The BubbleBum has been a favorite CSFTL carpool option since the first days of our existence. Our 2013 review put the older version of this portable, inflatable, backless booster through the paces. Since then, the belt guides have been redesigned so we thought now was a good time to take a look at this updated seat.
Though the laws in many states require a car seat or booster until children are 8 years old, the laws of physics work a little differently. Until your Big Kid can pass the Five Step Test, in many cases, the Right Seat for big kids and tweens is some type of booster.
Why? Because the lap/shoulder belt may not fit properly without a little help from a booster, even on kids between 8-12 years old.
Parents want to keep their kids safe, and as CPSTs it’s our job to help them do just that. Parents often ask us to point them to the safest seat on the market. There’s no simple answer to that question: the safest seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and that you use correctly every time. Age, height, and weight all matter when choosing a seat that fits your little. Research shows that children under age 2, no matter their size, should be in rear facing seats, and older children need boosters until they pass the 5 step test.
Our day at the Expo started with a visit to the Graco booth. Graco has added some really exciting new products lately — namely the 4Ever and the Milestone. We couldn’t wait to see what they had to show us!
Looking for a good booster seat that doesn’t take up much room and comes in a bag? Yup – a bag! The BubbleBum is a FMVSS 213 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) approved booster seat that is inflatable, and small enough to fit in a bag. It is made from durable materials; similar to that used to make life vests and other life saving products. It has even passed standards in its deflated state in case it were to be punctured in a crash. It’s easy to inflate and even self inflates to a certain extent when taken out of the bag.
