Car Seat Mega Thread! Please post all your car seat questions here!

robinph

Have a CMax which dosen't have ISOfix, but then again it does. Really daft that the metal work is there, but they upholstered over the top of it depending on if the first owner asked for the ISOfix option or not. Means that it does only require a bit of messing about with a knife to fix it though.

However, because the floor on the back seat has the hidden panel is it still then not ISOfix compliant because you need a solid floor for it, or the leg on the base units won't be long enough to reach the real floor. Stupid design by Ford in a "family" car.

So I went for a seat that would work with just the seatbelt so it can be used in both cars, and after fitting the base unit in her car that actually requires the front passenger seat to be put all the way forward meaning that nobody can then sit in that seat if the car seat is fitted behind. More daft design by Mercedes in another "family" car.

Moonbeam

The Joie rear facing car seat which seems popular despite the WHich review was 159 in Smyths last week.It is extended rear facing.
The Britax 2 way elite is worth a look.

Fagashlil

CaoilfhionnM wrote: »

They both appear to hold up to 18kg and up to until the child is 4 years old.

I wonder is there anywhere in Ireland you can purchase the Swedish style rear facing car seat? Or does it have to be ordered online?

I was reading an article which says it is better to stay rear facing until the age of four OR LONGER and most Swedish style rearward seats hold up to 25 kg. Maybe that would be a good option to go with. I cannot post this article as I'm a new user however I'm sure you could find it by typing in the title "What’s so special about Swedish car seats?"

We've ordered the be safe combo as our second stage car seat, can be used up to 18kg RF and 25KG FF. reason it only goes to 18KG RF we were told is that car manufacturers won't stand over isofix past 18kg.

mirrorwall14

It's mad isn't it? You'd think that bolts to the car chassis would be safer than seatbelts but apparently not!

I guess it makes my life easier in some ways since I don't have isofix anyways.

Edit: And that does look like a fab car seat but it's just too expensive when you need two of them. The pair would actually be worth as much as my car rofl

Suucee

Millem wrote:

Succee how is it installed when it's rearward facing....is it just a seatbelt? Or are there tether straps? Does it feel secure?

Sorry only seeing this now. Its seat belt. Yep i feel they are nice and secure.

bored_newbie

Has anyone bought a Bebe Confort car seat? They are part of the same company as Maxi Cosi.

I've ordered the Bebe Confort Pebble car seat. I presumed this was the exact same seat as the Maxi Cosi Pebble but I've noticed that on the Maxi Cosi site, they say the compatible bases are the FamilyFix and the Easy base 2. However on the Bebe Confort site, they only list the FamilyFix base.

I have an Easy Base 2 ordered so I am concerned that it won't fit. Has anyone any ideas?

Tigger1

Hi all, we need to upgrade our seats. We have 3 children aged 3, 4 and 6. The three year old will be moving into her sisters evolva and I have to find 2 high back booster seats.

Is there a seat that can be used with a harness for over 20kgs?

My main problem is the the current high back booster I have ( was using with harness until now) is that the head support blocks the seatbelt from retracting and I don't trust my 4 our 6 year old to sit back all the time.

Is there anyone out there that has 3 seats in a grand scenic that work properly with just the belts?

jlm29

I'm sure this has been asked before, but this is a big thread, and I can't find it! My 3.5 yr old (who is very tall for his age, but I'm not sure what he weighs), is currently in a maxi cosi priori xp. I'm looking into boosters at the moment- he still fits in the group one seat, but he's able to open the straps, and hates it because "it's for babies", so I'm not sure how much longer he'll stay in it.
I changed my car recently, and my new car has isofix. It hadn't really crossed my mind, I was just going to buy a britax adventure or similar, but I suppose when I have isofix, we may as well use it! What's the best value group 2-3 isofix seat? From what I can see, it's the britax kid fix. Does anyone have a better suggestion?

lazygal

All in all wrote: »

http://www.boots.ie/en/Hauck-Vario-Guard-Car-Seat-Black-Grey_1291808/

I recently purchased this seat - was about the cheapest extended rear facing seat that I could find, boots had an additional 10% off then for their baby event. No complaints with the seat so far.

I found this was rated as a don't buy by Which. Here's the information on why:
We have had to rate this Hauck as a Don't Buy with a score of 0% due to its poor performance in our frontal crash tests when used in Group 1 format, forward-facing, with the base attached to the car by the seat belt.
Our lab experts also discovered that the harness could not be secured tightly enough on our newborn test dummy unless the seat minimiser is used. On the models we tested no seat minimiser was included. Hauck has confirmed there was a batch issue where some seats were sent out without this included, but all seats should have one included.
For a safety issue like this, where there is a risk a wriggly newborn could free themselves from the shoulder straps of the harness, we limit the total score as follows:
Group 0+ belted base - 35%
Group 0+/1 Isofix base, rearward-facing 42%.
Our Don't Buy threshold is 40% or below.
Hauck says this issue has been rectified, and all seats now have the seat minimiser, but if yours arrives without it please contact Hauck for a free replacement. Do not use the seat with a newborn without this in place.
The Hauck Varioguard performs much better when the base is installed using Isofix -in Group 1 mode it scores 73%, but as we assume you will want to use the seat in all modes possible, and we cannot know what type of crash you may be involved in, a good score in one area cannot compensate for a poor performance in the frontal-crash tests.




You have to be a member of Which to check all the reviews, but its well worth doing. I'm currently researching options for a carseat for when my older child is travelling with a grandparent.

angeldelight

As the poster was planning on using the seat as rearward facing the Which review is pretty meaningless except to point out that there should be a newborn minimiser. Which never seats for ERF so aren't the best source in this particular instance

neacy69

what the best rated rear facing seat for a 15 month old?

Moonbeam

I usually look for seats that have passed the swedish plus test.
My 14 month old is in The besafe izi combi which my 2 and 4 year old also fit in.

I also look at Which.

Kate Moss

Hi. I have just bought a Joie Stages. But I am confused about the newborn insert. The back support is padded but the head support is not, so the back rest juts out and the head bit is set further back. The top of the back rest padding reaches midway up my little girls back meaning she is well supported up to there then there isn't anything directly behind her upper back head or neck. Is this how it's meant to be??

neacy69

Where could i see the list of which recommended seats?

Nead21

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question....we have 2 children and thinking about having a third (hopefully). My eldest son is currently in a Britax Dualfix and my youngest son will be moved into one of these when hes ready. When my oldest son moves to a booster or next stage seat and if we have a third child, we will have 2 Dualfix (ERF) and a seat in the middle of the back seats. So my question is how will my eldest son get into his seat in the middle if there is 2 bulking car seats in the way?

El Guapo!

First time in this forum (first time dad) so hopefully I'm asking in the right place...

Can anybody tell me where I could pick up an isofix base for the baby elegance beep twist travel system?
We bought the whole package a few months ago but they had no bases in stock. Our baby was born last week and I just don't feel like it's safe enough with the seatbelt.
Baby Elegance still don't have them in stock. They have them on back order but loads of people apparently have their names down for them so it's a long waiting list for them. Smyths toy store is the same story. I'd really like to get one asap and everywhere is saying they have no date for the next delivery. It could be 4-6 weeks according to them.
Thanks in advance.

Millem

El Guapo! wrote: »

First time in this forum (first time dad) so hopefully I'm asking in the right place...

Can anybody tell me where I could pick up an isofix base for the baby elegance beep twist travel system?
We bought the whole package a few months ago but they had no bases in stock. Our baby was born last week and I just don't feel like it's safe enough with the seatbelt.
Baby Elegance still don't have them in stock. They have them on back order but loads of people apparently have their names down for them so it's a long waiting list for them. Smyths toy store is the same story. I'd really like to get one asap and everywhere is saying they have no date for the next delivery. It could be 4-6 weeks according to them.
Thanks in advance.

Oh no! Did you try Tralee nursery?

El Guapo!

Millem wrote: »

Oh no! Did you try Tralee nursery?

I'm based in Dublin but I did check them on your recommendation and they don't seem to do them. They're like gold dust!

Millem

El Guapo! wrote: »

I'm based in Dublin but I did check them on your recommendation and they don't seem to do them. They're like gold dust!

Ring them just in case
Have you considered adverts?

Sligo1

El Guapo! wrote: »

I'm based in Dublin but I did check them on your recommendation and they don't seem to do them. They're like gold dust!

Is this the base you are looking for? Free delivery when you order over €50.

https://www.babyaccessories.ie/p/baby_elegance_beep_plus_isofix_car_seat_base

Sorry just see they are out of stock with 4 week wait .

jlm29

Millem wrote: »

Ring them just in case
Have you considered adverts?

There's a couple of ppl on done deal selling full travel systems... Maybe they would sell you just the base alone? Worth a try!!

deecee1

El Guapo

Boots.ie have them in stock, usually if you order before midday you can collect from the store the next day.

Ilove2talk

Hi Ladies

I need your help please? I was reading an article about "child car seats" I am just wondering what is the brand that you would recommend and which store is the best to provide guidance.

I am new to this so any help or suggestions would be welcomed

First time mammy

dori_dormer

What age group are you looking at?

Tony kealys are pretty good although they tend to push isofix as its easier for them to install. It's now law to keep kids rear facing til at least 15 months, and recommended to keep rear facing til 4 yrs. it's also 5 times safer than forward facing.

Beyond the infant seats that go to 13kg, there's rear facing that goes to 18kg, 3/4yrs( tethers/belts or isofix) and 25kg 5/6yrs (only belt/tethers)

You can also email Simon in In car safety in Belfast. He is very knowledgeable on rear facing seats and will be able to tell you what will fit in your car and your budget

Or hakan from carseats.se (I think) is also great.

There's also already a few threads on here you could search for and read.

Neyite

Mod:
Threads merged.

Ilove2talk

Thats Great, Thanks a Million,
I have such much to do and It's exciting...
I want to ensure that I make the right choice in purchasing baby equipment.
I am going to Google what you have given me know and see from there.

I had a look at Mothercare's website, there is so much to consider

I see that there is buggies with the car seats also,
I may start writing a list of what I need, The baby has not arrived yet but from chatting one of my friends she told me that I should have it ready for bringing the baby home from the hospital.

laser card = maxed out, again I am finished buying, but it will be worth it.

Anyone with suggestions for around the midlands area?

Millem

Ilove2talk wrote: »

Thats Great, Thanks a Million,
I have such much to do and It's exciting...
I want to ensure that I make the right choice in purchasing baby equipment.
I am going to Google what you have given me know and see from there.

I had a look at Mothercare's website, there is so much to consider

I see that there is buggies with the car seats also,
I may start writing a list of what I need, The baby has not arrived yet but from chatting one of my friends she told me that I should have it ready for bringing the baby home from the hospital.

laser card = maxed out, again I am finished buying, but it will be worth it.

Anyone with suggestions for around the midlands area?

Have you decided on your travel system/pram/buggy? I got a 0-13kg car seat in my bugaboo package but in hindsight I should of asked to put a few €€ extra and get a 0-18kg one! A 0-18kg one will stay in your car and can't attach to your buggy whereas depending on your pram/buggy you could put a 0-13kg one on the chassis. I have since sold my 0-13kg one and bought a 0-18kg erf seat which I will hopefully use for baby number 2
Congrats

dori_dormer

Most hospitals insist on you leaving the hospital with your baby ina. Car seat. Even if you are walking home or something. It's a bit ridiculous!

I prefer the 5 point harnesses. The safest car seat your child will ever be in is the infant ones that go 0-13 kg. it has the most secure and safest shell. You'll want to keep her in it til she maxes the height or weight limit. My boy hit that at 11 months, but some people get nearly 2 yrs!

I got the besafe one. It came with my travel system package too

It's also not recommended to buy second hand as you have no idea if the seat has been in a crash of any kind. I'd only trust a sibling in that regard.

Millem

dori_dormer wrote: »

Most hospitals insist on you leaving the hospital with your baby ina. Car seat. Even if you are walking home or something. It's a bit ridiculous!

I prefer the 5 point harnesses. The safest car seat your child will ever be in is the infant ones that go 0-13 kg. it has the most secure and safest shell. You'll want to keep her in it til she maxes the height or weight limit. My boy hit that at 11 months, but some people get nearly 2 yrs!

I got the besafe one. It came with my travel system package too

It's also not recommended to buy second hand as you have no idea if the seat has been in a crash of any kind. I'd only trust a sibling in that regard.

We got the besafe izi go and found the adapters for the buggy a nightmare. Both of my ERF seats have a 5 point harness one (0-18kg) has passed the Swedish plus test so I have no doubts it is safe.

We brought the car seat up to holles st and we were absolutely clueless! The midwives put the baby in a snowsuit, then blankets and had the harness on so loose! Now not as bad a Prince George but not far off!
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jul/24/science/la-sci-sn-royal-baby-george-carseat-20130724 I wouldn't mind half the people in the hospital had the besafe the rest had the cabriofix ! For number two they can come down to my car and check my ERF seat!!

baby_pebble

Hi, so our nearly 7 month old is getting way too big for his maxi cosi car seat so looking for a new one. Looking for a rear facing one up til 18kg roughly and then be able to turn it to forward facing if possible. Any tips please? Ones I'm finding are crazy prices 350+

mirrorwall14

What infant seat are you using? It would be unusual to be outgrowing the maxi cosi for example that young because the weight limit is 13kg and the baba's head has to be level with the top of it. The infant insert can be removed to create more space.

The most reasonably priced ERF seat that can then be turned is the joie stages as far as I know. You can get it for around 150e in halfords if you use the axa plus card for 10% off. Its ERF to 18kg, then ff until 25kg. I have the joie tilt for my second seat at the moment which is also ERF to 18kg but will be outgrown quicker because it doesn't have an extending headrest and it cannot face forward.

I recommend joining the facebook group "Ireland-rear facing car seats for toddlers and children" for advice, they are excellent!

baby_pebble

Thanks for the reply mirrorwall, he's over 10kg now and seems rather squished into it (cabriofix) and is always soaked with sweat on his head and back so think he needs bit more room

mirrorwall14

Cabriofix does go to 13kg alright. I assume you have the insert out? Bear in mind they shouldn't have a coat on in a car seat as it creates too much space between them and the straps. Its a bit of a pain in the ass when getting him out in winter for the shops to be getting him into the coat but better safe than sorry. I use the maxi cosi as my short trip seat now with my 9 month old as he wasn't as comfortable but we use the joie tilt for the long trips (got it for 90e in argos on sale) as he has a bit more wiggle room while still being totally secure

baby_pebble

yea insert is out and no jackets are anything like that on when he is in it, I end up lifting him out of it now whenever we are going into a shop or anything because it has gotten way to heavy to lift!

mirrorwall14

God yeah, I stopped lifting him in it at about 5 months! Thats actually why I gave the childminder the maxicosi and isofix base. The tilt is seatbelt fixed so it can stay in place where she will be taking out the carseat at weekends. I figured if I'm taking him out of the seat anyways it doesn't matter to me which one he's using! Smyths and halfords both have the stages so I'd recommend having a look. My dream seat above that is the axkid minikid which goes for about 310 on the group discounts that run regularly with that facebook group

baby_pebble

Thanks for the help

Millem

baby_pebble wrote: »

Thanks for the help

Contact http://incarsafetycentre.co.uk they will tell you the best options for your car

Redgirl82

Quick question, my little girl is just under 2 & 1/2, we have the Axiss car seat and I love it. Anyway I have had problems with her getting her hands out. Tried a number of things but went back to shop and they recommended I was lifting the back part at her head high enough.

This worked for a while but now I cant move this any higher and she is starting to get her hands out again. I was talking to someone and they said she had probably grown out of car seat, she is very tall and maybe I should look at full size booster seat like below...

Would this be correct? if so what is best booster out there....


http://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/baby/c-586/car-seats-booster/p-3689/graco-junior-maxi-lyon-group-2-3-car-seat/

baby_pebble

Mirrorwall recommended I join this facebook group, "Ireland-rear facing car seats for toddlers and children". Im so glad I did as I have learnt so much about car seats and there will def be someone there who can help you Redgirl82. But I think she is way too young for that booster yet.

mirrorwall14

2 1/2? God I definitely wouldn't be putting her on a booster with just a seatbelt. What height is she?

jlm29

There's a clip called a Houdini clip, designed to "stop little escape artists"- might be worth a look. I never had to use one, but I've heard them mentioned by friends. If she's taking her hands out of the car seat straps, she'll probably be putting the seat belt in under her arm too!

RentDayBlues

Redgirl82 wrote: »

Quick question, my little girl is just under 2 & 1/2, we have the Axiss car seat and I love it. Anyway I have had problems with her getting her hands out. Tried a number of things but went back to shop and they recommended I was lifting the back part at her head high enough.

This worked for a while but now I cant move this any higher and she is starting to get her hands out again. I was talking to someone and they said she had probably grown out of car seat, she is very tall and maybe I should look at full size booster seat like below...

Would this be correct? if so what is best booster out there....


http://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/baby/c-586/car-seats-booster/p-3689/graco-junior-maxi-lyon-group-2-3-car-seat/

I would be loathe to move a child that young into a booster seat, seat belts are much to get out of rather than car seat straps

It's strange that they recommend moving the headrest part, how was that meant to help? The way I understand it is that the straps for the seat should be level or below shoulder height and when buckled there should be no free space between the belt and body

It might be worth visiting one of the rsa carseat fitting events and getting their advice.

Day Lewin

This might have been asked before, but there's 37 pages of this thread and I might not have found it.

But ANYHOW....We now have grand-kiddies and have had to collect car seats as they grew. We've now got three such seats, various sizes, and I have to empty the attic: but when I asked at the Oxfam shop the person there said they won't take them to sell on, in case the seat had been damaged in a crash, etc. (That's what she said)

So my question is: how to get rid of child car seats? Does nobody take them second-hand? I'd pass them on for free if anyone wanted them, it seems awful to drop such expensive items into the landfill waste.

(If this is against charter, can Mods please move it to whatever is more suitable forum?)

Redgirl82

katemarch wrote: »

This might have been asked before, but there's 37 pages of this thread and I might not have found it.

But ANYHOW....We now have grand-kiddies and have had to collect car seats as they grew. We've now got three such seats, various sizes, and I have to empty the attic: but when I asked at the Oxfam shop the person there said they won't take them to sell on, in case the seat had been damaged in a crash, etc. (That's what she said)

So my question is: how to get rid of child car seats? Does nobody take them second-hand? I'd pass them on for free if anyone wanted them, it seems awful to drop such expensive items into the landfill waste.

(If this is against charter, can Mods please move it to whatever is more suitable forum?)

Adverts you will sell them handy, what type/model are they and I can give you an idea of what you should put them up at? If you want PM me,....

baby_pebble

katemarch wrote: »

This might have been asked before, but there's 37 pages of this thread and I might not have found it.

But ANYHOW....We now have grand-kiddies and have had to collect car seats as they grew. We've now got three such seats, various sizes, and I have to empty the attic: but when I asked at the Oxfam shop the person there said they won't take them to sell on, in case the seat had been damaged in a crash, etc. (That's what she said)

So my question is: how to get rid of child car seats? Does nobody take them second-hand? I'd pass them on for free if anyone wanted them, it seems awful to drop such expensive items into the landfill waste.

(If this is against charter, can Mods please move it to whatever is more suitable forum?)

It depends on how old the carseats are, some people say their is no expiration but there could be wear and tear.

jakeypooh

Hi

Can anbody help me.

I need to fit a high back booster for a 4 yr old a 5pt harness britax evolva 123 for a 2 yr old and a isofix base with and izi go for a new baby in the back of a land rover discovery?

Has anyone done this ir can recommend slimer fitting car seats?

Cyrus

Hi all

Our little girl is 18 months, she is on her second car seat maxi cosi pearl fitted to the family fix base.

She is very tall for her age (both her mum and I are relatively tall) so her head is already above the top of the back of it. She weights around 32lbs or so.

i assume that this means we need to move onto the next size seat (although i thought these were for 3 years upwards)

is that correct or am i missing something? if that is the case whats the general consensus on a good group 2/3 seat, iso fix i guess.

Edit,

I have just realised there is head rest adjustment, i can raise that above the height of the main shell, is that what im supposed to do ?

Ginny

Yes move the head support up, make sure she is sitting deeply into the seat, make sure her crotch is down snug to to crotch buckle. She would have to be extremely tall to have outgrown the seat at this age. Have you measured her recently?

Cyrus

Ginny wrote: »

Yes move the head support up, make sure she is sitting deeply into the seat, make sure her crotch is down snug to to crotch buckle. She would have to be extremely tall to have outgrown the seat at this age. Have you measured her recently?

ill adjust the head support im sure thats it

Redgirl82

Cyrus wrote: »

Hi all

Our little girl is 18 months, she is on her second car seat maxi cosi pebble fitted to the family fix base.

She is very tall for her age (both her mum and I are relatively tall) so her head is already above the top of the back of it. She weights around 32lbs or so.

i assume that this means we need to move onto the next size seat (although i thought these were for 3 years upwards)

is that correct or am i missing something? if that is the case whats the general consensus on a good group 2/3 seat, iso fix i guess.

Edit,

I have just realised there is head rest adjustment, i can raise that above the height of the main shell, is that what im supposed to do ?

The Pebble is up to 1 year and 13kg. Your child is over 14kg


My little girl was tall so I ended up taking her out of pebble at 10 months and she loved moving into front facing seat

You need to move up to next car seat

My recommendation is Axiss, it is not Iso-fix but I love it. Great for getting little ones in and out of car

The Axiss is from 9 months up

http://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/baby/car-seats-booster/c-589/group-1-9-months-4-years-approx-/p-3996/maxi-cosi-axiss-group-1-car-seat/

Smyths used to have on offer at around 160-180 but back to normal price