Mockingbird High Chair Full Review by Actual Parents

Safety and Sturdiness: 10/10

The Mockingbird High Chair is built with safety in mind. It’s unique Y-shaped frame is made from sustainably sourced FSC-certified solid beechwood and allows for maximum sturdiness, while also maintaining a smaller footprint so I don’t stub my toe (24″D x 16.5″W). Also, the corners are rounded, so they don’t hurt to bump into.

The 5-point harness straps are made from FDA-approved food-grade silicone. They keep my child securely in place, and fit more like a harness, one that wraps around and clips into a single buckle between his legs. The tray and tray liner are made from non-toxic, BPA free plastic. In fact, Mockingbird submits all of their materials for testing of harmful substances (ie lead, phthalates, mercury, or cadmium).

The Mockingbird high chair also meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards, giving parents peace of mind. This includes the highest governmental regulations set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ASTM International. Additionally, their products are certified with the Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA).

Ease of Use: 9/10

The Mockingbird High Chair was easy to assemble, and we had it done in under ten minutes. It is also super easy to transform from a child seat to a baby seat and doesn’t require any additional tools. The baby footrest, which is also the child seat, has 4 adjustable positions and can be moved up or down for your child’s comfort.

Adjusting this child seat/baby footrest allows you to get closer to achieving the ergonomic 90° – 90° – 90° rule of thumb: 90 degree bent at hips, 90 degree bent at knees, 90 degree bent at ankles. However, the chair is a “one-size-fits all” and the back of the chair cannot be moved, unlike the Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair which has an adjustable backrest.

The Mockingbird high chair tray can be adjusted into one of 3 depth positions by being moved forward or backward, also helping to achieve the 90-90-90 ergonomic rule. The tray requires two hands to remove, by pushing in two buttons on the underside of the tray.

Far and away my favorite thing about the Mockingbird High Chair is how easy it is to clean! There are almost no nooks or crannies for food to get stuck in. The seat and silicone straps can easily be wiped clean — and even spaghetti — my son’s favorite — wipes up with no stains.

I love that the tray liner and silicone-coated straps are fully-removable and dishwasher-safe, so they can be thrown in for a quick clean. Plus, it was very convenient to be able to use the tray, because I hadn’t gotten around to cleaning the dirty tray liner. And I can’t say enough about the Mockingbird high chair straps! They are one-of-a-kind and don’t get food crammed into them like traditional woven straps.

Durability and Quality: 9/10

The Mockingbird High Chair is constructed with high-quality materials. The frame is sturdy and the legs of the high chair are made from sustainably sourced FSC-certified solid beechwood. The straps are made of FDA-approved food-grade silicone and the tray/tray liner are made from non-toxic, BPA free plastic that holds up well against spills and messes.

The tray’s surface is stain-resistant, smooth, and actually works with the suction bowls I use with my son. I especially love to use the Early Eaters Dishware Set, and he loves using and sucking on the spoon and dipper.

Comfort: 8/10

The Mockingbird high chair’s baby seat doesn’t include any padding or fabric, allowing for easier cleanup. Instead it is made from non-toxic, BPA free plastic, where you slip your child’s legs into the two holes. Luckily the leg holes are large, for chubbier babies, and are curved to be a little smoother. However, I did notice that the plastic underside of the seat rubs my son’s legs a little, probably because he can’t quite reach the footrest yet.

The adjustable baby footrest and child seat height (which are the same thing) also contribute to your child’s comfort during mealtimes. This is easy to adjust with a knob on both sides that you unscrew to move up or down.

The Mockingbird high chair’s five-point harness material is soft and bendy, while also being safe enough to be in my little one’s mouth. The harness can be adjusted in one spot on either side, and it all connects in the back with a single rubber connector. Because of this, it isn’t fully flush to the back of the seat, and this connector may leave an indent on your little one’s back.

Weight and Bulkiness: 9/10

While the Mockingbird High Chair is relatively easy to move around and has a footprint of 24″D x 16.5″W (61 x 42 cm), like similar competitors it is somewhat bulky and cannot be folded to be any smaller. This may be a concern for those with limited storage space. However, I haven’t personally needed to make it smaller to store it, because we use it all the time.

The Mockingbird high chair (without the infant seat) weighs 12.5 lbs. With the baby seat and tray the Mockingbird high chair weighs 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg), compared to the Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair’s weight of 21.42 lbs (9.7 kg) or the Abiie 3-in1 Convertible Wooden High Chair’s weight of 22.05 lbs (10 kg).

Flexibility: 9/10

The 2-in-1 configuration of the Mockingbird High Chair offers a long-lasting investment for your family while your little one is less than 150 lbs! You can start using the Mockingbird high chair with the baby seat as soon as your little one can sit up on their own, around 6 months, until they are 35 lbs, around 3 years old. To install the Mockingbird baby seat, you slide it in the slots until you hear it click.

After that, you want to remove the Mockingbird baby seat and transform it into a child chair. This is done by pushing in two tabs on each side of the baby seat and lifting up — no tools required. The Mockingbird child seat supports little ones from around 3 years old until they reach 150 lbs.

Also, you will want to adjust the baby footrest, which is also the child seat, to achieve the 90-90-90 degree ergonomic rule for their hips, knees, and ankles. To adjust the seat, you unscrew two knobs under the seat, move it into one of the four positions, and screw the knobs into place. Again, no tools required (thank goodness, because by now I probably would have lost them ;).

Design: 10/10

With its sleek, modern design, the Mockingbird High Chair is an attractive addition to any kitchen. Sadly, unlike some of its competitors, it doesn’t come in a range of stylish colors, but luckily the neutral look suits most people’s personal taste and decor.

I personally love the smooth curves of the Mockingbird High Chair instead of the sharp edges we see with some competitors. This makes it less harsh to the eyes, less painful when I run into it, and easier to clean, with rounded edges instead of sharp corners filled with crumbs.

Even the tray and tray liner have rounded edges, and the liner itself curves over the tray to mitigate additional food getting stuck. I love that the Mockingbird’s tray and tray liner are smooth and non-porous (aka stain-resistant) and that it works great with our suction dishes, especially the Early Eaters Dishware Set.

One additional feature, that I feel parents will love, is the strap holders on the back of the baby seat. The harness strap holders are super helpful when initially putting my son in or taking him out of the seat, and during cleaning. I didn’t realize how often I was digging under his diaper in his old high chair to find the straps in order to buckle him in. Or having him get tangled in them when taking him out.

Price: 9/10

The Mockingbird High Chair is priced very competitively for similar products, but higher than basic high chairs. Given its quality, versatility, and longevity, it represents a worthwhile investment for families. But if you want lower-priced options, we recommend checking out our article on the Best High Chairs.

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