply don’t have the room for a separate weaning table and chair. The Tripp Trapp offers a space-saving solution that still aligns with the Montessori principles, making it an excellent alternative for families with limited space.
Secondly, while Bear is still small, I feel more comfortable having the option to use straps when necessary. As much as we strive to follow Montessori principles, there are moments when I need to leave Bear briefly to attend to something in the kitchen or duck to the bathroom.
In these instances, the straps on the Tripp Trapp provide a safety measure that gives me peace of mind knowing that Bear is secure in his chair while I attend to other tasks.
As he gets older, the chair is designed in a way that he will be able to get in and out of it easily and safely. It’s super stable so the risk of it tipping over is minimal.
Although the Montessori weaning table and chair is the preferred approach, the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair offers a practical and versatile alternative that still supports the Montessori-aligned weaning journey.
In my opinion, it’s an excellent option for families with space constraints or for those who appreciate having additional safety features while still fostering independence and self-reliance in their little ones.
The Bottom Line
I hope this article has helped you in deciding if the Tripp Trapp is the right product for your family.
In my experience, the Montessori-aligned Stokke Tripp Trapp has helped us to provide a supportive environment that fosters independence, self-confidence, and healthy eating habits in our son.
By using the Tripp Trapp in conjunction with real utensils, sitting together at the table, and engaging in thoughtful conversations about food, we are helping to shape his future relationship with food and his body image in a positive way.
The Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair may not be a traditional Montessori weaning table and chair, but it offers a practical and adaptable alternative that still upholds the Montessori principles of independence and self-reliance.
For families with limited space or who appreciate additional safety features, I highly recommend the Tripp Trapp – it’s a fantastic choice that supports a successful baby-led weaning journey.
