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Have you ever looked at your baby’s high chair and wondered, “Who in the world designed this thing?” In this episode I’m joined by Kirsti Vandraas, a physiotherapist and ergonomist who works closely with Peter Opsvik, designer of the Tripp Trapp and Nomi high chairs. 

Kirsti is taking us on a tour behind the design of Opsvik’s Tripp Trapp and Nomi high chairs, including how they promote freedom and fellowship at mealtimes from baby’s first bites. From the absence of a tray, to the inclusion of an adjustable footplate and why European versions of these chairs do not include straps, prepare yourself to learn more about your child’s chair design than you ever thought imaginable!

In this episode, Kirsti is also sharing high chair safety, including the difference between European and American standards. We chat about movement at mealtimes and how a few simple tweaks in your baby’s set up in the chair can help facilitate independent eating early on in feeding.

SUMMARY OF EPISODE

In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsti Vandraas of the Peter Opsvik company, a physiotherapist and ergonomist. Kirsti is speaking about Peter Opsvik’s iconic Tripp Trapp chair his more recent Nomi design and how they facilitate independence in children even from baby’s first bites. We’re covering:

• How American and European safety standards differ and how that results in different expectations about what a high chair is for and what role it plays in the family...particularly important is why Peter Opsvik designed the Tripp Trapp and the Nomi to NOT have a tray and instead come right up to the table for family meals.

• How straps can be encumbering and don’t promote freedom or function at meals. Kirsti uses her ergonomics background to explain the benefits of allowing children to climb in and out of their chairs, and she shares about her own grandchildren teaching her when they were ready to have the guard from the infant feeding chair removed.

• Why an adjustable footrest or footplate is essential for torso control and she shares great analogies about stable feet supporting a “victorious” posture...something we can implement even from baby’s first bites.

If you are researching the Nomi and would like to purchase it at a discounted rate, I have a special offer for BABY-LED WEANING MADE EASY podcast listeners. To get the details of this discounted offer please email me by clicking here and include NOMI in the subject line. I will respond by email with the discount link.

LINKS FROM EPISODE

• Peter Opsvik’s company page at opsvik.no - where you can learn about the Tripp Trapp and Nomi design, features and benefits as well as Peter’s other iconic design work

• Stokke has sold over 10 million Tripp Trapp chairs - this is an investment but certainly, one that grows with your child. Tripp Trapp on Amazon (this is an affiliate link).

• The Nomi is the next generation high chair Peter Opsvik designed and dedicated to his grandchildren. It is available in a number of colors with varying wood choices to suit your aesthetic and design preferences.

• CLICK here to email Katie for the discounted Nomi high chair offer details.

TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE

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