Friday 30 January 2015

BubbleBum Booster Seat - a review

Just when I think entrepreneurial mum stories have been done to death - along comes another which simply has to be shared. For Northern Irish mum, Grainne Kelly, has invented a travel solution that will no doubt make LIFE AS IT IS easier for parents everywhere.  

BubbleBum is the world's first inflatable and deflatable, portable and packable car booster seat for kids. And surely the answer to simplifying all sorts of deep seated transportation issues? Such as carpooling, holidays, rental cars and taxis...




DETAILS:
BubbleBum
Group 2 & 3 inflatable booster seat that fits with standard 3-point seatbelt
Appropriate for children: aged 4-11years and weighing 15-36 kgs
Priced: £29.99
Available at: Halfords, John Lewis, Tesco, Boots, Argos and Heatons
And online at: Kiddicare and Amazon

AND SO THE STORY GOES:
Grainne was travelling back and forth to the mainland UK to visit an ill relative with her two children, and the car booster seats she had pre-booked with car rental companies, were not available to her when she arrived at the car rental desk. Fed up with the situation, Grainne set about inventing her own solution to what appears to be a common problem - it's happened to me on trips to Greece and Spain. Grainne's solution was clever. So clever it's won awards. An inflatable solution that would not only transport her children safely, but weighing only half a kilo, would also fold down and be transportable itself. Talking of which, it easily fits in hand luggage, a glove compartment or school bag.


LIFE AS IT IS LOVES:
Take it out of it's smart packaging and you will find a well made product of ultra cool design. It functions with an air chamber cushion padded with memory foam for both stability and comfort. It has a wipe clean removable polyester cover.

It inflates in seconds with a few puffs of air and packs back down just as quickly. When inflated it is 33cm wide, and the narrow design means you could fit three BubbleBum booster seats along the backseat of a car - who says you need buy a bigger car with three children?

It comes with a convenient carry bag and a shoulder belt positioning clip - for that little extra bit of safety. But don't worry, this is a safe product. It is approved under the United Nations ECE Regulation R44/04 for safety for both Groups 2 and 3, for use with a standard 3 point adult seat belt.

Not only was I impressed with the BubbleBum booster seat, and the convenience it offers in so many situations - especially with car rentals - Esme also liked it. Particularly it's name, for of course at six years of age, anything with the word 'bum' in its title is going to be an instant hit. 





It is so easy to fit and simple to use. It has not lost any air over the course of a week, and it has been comfortable for Esme to sit on. 

KEEP IN MIND:
You cannot use this in a passenger seat equipped with an airbag. 

LIFE AS IT IS BLOG - THE VERDICT
The best ideas are those that stem from problem solving. And BubbleBum is a genius solution, making car travel for children safe, reliable and convenient - wherever you may find yourselves. As both a writer of parenting and travel features, and one that has reviewed car seats galore over the years, it is so refreshing to find an innovative item that is not only easy to use and good value, but also inspiring and intelligent.

Life As It Is/Emma Oliver, received a BubbleBum Booster seat 
in exchange for this review. 
For DISCLOSURE & DISCLAIMER, 
please view my page on LEGAL STUFF





2 comments:

Mummy Tries said...

What a fab idea! Although we're a non driving family we have to have car seats for lifts and taxis, think I might invest in this when my toddler is old enough. Great review Emma :-)

Writing Life As It Is said...

Isn't it though Renee. I love the innovation behind the BubbleBum. Thanks for commenting. x