I used to judge the parents who weren't totally prepared for their baby's arrival. The ones who somehow didn't have it all together, with every accessory and piece of furniture assembled and ready before their baby showed up [1]. Then I had a baby and I understood. And then I had another and I understood even more clearly how unprepared we all are when it comes to having the right products that our babies will actually love. Because as much as I thought I was prepared when it came to my own baby's car seat, bottles, and especially high chair, I was sadly mistaken.
It took trying out the Oribel Cocoon High Chair [2] ($215) for me to understand how wrong I was about the uncomfortable seats I had forced my growing little one into. And, just maybe, if I had used the Oribel Cocoon from the start, feeding times with an almost 1-year-old would have been a little less stressful. (Less messy? Probably not.) But feeding times had become a chore, and the Oribel Cocoon basically changed my life. Dramatic, I know, but come on. As a mom of two who also works full-time, it's the little things that matter most.
One thing about the Oribel Cocoon that truly sets it apart from other high chairs (most of which I went through as my baby grew from a newborn who slept and ate in my arms to a baby who wanted some independence) is its recline options. I started with a Bumbo seat on the floor, then transitioned to a compact and superconvenient high chair, which wasn't that helpful to me. The problem with the high chair was that it kept my baby at a slight-but-obvious angle that meant I needed to readjust her position every few minutes during every single meal. Sounds fun, right? After dropping money on other products that didn't work, I finally went all out for the Oribel Cocoon, and I've never looked back.
It offers three different recline positions that make adjusting it as you go so much easier. The first position is almost flat, so your younger baby can lay in the high chair and use a bottle. Or, as I have done, use it as a safe, hands-free place to nap with you close by. It also offers two other recline positions to use as your baby grows: a titled position for older babies, and a full upright seat for toddlers.
I am all for enjoying time with my baby as long as she'll allow me to hold and snuggle her. And with an older kid in the house, I know all too well how the snuggles suddenly dry up and how fast the time goes. But feeding a baby in your lap also doesn't last forever. There comes a time when you can no longer hold your baby while they drink from a bottle or start to transition to purees. The Oribel Cocoon offers a safe and comfortable place to allow them to get used to another eating space even before the transition. By the time they are ready to sit up, they will already be well-acquainted with this high chair.
Another feature that makes the Oribel Cocoon easier to use is its six height adjustments. Once again, this makes feeding your baby as he or she grows simpler. The lower height can make it easier for you to feed your baby while you are in the living room, sitting comfortably on the floor tending to your other kids. And, depending on the height of your kitchen or dining table, you can later adjust the high chair so your baby is at the right level to enjoy meals with the family.
Everyone wants a compact high chair, because there is something so comforting about being able to fold up a sometimes overly colourful baby accessory that doesn't quite match your home decor and shove it out of sight when it's not in use. While the Oribel Cocoon doesn't fold up to a compact size, the legs do fold in so you can store it. And while some high chairs might come in big block colours, patterns, or prints with cartoon characters, the sleek design of the Oribel Cocoon makes it a more modern approach to what a high chair should look like. You can also detach the tray and place it on the magnetic legs for easy storage.
If you're looking for a light and compact high chair, this isn't it. The Oribel Cocoon is a decent size and it doesn't travel well. It does, however, offer years of use, as it has plenty of adjustments to use as your baby grows. And because it's not an eyesore, you don't necessarily have to worry about shoving it into a closet between meals.
Feeding your baby shouldn't be stressful. Does that mean it never is? Of course not. Will the Oribel Cocoon High Chair magically make all of those troubles disappear? Please. But it makes the entire experience less stressful for babies who need a comfortable and safe place for bottle feedings or to start eating real food. And it's convenient and practical for parents who would rather not spend money on a piece of furniture that's too gaudy to keep out. Plus, it gives me a reason to humble brag when guests see it chilling in the corner of my dining room — which it totally matches, by the way.