|
I'm off to buy a baby's car seat soon as the arrival date is closing quickly! I was wondering what peoples preference in seat was. I know some of the standard advice (eg. new, make sure it fits in your car etc.) but am still trying decide what else to look/pay for. One of the things I'm thinking of is getting one of the two way seats suitable from newborn up to about 3 years, rather than getting just a rear facing seat and buying another larger one later on. They seem to be a bit bulky but I was planning on keeping it in the car all the time. Thoughts?
|
|
The advantage of the smaller "infant carrier" type seat is that they clip into compatible pushchairs/prams and can be carried around: if the baby's sleeping in the car you probably don't want to wake it up when you arrive at your destination. On the other hand they recommend using them only for two hours at a stretch, with a twenty minute break between two hour stretches. The smaller ones last about a year, at which point you can buy a seat to take them right through to eleven (Hah! Fat chance of getting an eleven year-old into a child seat). It's quite difficult to make this decision if it's your first.
|
Yep It's the first, it's really quite difficult working out all the stuff you need to buy.
We've got a pram/pushchair and I wasn't going to get a car seat that clips in because of the laying flat thing. Also the pram can be front or rear facing which is a bonus.
I thought that a kid graduated onto a booster cushion at around 3/4 years old I guess having a seat that's still being used could be an issue of SWMBO decides to have another one
|
I thought that a kid graduated onto a booster cushion at around 3/4 years old I guess having a seat that's still being used could be an issue of SWMBO decides to have another one
I assumed that was the case too, but there are a few huge seats that include padding for when they are smaller. I have no idea what they are like in use. There's so much choice it's quite a problem, especially when you have no idea about things like how fast the kid will grow or indeed what you will actually need as opposed to what Mothercare tells you you need. The second will be easier (in this respect only I think), and there will be a second, you can count on it.
|
|
|
|
You don't like sleeping do you ?!? :)
As the proud father of a 1 year old I will let you know what we did.
We had one of those baby systems (mammas and pappas) where the base unit is fixed into the car and then the seat simply clips into place.
Pro.Baby can be left sleeping whilst transfering from car to pushchair, or from car to home. Can be used as a mobile sleeping facility whilst visiting friends and family.
Con.pushchair is very bulky meaning a large boot is required(only just went into a focus hatch boot).
Our little girl enjoyed her milk and grew quickly meaning that we could only use the system seat until she was 6 months old, so not being able to put her into a forward facing seat(not recomended until 9 months) we looked for a seat that could be used both ways around. Bought a Britax First class (£100 from Halfords special offer at the time) as this can be either forward or rear facing. In hindsight this would have been great from new born but for the pros of the system seat.
(Glass-Tech)
|
|
|
|
Hi,
A free, independent service that we used and was very useful when buying a baby seat was a test/fitting service run by Essex County council. At a similar stage to yourself, we took the car to them (fittings take place one morning every fortnight?) and we not only tried a number baby seats (they had a large stock of the current seats available, both infant and toddler) but they also gave some very good advice on usage.
Importantly, they showed us how to fit them properly as well as some of the common mistakes.
I was personally surprised that different makes of seat had varying levels of secure fitment.
They also had a list of shops (including a large specialist), who are trained to give advice and fit the things properly.
In the end we went for 2 seats, one backward facing infant carrier for the front passenger seat (no airbag on the old car). This allowed us to monitor the baby whilst driving and also to move the infant without waking them!
Then we went for a second, bigger front facing seat for the rear of car, which is permanently strapped in.
Good luck with the forthcoming event!
Regards
Vercin
|
Do a search online for different reviews. I did this a couple of years ago. I think that the Which site had a good section.
I was going to go with the Isofix system of attaching the seat to the car, but the reports stated that it wasn't as good as maybe it's portrayed. The thing that really surprised me is that one of the biggest suppliers of baby kit in the country had some of the worst baby seats.
I would definately recommend you do online research.
|
Yes the which? report is very interesting reading, fortunatly this came out just as we were looking for the new seat.
The advise given above about checking the fitting is also invaluable, the guy at Halford who looked after us was very knowlegable and went through the fitting of the seat with us into our car. Its suppising how many different fitting methods there are between the manufacturers.
|
Googling for "seat test results" returned:
www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/safety/childseats/child...l
Which in turn has a link to a UK league table:
www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/safety/childseats/child...l
Hope this helps,
Steve
|
|
|
|
Might I recommend a full-car valet before the event? Make sure you/they don't use powerful smelling air fresheners etc. ScotchGard-type protection on the seats also helps.
In addition, packing a 'baby kit' in the boot always helps - spare nappies, clothes for baby AND you, towel, old newspapers, plastic bags, blanket.
PLUS A box of Bicarb Of Soda to be used as a 'douse' for any spilled 'fluids' - saves the rest of the car's occupants from getting a nostril full of sick/poo etc... and saves the rest of the car from unwanted scents!
Also, get somebody to drive you about in the car, with you in back seat, making sure there are no draughts which you don't feel as a driver. [yep, you may have to take your jumper off for this, pal. Sorry!]
|
I'd recomend a full-car valet 5+ years after the event, personally!
And a set of clothes-pegs and ear defenders for the driver in the years between...
|
I was planning on getting some plastic sheeting to put around the chair so as to avoid the worst of the mess generation.....
The AA report makes interesting reading I wasn't aware there was some much debate over their safety. I seem to remeber from one of SWMBO's pregnancy magazines that there's another standard being used now as well so I shall have to look out for that particular BS number.
|
I was planning on getting some plastic sheeting to put around the chair so as to avoid the worst of the mess generation.....
Don't worry. It soon fills up with toys so that in no time there is no visible fabric!
Mind you don't put the plastic underneath the seat as that might make it slip.
|
|
|
|
|
Bread knife gave birth to an 8lb 11 bouncing boy, straight into Britax Rock-a-Tot,good value excellent reviews, whole thing goes in and out of the car so no problem waking them up etc, then at 9 months into Britax Freeway, forward facing, fully reclinable, washable covers, good harness, great reviews approx £90, still in it at 22 months and weighing in at 2 stone 4lb, will be in for a good while yet, has hardly left the car since it has been in.
|
You wanna be careful, the social services will be after you. (Sorry could not resist)
We are onto our 3rd car seat. We started off with a rearward facing one when our little 'un was a baby. This was one that would clip easily into the pushchair frame. Then when he was a bit bigger it was into the full car seat with the harness strap and head rests (Britax Renaissance - excellent). When he got to 3 or so we bought a booster seat which will last for years (apparently) as you can detach the back rest part and just use the base to lift him up to the correct height for the seat belt to fit properly. Our attitude was to get good advice and buy the best available. One thing we learned was to check the seat fitted the car. When our boy was born we were living in Istanbul and my wife had a little Fiat Tofas. The baby seat would not fit because the seat belt was too short. So, for the other seats we checked they would fit in the car. Also, do remember to check the size of the buggy for the newbie - will it fit in the boot. (buggy, not baby).
Moderator Mark posted some time ago about the relative benefits of LHS, RHS or Centre rear seat fitting for baby seats. Worth having a search for?
|
Oh where is the Edit button?? I was making a daft reference to Ellis' post when he said the seat had not been out of the car - it could be read as the baby had not been out. The quote from Ellis' post did not appear in mine. Whoops.
|
Mum of two here. Even if you have decided not to get a travel system pushchair that the car seat clips to, don't discount getting an easily removable seat (with a handle). Although it may only get used for 9 months, I'm sure it will be invaluable. You'll develop muscles you didn't know you had lugging it around, but they really are useful. Eg drive to Dr's for check up, park in car park, do you really want to get the pushchair out to go 5 metres to the door? They may not let pushchairs in anyway. Do you want to carry the baby in your arms and then not be able to do anything else? If the baby is in the car seat - you're sorted. Same goes for visiting friends etc.
I have a feeling that the cheaper ones can be as good as the more expensive ones. Which? have recently updated their report -you could see it at the library.
Look for a seat with easily removable covers (for washing) or one that comes with a spare cover. You can also get padded inserts for newborns - these are good as newborns are swamped in car seats.
Personally I always wanted my boys rear-facing in the front (airbag off).
I should also recommend www.ukparents.co.uk for its forums - loads of info there - and I've often recommended this site to them , so that just about evens it up.
|
So to sum it up then:
Make sure that the seat complies with all the latest saftey standards and fits the car properly.
A two way seat is good for longevity but isn't much good if you want to take the baby out in the seat.
I guess then that if seperate rear and forward facing seats come to about the same price as the two in one then they're probably the better option. If not then I think I'll probably get the 2 way and leave the seat in my car since I'll not be doing much in the way of quick trips in my car with baby. (But if we keep SHWBO's car on the road then we'll probably get a cheap rear facer for it)
Thanks for the response (but don't feel that you have to stop responding now):)
|
I can also reccomend those seats that come as a system with the push chair and clip into a base in the car. Saves a load of time and hassle which is something you will quickly appreciate!
When older theres a vast array of car seats but we have 3 and the best one has been a maxi-cosi. Very easy to transfer from car to car (the design is what costs!) and also very comfortable - she always sleeps in it!
|
|
|
|
|
We have an Isofix in our Honda, all I can say is that if your childs safety is the first priority then use an Isofix. I simply would not let my daughter travel in anything else unless absoulutely unavoidable. They are much easier to fit than standard ones but once in and FIRMLY pushed back onto the seat then nothing will move it. They only draw back at the moment is the limited number of cars that can cater for them
|
Lancia,
if you do a quick google of the web, you will see that Isofix isn't necessarily as safe as you may think it is.
|
I can't find the report that I discovered online 18 months ago, but basically there are two types of ISOFIX systems. Those with just two anchor points, and those with three. The safest ones are those with a top teather providing the 3rd anchor point. As far as I recall, the two anchor version can result in injury to the child caused to the top of the seat moving forward in an accident. My car, an 02 VW Passat, only has 2 anchor points, so I chose not to choose ISOFIX.
There is an American article here www.car-safety.org/latch.html about ISOFIX (which they call LATCH, who cares about international standards?)
|
Well I went shopping and came across something of a problem....... The only seat that fits my car was the rock-a-tot as it has another way of fixing it into my car (the lap part of the belt goes under the seat rather than over the top). None of the other seats would fit as the seat belts were too short. I couldn't even use one of the travel system type seats that clips into a base as the base has a bar that needs to be against the bottom of the footwell - and it wasn't long enough.
I was very suprised that only the one seat would fit (we tried a few) as I drive a Ford Focus - the most common car around!
|
Hi
Are you saying belts wouldn't reach in either of their positions?
Or the seats would not physically fit into any of the seats in the rear?
And/or the shopss with the seats didnt have a trained "fitter"?
regards
Vercin
|
oh and what does your handbook/dealer say? (when i had a question on fitting a seat to a Mondeo, the local dealers were very helpful).
Regards
Vercin
|
|
|
|
We have a ford focus and the mammas and pappas travel system fitted fine, no problem, fair enough it was getting close to the full extent of the belt but there was still some left.
(Glass-Tech)
|
Yes there was a trained fitter who brought out a selection of seats to try (we tried all the rear seats). The problem was that the belt was way too short to fit around the normal rear facing seats where the lap part of the belt goes over the top and the sholder part goes round the back. The rock-a-tot has another way of fitting where the lap pportion goes underneath the baby seat whilst the shoulder part still goes round the back requiring less belt so that one fitted, but it was the only one with this type of fitting.
Maybe it's because my Focus is the estate version. I understand that there's a 'special' Ford system with an appropriate price tag..... All the handbook says is not to use the passenger seat if it's got an airbag (which it has).
|
Hi,
We used the rock-a-tot to begin with as well.
Erm, I'm begining to run out of construtive ideas, save for asking the midwives or fellow attendees in the ante natal classes! As you say you are not the only person to own a Focus Estate.
If I think of some other way to increase your alternatives, I'll post again.
Good luck with the birth
Vercin
|
When we returned from Oz with an 18 month old, we phoned Britax with the make and model of our car and my parents car and they were able to tell us which car seats fitted which cars. Best bet is to call the individual manufacturers...not rely on variable quality sales staff.
This was quite an education as some car seats just didnt work in Citroens at all (parents car) and some only worked in the centre rear seat of the volvo (our car).
I preferred the system in Oz where by law all cars have a top anchor point as well as using the lap-sash belt as UK car seat do. (Oz car seat testing is way in front of the euro standards)
Once our Oz car seat arrived I used this for our daughter. I simply added the top restraint (it was there under the seat fabric since the same model is sold in oz) and returned the UK car seat to my parents for when they transport their grand-daughter.
But back to the main subject....2way or two car seats. Go for the dedicated rear facing then the dedicated forward facing every time.
Two reasons:
1)less design and safety compromise....although they all meet the BS specification there is still a big difference in the crash testing. Dedicated seats are often less bulky than reversible seats.
2) In many cases sprog number 2 comes along and since nature dictates that number 1 will be at least 9 months old and therefore in a front facing seat (having grown out of rearward facing seat) you then have number 2 in the rearward facing seat.
hth
Ian L.
|
Well I did buy the rear facing rock-a-tot seat, and was very happy with the quality of the fitting service. I'm just so suprised that all the other seats did not fit in such a common car I think it's about time we had some sort of standard for this!
Thanks for all the good advice, now I've just got to wait a few weeks for the happy event.
|
|
Just an aside; Halfords currently have a number of Britax seats available half price. Assume these are last year's colours.... like it matters.
|
|
|
Sorry for the long time in replying,
I can't find that report that you are referring to either ? The link that you stated shows a completely different design to my Britax model ? At the time I was looking at buying our seat I read various reports from various orgs that said they were a much safer seat than the 'standard' ones ? I shall now take your words in to account and use the belt aswell as the latches as a standard fit is an option with this seat should you need to use it in the ordinary manner that way I should have all bases covered .
Thanks
|
|
|
I can't find the report that I discovered online 18 months ago, but basically there are two types of ISOFIX systems. Those with just two anchor points, and those with three. The safest ones are those with a top teather providing the 3rd anchor point. As far as I recall, the two anchor version can result in injury to the child caused to the top of the seat moving forward in an accident. My car, an 02 VW Passat, only has 2 anchor points, so I chose not to choose ISOFIX. There is an American article here www.car-safety.org/latch.html about ISOFIX (which they call LATCH, who cares about international standards?)
I have an ISOFIX car seat and without doubt its more stable and safer than any other (seat belt) car seat I have ever used. The car seat is always rock solid and does not move about like seat belt anchored systems. Even with a two point anchoring system it much better than any seat belt anchoring system that I have seen or used.
|
|
|
|
|
