Totseat

For toddlers who lunch. "Washable, squashable" Totseats eliminate the need for a high chair at your favorite restaurant, friend's house or on vacation. Rachel Jones started Totseat in 2005 and, like many parentrepreneurs, her idea was born of frustration: As a new mother, I wanted to hang out where I used to go, rather than always being in baby friendly places. But there was never a clean highchair – if there was one at all!" Her first Totseat prototype was made from the lining of a wedding dress - since then, it's been tested over 900 times on a wide array of chairs.

Totseats are recommended for children who can sit unsupported, generally from 8 months to 2.5 years. They come with their own carrying bag, but you may want to just squash them into your diaper bag. The Totseat fits nearly all sitting chairs - slip it over the chair back, adjust the length depending on the size of the chair and the size of the child, and clip it in place. It also has an internal cumberbund which offers some back support and ensures it can be used on open-backed chairs. It's not expensive - $34.99 - and is available in the U.S. in three colorful fabrics here.

Comments (7)

This looks great and I love the idea of being able to eat at restaurants that aren't eqipped with highchairs or boosters. My only question is-won't the child still be too low for the table? Even my 5 year old has to kneel in a chair to not have the table come up to her chin-it's why booster seats 'boost'.

posted by pelicolina on August 6th 2007 at 12:38pm
view pelicolina's profile

Yes, they are too low. I made one about 4 years ago from a free pattern kicking around on the internet. I want to say it was the Martha Stewart website but I could be wrong. It's a good idea, but it does fall a bit short. ;) I ended up making a matching cushion for underneath it, that ties around the back of the chair. It raised my daughter up, but did make the entire thing a bit too large and clumsy to easily cart around to restaurants. So we left it permanantly attached to a chair at our house and did away with the clunky highchair that took up too much space. I used the same fabric that I had used to make our placemats, so it matched well.

posted by Speakaboo on August 7th 2007 at 2:19am
view Speakaboo's profile

I'm in the frame of mind that if a restaurant doesn't offer highchairs or boosters, it probably isn't the type of place I should bring my child.

posted by dollhouse on August 7th 2007 at 6:01am
view dollhouse's profile

I'm in the frame of mind that dollhouse needs to get out more. You keep going to Applebee's, sweetnooks, and I'll eat real food. Get a life. Your kids will love you for it when they're older.

posted by evertonpalmer on August 7th 2007 at 6:32am
view evertonpalmer's profile

I agree with dollhouse. There's no need to get hostile about it, evertonpalmer. There are many, many excellent food choices with highchairs/boosters that are not Applebee's. We've taken our 8 month old out once a week on average and never been to a chain restaurant.

posted by InWoodside on August 7th 2007 at 7:01am
view InWoodside's profile

Nah, eventonpalmer, I do get out. And when I get out without my kid, I like to go to places without being subjected to other people's. Just because we have children doesn't mean we have to do everything and go everywhere with them. Maybe you ought to have a few date nights--might put you in a better mood.

And where I live there are plenty of non-chain, kid-friendly places for when we do dine out as a family.

posted by dollhouse on August 7th 2007 at 7:14pm
view dollhouse's profile

There's always the Swedish version:
http://www.inthepocketbaby.se/sida.asp?avd_id=2&prod_id=1

posted by daisydo on August 8th 2007 at 4:42am
view daisydo's profile