This is a product that wasn’t on my baby registry, because when thinking of bringing my baby home, I was not thinking of any phase beyond the newborn stage. If I could do it again, I would consider adding this Upseat to my registry.

The cute, sleepy newborn stage quickly turns into the strong, curious baby stage – and it is important to have a safe place to allow your baby to sit and observe the world around them. While it is most important to allow your baby to figure out their own body, without being restrained to a container, I understand that sometimes a “container” of sorts is necessary.

Pro: It is FUNCTIONAL

I highly recommend this Upseat, especially if you have more than one child. Sometimes you might just need to have your baby sit safely while you handle a skinned knee, or offer an upset toddler a hug and kiss. Excited toddlers or older children might not understand how delicate babies are, and rather than (accidentally) pushing them over when going in for a hug, the Upseat gives your baby a safe place to sit, while their siblings learn how to play. 

When it comes time to start introducing solids to your baby, if you don’t have room or don’t want to use a full blown high chair yet – this is perfect. This is when I started using the Upseat, and it worked great for us. I could put this on a chair, counter top, or an elevated surface (with complete supervision) to feed my baby more comfortably. It was also easy to put away when not in use.

Pro: It is PORTABLE

When we were done using the Upseat, it was easy to pick up and move out of the way. It doesn’t take up much room, and travels well if needed. The chair itself is very light, and doesn’t require any additional pieces (aside from tray and safety strap) to use. 

Not only does this chair travel well, like when going to visit friends or family, but it is easy to bring with you around the house. You can use it as a floor seat to allow your baby to sit up and play, and then bring it up to a chair and use it as a feeding chair when it’s meal time. Use it to keep your baby safe while you finish getting ready in the mornings, and then also sit together and have some breakfast!

Pro: It is EASY TO CLEAN

The Upseat is made of very soft but durable foam-like material, which makes cleaning it a breeze. You can easily wipe away any messes to keep the Upseat looking as good as new! The safety straps are also easy to remove, so you can be sure to clean all of the nooks and crannies. 

Pro: Developed by Experts

There is research and science to back up the design of the Upseat, so you can feel confident about your investment. Not all “containers” are good for babies natural development, some limit their range of motion, while others prop babies up in an unnatural position. If your baby spends too much time in a seat that limits their abilities, this could cause harm to their hips and joints. 

The Upseat was developed with expert physical therapists, and is designed so your baby can engage the proper muscles needed to sit upright, while also keeping their hips in a more natural position to encourage proper development.

Con: It is EXPENSIVE (over $100)

Yes, there are more affordable floor seat options on the market, for nearly half the price of the Upseat. However, you get what you pay for, and other floor seats are not backed by physical therapists or designed with your baby’s natural development in mind. The Upseat can be used for up to 2 years, so while it is an investment, it is something that can be used now and then reused for any future children. 

The Upseat runs for about $110, but you can look for sales online, even shop at BuyBuyBaby where there are often redeemable coupons for a certain percentage off of your purchase. While this can be expensive, look at it as more of an investment rather than a one time purchase.

Con: It is a ‘CONTAINER’

There is a lot of talk out there about the negatives of putting babies in “containers” – obviously not actual storage containers, but rather seats, jumpers, walkers, etc. anything that contains the baby and doesn’t allow for exploring. There is evidence and research to back up the claim that too much time in “containers” can limit your baby’s natural development.

If you think there are times where you may need to utilize a “container” to put the baby down while you get something done quickly, you should be confident about the choice you make. I agree that a baby should not spend all of their time strapped in somewhere, and they need to explore and learn about their body, but I do love the Upseat for those times when you just need to “contain” the baby. The pros certainly outweigh the cons with this, and I really do think this investment was worth it. 

If you are in the market for something like this, I encourage you to research the Upseat for yourself. When ready, you can purchase it HERE directly through their website, HERE through Buy Buy Baby, HERE through Amazon, or any other preferred retailer.