If you’re wondering how to fold high chairs, then you’re not alone. Each brand seems to have its own secrets when it comes to stowing them away for storage, and sometimes, it can feel like you’re up against some kind of Chinese puzzle.
Trying to figure out which parts to push and which sections to pull in order to operate hidden mechanisms that will eventually make the highchair collapse can have you pulling your hair out. All that to fit the highchair back into the kitchen cupboard from where it came.
Luckily, we’re here to help! We looked at how two highchairs fold away. One that requires two-handed operation and another that requires just one to make your life (just a little bit) easier.
Before storing your highchair away, there are a few things you should do to ensure that your highchair remains in good condition. Hopefully, by looking after it, it will be the only highchair you need to buy for your baby. It may even last long enough to cater for two or three more babies who may come after your baby.
The first thing you’ll need to do is remove your baby from the highchair. Obvious? Sure. But that really is where you start, so we had to mention it right?
Some trays are designed to fold away with the tray attached, so of course, you should check the instructions first. Many highchairs on the market require the tray to be detached for storage.
Most trays are detached by pressing and holding down two buttons on either side of the highchair, near to where the tray is secured into place. You need to push both buttons in at the same time, and then you may have to give the tray a wiggle until it slides forward and comes free.
Even if it doesn’t look like it needs it, you should wipe down the highchair with a damp cloth after every use. If the manufacturer doesn’t specify that the tray is dishwasher-safe and that the covers are machine washable, then they probably aren’t. Use warm, soapy water to give the chair a good wash down every so often to remove invisible sticky prints, and wipe dry to stop mold from growing before it starts.
Different brands of highchairs may have slightly different placed mechanisms, and some of them fold in different places. However, once you’ve mastered a few different highchairs, you’ll find it easier to work out how the others fold away by looking at where the hinges are located. Below we have a step-by-step guide on how to fold away a Cosco highchair, which is a popular brand of highchair that is folded and unfolded with two hands.
If you struggle with folding away your highchair, then you may be better off looking for a model that collapses with just one hand. You’ll find that many brands offer highchairs these days with one-handed operation, with Graco and Nook being two such brands.
Recognizing that you often have your baby in one arm, Graco has designed a highchair that requires just one hand to assemble and collapse it completely. As such, you don’t have to put your baby down while doing so.
How to fold high chairs will always differ slightly from chair to chair, but once you understand the principles of how and where they are likely to fold, though the latches may be located in slightly different places, you should be able to work them all out pretty easily.
If you do still struggle, then look for a chair that folds with one hand and just one handle like the Graco or Nook highchairs. Another great tip is to look out for highchairs that have one-handed tray operation. The luxury of being able to swing the tray out with just one hand so that you can get your baby into the chair is great, especially if your baby is already crying for food.