I’m lucky. Really, I am. When registering for my baby shower I didn’t have a clue what to look for in a highchair. I didn’t expect to receive a highchair at my shower, but it was suggested that I register for one all the same. Therefore, I selected the least expensive model that Babies R Us stocked and I went on my merry way. Well, as you can quite image someone did fulfill the registry item and I received the NeatSeat™ Highchair 3650 on that special day. Unbeknownst to me, Babies R Us were phasing out this model for the NEW and improved model with casters. As a result, my friend received a considerable discount when purchasing this piece of equipment, and I received a decent highchair.
As a side note:
Just a bit of unsolicited advice to the first time parent. Wait to purchase the more expensive baby items until you need them. Most manufactures offer a limited warranty on repair and replacement parts, which is generally 1-year from the purchase date. I discovered this when ordering some parts for the highchair only 7-months after its initial use. Since I received the chair 6-weeks before my son’s birth, and I didn’t begin to use it until he was able to hold his head up (5-month old), the chair was already 7-months old. 7-months later, I needed to replace the waist belt and the warranty expired.
This wasn’t a huge inconvenience, or a big expense. It was more of an annoyance than anything. The customer service representative at Graco was very gracious. They charged me for the belt ($5.00 plus a $6.00 shipping fee); yet, when inquiring about an additional seat pad they shipped it at no charge to me. I didn’t need a new pad at the time, but was concerned about the feasibility of ordering one in a year, or two when the model might discontinue. I haven’t needed any additional parts since then, but I’m thankful I had the foresight to ask about the seat pad. I needed a new one after 20-months of baby abuse.
Description:
The NeatSeat™ Highchair 3650 is intended to grow with your baby over time. It offers several recline positions to accommodate infants up to 37-pound toddlers. A large roomy seat provides comfort, while the waist belt restraint and permanently attached T-bar secure child with, or without tray. There are 5 height positions so one can adjust to any table for convenient feeding. Plus, the tray is removable for toddler feeding as a youth seat. The highchair is designed with both sexes in mind, there are a multitude of patterns from which to choose. Following is a list of features that are included with this model.
● Lightweight ~ 15 pounds
● Adjustable seat height – 5 positions
● Adjustable seat recline – 3 positions
● Adjustable tray – 3 positions
● Removable, wrap around tray
● One-hand front release tray
● Two-hand side release
● Easy Server™ compartments tray
● Wipe-able vinyl seat pad
● Removable seat pad
● Wide base for stability
● Waist belt restraint
● T-bar restraint
● Plastic and steel frame
● Footrest
● Rear accessory bar for bib, or towel
● Maximum recommendation: 3-years, or 37 pounds
Additional options:
One of two toys for either side of the tray
Favorite Feature:
The wrap around contoured tray with one-hand release was by far my most favorite feature on the chair. The tray is LARGE, and will easily accommodate toddler feedings. It incorporates 2 compartments, one for snacks, and one for cups. In my household, the snack well was used for discarded food, while the cup holder was particularly helpful when transitioning from sippy cups to big boy cups. The tray offers both two-hand side release, and one-hand front release. I used the one-hand front release, almost exclusively as it was so simple and convenient. In addition, the tray includes 3-adjustable positions for growing children. For me, this was just another security feature to keep child “IN” the chair. Once the tray was snapped into place, my son was not able to fiddle with the waist belt because it's a very secure fit.
Least Favorite Features:
A footrest is rather an innocuous feature, however, an adjustable footrest would greatly improve this chair. The footrest was either too low for my pre-toddler, or too high for my tall toddler. In our case, it was suitable for maybe 5 or 6 months.
Assembly:
A screwdriver is the only tool required to assemble the NeatSeat™ Highchair. Assembly is fairly easy. It took me about 15-minutes to complete. There are 8 steps altogether, and the owner’s manual is clear-cut and comprehensive.
Closing Remarks:
The NeatSeat™ Highchair 3650 is lightweight because it's primarily made of plastic, yet it's extremely stable and durable. I’m actually relieved this model didn’t provide casters, as it might have been hazardous on my horrid Italian tile. I never experienced any tipping, or security concerns. Nor was I uneasy with a waist belt as opposed to a 5-point harness. The T-bar didn’t allow for standing, or escaping, and the proximity of the tray also served as a safety feature. Although once transitioned as a youth seat William did figure out how to remove the waist belt. I was somewhat neutral about the vinyl seat pad, as I said; I didn’t have a clue what to look for in a highchair. As it turns out, the seat pad was suitable, it didn't stain, and wipe downs were trouble-free with a sponge. Removing and reassembling the pad was a bit of a puzzle, but usually a once a month affair. Raising and lower the chair is also a bit tricky, but I'd rather Graco error on the side of caution in this respect. The accessory bar provided a handy bib holder, which was well situated on the back.
Overall, I am very pleased with this highchair. After nearly 3-years of use, it’s held up well. Now that I know what to look for in a highchair, I would certainly consider this value packed edition to the ridiculously overprice models available today.
As far as comparison-shopping goes, keep in mind the NeatSeat™ Highchair 3650 does not include the following:
● There are no casters on this particular model
● Does not fold for storage
● Footrest is not adjustable
● Does not convert into a booster seat
Graco Children’s Products Inc.
Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 100, Main Street, Elverson, PA 19520
Telephone: 1-800-345-4109
In Canada 1-800-667-8184
www.gracobaby.com/
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