Its slogan is “Designed for children.  Loved by parents.” and this stylish, practical high chair from Svan of Sweden delivers on the promise.  At about $260.00, the Svan high chair is an investment in your child’s comfort, and a lovely one.

FEATURES

4 out of 5 points

Made entirely of environmentally friendly bent birch, and available in five different finishes to match your décor, the Svan is designed to grow with your little one.  Featuring a three-point safety harness designed to secure your child at her chest and legs, this product is safety-certified for average-sized children up to three years of age.  To assure that messes aren’t permanent disasters, the 15 ¼ x 15 ¾ tray is protected by a removable, dishwasher-safe plastic cover, and the optional seat cushions, PBDE-free and available in nine colors, are machine washable.  Although it isn’t wheeled and doesn’t fold, the secure base has a small footprint at 18 x 19 inches, and the chair is small enough to toss in your trunk.

ASSEMBLY AND SET-UP

4 out of 5 points

Packed in a compact box, the Svan requires a provided Allen key for assembly and later adjustment.  (According to the manufacturer, the tool is a safety feature, intended to prevent unintentional and unsafe adjustment.)  The two-page instruction manual is clear, and assembly shouldn’t present a problem for moms and dads with a bit of experience assembling pre-fabricated furniture like bookshelves or IKEA products.

ADJUSTABILITY

5 out of 5 points

The Svan is a shining star of flexibility.  As soon as your baby can sit up by himself, at around six months, the Svan is ready to help your family have comfortable, kid-friendly mealtimes.  With the tray and plastic cover in place, the Svan functions a normal high chair, albeit an exceptionally attractive one.  As baby become toddler, the Svan’s seat adjusts for both height and depth, and the footrest adjusts as well, so your young diner can join you at the table with full torso support.  Remove the tray, and the safety bar and harness keeps tots safe.  As they grow, children appreciate the way this chair grows right along with them; through continual adjustment of the footrest and seat heights, the Svan transforms into a traditional, full-sized dining chair able to support adults up to 250 lbs.

EASE OF CLEANING

5 out of 5 points
With its dishwasher-safe tray cover and washable cushions, the Svan is designed to take all the creamed banana and mushy pea a baby can dish out.  The birch finish can be wiped with a damp cloth and polished with any wood cleaner. Because it’s real furniture, not disposable plastic junk, the Svan is scratch-resistant and durable, designed to last as long as your baby’s childhood and beyond.

LOOKS AND STYLE

5 out of 5 points
Svan is Swedish for swan, and this piece is named for it’s resemblance to those graceful birds.  The bent wood, in finishes from white to espresso, is complemented by optional cushions in nine colors, from baby pink to a adult black.  While it won’t fit well in very traditional décors, the Svan is a match for most contemporary kitchens; its base, a single, sturdy U, supports a diagonal center column, angled so that the chair can slide right up to a dining table of average height.  The footrest, seat, and tray are sleek and modern, sure to please discerning parents AND their children.