We have the cat version of this product. A big jolly-faced orange cat, with a lovely stripey, flower-shaped mat, a rattle, a squeaky mouse and a rattling robin. We bought it because it looked so cute and snug, and was advertised on its packaging as being suitable for newborns as a "cosy inflatable ring", and older babies as a "comfortable cusion support" (sic). On that basis we believed it would be good value for money at £35. But in fact I cannot recommend this product, and must point potential purchasers in the direction of the Galt Playnest which is far superior.

A brief description: An inflatable ring which comes divided into two inflatable pieces. A fabric cover for these, one half of which has the cat's head attached. The cat's head is padded like a cushion. Ties on the fabric covers enable the two halves to be tied together so that a ring is formed, or they can be positioned one on top of the other to form the 'cusion support' for older babies. The flower-shaped mat then attaches with Velcro patches in a choice of positions. The rattle, mouse and robin all stick to the mat as they have Velcro on their bottoms.

It's not just the fact that they have spelled 'cushion' wrong on the front of the box in large letters that makes this a perplexing product.

The main image on the box shows the 'sit me up cosy' in nest mode, with a happy newborn gurgling away, making herself a comfortable ass-groove as she reclines with head slightly raised and supported by the inflatable ring. It is the shallowness of this nest that stands out to me. The picture is misleading! For the nest to be this shallow, a cushion, that's right, cushion, must have been placed under the mat, or nest-lining. Not until you have purchased the product and read the instructions do you learn that "if required [you should] add a cushion underneath the play mat for extra support".

This, in itself, is no big deal, as most nests will require a little padding of this nature. However, the Galt nest is superior here since there is material covering the floor within the centre of the nest. Any cushion required would fit inside. Therefore when Baby is inside, possibly asleep, you can move the nest easily if required. I don't mean by lifting it up, just scooching it across the floor, if for instance Baby is in a draught. You cannot do this with the 'sit me up cosy' as the cushion stays put and Baby slumps further down, waking up with a jolt.

A second image on the front of the box shows the 'sit me up cosy' in one of the 'sit me up' modes for older babies. In this image the mat is flat on the floor, the cat sat over it, looking as if it is wrapping its arms around baby for a cuddle. It's called 'sit me up' so this image implies at a brief glance that the baby was being supported in sitting. Ha! Not so. Look again. This baby is sitting up for herself. Take the cat away and she will still be sat there- or more likely be crawling away to investigate other stuff. She is clearly about to make a break for it.

Perhaps you think I am being unkind. After all, a cushion behind a baby that has just learned to sit up is a good thing. But the image/name combo implies that if this baby fell back some support would be offered. In fact in this mode, the cat will simply be propelled backwards. The baby in the picture reaches the chin of the cat when sitting, Baby CrazyEgg is a little smaller. When she fell back and squirmed to right herself, her head was caught between the inflatable back-rest halves. Could be why she was so keen on repeatedly throwing herself backwards onto our pillow this morning: ensuring she has the strength to get out of tricky situations like this.

Turning the box round to its side there is a picture of a duck and the words "Doodle loves to,
-quack
-swim
-dance around.
Well that's nice for him. Does he feature on or in the 'sit me up cosy'? No. It's just a picture on the box. A talking point should you desire, but nothing else.

On the back of the box we have the same two photos as on the front but a different one has been enlarged. There is a third photo that shows the third way the 'sit me up cosy' can be set up, that is with the cat in the sitting up position and the mat Velcroed at his shoulders and tied on to his paws. All neat and tidy. In reality the positioning of the ties, which work when the product is in 'nest' mode, are badly positioned now. As you can see in the image, one is tied at the top, the other at the bottom. This leaves one top 'petal' (from the flower-shaped mat) and one bottom petal unsecured and they flap about, dragging the mat down so that constant readjustment is required.

One of the features listed on the back of the box is: "converts into a supportive prop to help older babies sit up". This is stretching the truth at best. You have to position the cat against something else, like a sofa, to stop it falling over. It is the supporting object that is providing support, and not this cat.

Finally, what of the 'sit me up cosy' as a nest to play in? Ie in nest mode, but without a cushion under the mat? HOPELESS!! The mat comes away from the inflatable ring and toys get lost under it. Baby falls out, or rolls out between the gap between mat and inflatable. This was a source of discontent whilst we used the product in this way, but we made do. It was only when our neighbour gave us the Galt play nest that we realised how inadequate it actually was.

The one saving grace is that this cat is extremely jolly. As long as we don't attempt to make use of him he is a most pleasing corner-ornament and general room companion.