Florence is far too grow up to sit in a high chair these days and most of the time flat-out refuses. I don’t blame her! She is small enough to fit in one because she’s so dinky but she’s too old really and feels like a baby. This does prove a bit of a problem when dining at tables though because she often can’t see over the top to eat! She’s not particularly short though, most of her friend’s can’t sit on a normal chair at a normal table comfortably, even the taller ones, so what to do when they reach this age? Well, cushions have been what we have been using at home but they’re not terribly safe on a chair with a little person perched on top and I always worry she’ll wriggle around and end up shooting off the chair and on to the floor! Then of course when dining out it’s even more difficult because what do you use to boost them up? Coats, jumpers? Not terribly ideal eh?!

We’ve been meaning to invest in a booster seat of some sorts for a while now. Most of the time it’s not a problem for us at home because we don’t get our dining table out much. We have one but it folds up and is such a hassle that Jonny and I eat on trays and the children sit on tiny chairs up to the coffee table. The thing we find difficult is when we are out in a cafe or restaurant or at our families homes so the booster seat for our needs has to be one which will travel. I have been looking at loads and even though most of them say they are easily transportable they are so big I don’t see how they could possibly be as handy as they suggest. Fine for in the home but we have that covered for a daily basis and would only need it when the big table comes out. What we need is something small, compact and easy to carry and store when not in use.

The one I’ve found and we’ve been testing recently is actually just perfect for our needs and I have found it to be very useful indeed. We were sent a Munchkin Travel Booster Seat to review and it’s really rather good. Firstly it’s compact and doesn’t take up much space being stored. Space is of a premium in our flat so that part was very important to us. Not as important as how well it worked obviously but if it wasn’t small we would have just had to choose something else that was because we simply don’t have the space. It also has a great carry handle and a zipped storage area which you can keep things like cups, cutlery and even a spare change of clothes. Half bag, half booster seat! Brilliant!

As you can see, the bag part of the seat will store nappies and a changing mat, spare clothes, bib and cutlery etc – handy!

Because the booster seat/bag is really compact I found it easy to transport. It fitted on both my buggy handlebar clip and under storage basket with no problems. Even hanging on the buggy clip from the buggy handle bars it wasn’t cumbersome. Florence very often goes on the buggy board so anything I hang off the clip needs to not get in her way; this didn’t at all. It’s also very light and barely noticeable from that point of view.

Neither storing under the buggy or hanging on my buggy clip was a problem and the seat fitted nicely for travel purposes! You can also use the shoulder strap to carry it on your shoulder like a bag of course!

Florence was very keen to try out her new seat and I think she really likes being high enough to join in the conversation now that she has had a go. The seat unfolds with velcro and was super easy to work out how to use without using instructions. Simply use one strap to clip behind the chair and one for underneath.

The seat is very easy to use and clips securely in two places!

Florence sitting in the seat and she’s really pleased to be at the right height!

Children can use the booster seat when they can sit up unaided so it’s a great little seat for Jimmy too. I think children like to be part of what everyone else is doing and even though I will use this seat primarily for Florence, it is something I can use for Jimmy too. The coffee shop near our house only has two high chairs but ALL the Mums in my area go in there so we often have to take it in turns to feed the children. I won’t have to wait now and also, I won’t have to clean up someone else’s dirty high chair before I use it! Bonus! (The booster seat wipes clean by the way!)

Jimmy sits in the chair secured by the three-point harness!

It’s worth noting that adult supervision is recommended at all times. Jimmy is very tiny and he started to kick away at the table making the chair rock backwards. If I hadn’t been supervising he could have tipped himself over. This isn’t a problem with the booster seat but just something which could happen with any seat on a normal chair. Chairs are not as sturdy as high chairs or designed for little people so it would always be worth making sure something like a wall is behind the chair or even better, an adult eye is on it!

I especially like the fact that the booster seat can be adjusted with the height of the baby. Jimmy is obviously smaller than Florence so a little bit more of a boost for him is good and this seat has legs with rubber feet which can come out. Turn it upside down and lift up the flaps to pull out the legs or simply use it without as we shall do for Florence in future. If using without the legs there are also rubber bits on the bottom of the seat to give it a little bit extra grip.

As you can see, the extending feet and the bottom of the seat have rubber ends to help it stay in place!

All in all we think the booster seat is great! It’s easy to store, transport and use for both of my children so it get’s the thumbs up from us. They recommend the seat is used until a child is 3 years or 15kg. Florence is well under that weight so even though she’s at the upper age limit I think we can use this for her for some time yet. Obviously Jimmy can sit unaided so it’s great for him too, perfect then when looking at value for money as it will last a long time!

Florence and a pal who has the same seat enjoy lunch time together!

And as a foursome with their baby siblings they gave the little ones a go! Great seat!

I was not paid to write this post but was sent a Munchkin Travel Booster Seat for the purpose of review.

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