Transporting Baby Options (Ford Fiesta)

elle_gee · 7 July 2008 at 11:43PM

The 3door/5door car debate has got me thinking..

I'm pregnant, but really don't think I can afford to change my car, which is currently a 3door 03 plate Fiesta. I love the car so would probably only swap it for a 5door Fiesta, but I just can't afford to.

As I see it, options are:-
1. Switch the airbags off at the front passenger side and strap the baby seat in the front.
2. Get a car seat with a base unit to clip it into, thus eliminating the battle with a seatbelt (or am I mistaken, and they require the seatbelt too?) when putting baby in the back.

Are there anymore options, and which of the above (or other suggestions) would you go for?

t_obermory · 8 July 2008 at 8:18AM

The base units do require a seat belt but once they're fitted in the car you just leave them there and clip the car seat in and out of the base.

If you go to Mothercare and I imagine other places do it too, they let you try the seats in your car before you buy so you can be sure they fit. That way you'd be able to see if getting the baby seat in and out of the back is feasible for you.

Personally I prefer to have my baby in the back as its less distracting, but it all depends on personal preference. For the first couple of weeks you might want baby in the front so you don't have to lift awkwardly but you can always move the seat into the back later on if necessary.

katym79 · 8 July 2008 at 9:43AM

i had a 3 door when DD was first born and in hindsight wished i had base unit for it, especially as i used the car seat as travel system for ages, meaning it was in and out of the car all the time.I have one of those mirrors strapped to the back headrest so i can see her as i drive, i don't really like the idea of her being in the front for some reason.I guess it depends whether you will often carry another adult passenger - easier for them to use front rather than getting in and out of the back of a 3 door...?

Nomio_2 · 8 July 2008 at 10:07AM

Hi, I am in a similar situation. We have a 54 Fiesta and baby on the way. We have chosen a maxi cosi car seat with the easy base and we got it at kiddicare (we searched around for the cheapest and they did a price match). We went to the store first and they checked it would fit before buying. Also went through Quidco - very mse!!!

We worked out that to change our car to a 5 door we would lose out by about £500 so with that we decided to stick to what we have and get the base. Plus we have no extra cash so it would have had to have been an older car. I have to say it's dead easy because you just lean in a bit and lock it on as opposed to getting right in and having to fit the seatbelt each time. I already have a bad back so didn't want to do this! Plus it looks nice and I get to keep my beloved car. We gave it a good wash and wax and it looks all shiney again, the car that is.

Hope this helps, goodluck!!!

lady_stardust · 8 July 2008 at 10:18AM

The base unit does use the seatbelt, but it uses a lot less belt than the seat alone and the seat is much more secure in the car and easier to fit. I got the set for my small Fiat, and its really good.

Everyone says I will have to change my car now but I don't know if I will - I have a pushchair that fits in the boot (albeit with the parcel shelf out) and the car seat fits in the front, leaving me with the back seat still free for other paraphenalia!

nej · 8 July 2008 at 10:53AM

My wife had a 3-door Rover when we had our son, and she really really struggled with putting him in (we had a car seat with a detachable base which made it a bit easier, but it was still difficult).

We bought a 7-seater people carrier instead, which is probably a tad extreme, but it really made our lives a lot easier.

flea72 · 8 July 2008 at 11:36AM

personally, i would turn off the airbag and have baby in the front, as getting in and out of the back is a pita. however, as you arent planning on changing your car, then you will just have to get used to climbing in and out the back with a child.

your next challenge though is, finding a pushchair that doesnt take up the whole of the boot.

Flea

r.mac_2 · 8 July 2008 at 11:58AM

we are having the same debate at the moment. I generally drive short distances by myself as OH takes public transport to work. Therefore we are going to stick with our three door BMW. I prefer the idea of switching off the airbag and having baby close by me to begin with.

For us the deciding factor was the cost - we own the car outright and to change it would cost us - plus we can't agree on what to buy instead!!!! Once baby is a bit bigger we can look at the situation again.

RustyFlange · 8 July 2008 at 1:34PM

For goodness sake it really isn't necessary to have a 5 door car if you have children, however it is easier in certain cases. When I had my son I had a 3 door and never had a problem, you adapt when you have kids simple. Now I have 2 children and I now have a 5 door which yes is easier, however my partner has a limited edition (only 4 ever made

) sports car and that is a 3 door, we manage, we swap one seat for my son who is 5 and the other is a forward bulky facing Maxi cosi tobi we have no problems.

Gingham_Ribbon · 8 July 2008 at 2:04PM

It depends on how you manage after the birth. I had various problems with my back caused by the pregnancy and difficult birth and couldn't have managed to put him in the back of a 3 door one. I used the front when I was well enough but it had no air bag.

I used an isofix base with my second and it was quite easy to use but I found that it sat him too far upright and his head fell forward when he was sleeping which worried me and I ended up just using the seat with the belt. You need to be confident with the fit before you get the seat.

The other alternative, which I did with my first, because I couldn't lift him and the seat because of my back, I had the seat fitted with the belt, then just lifted him out round the seatbelt and kept it fitted, just checking it briefly each time. It was fine, except that I had to wake him up occasionally to get out of the car.

squashy · 8 July 2008 at 2:38PM

We have an installed car seat and lift the baby herself in and out too, those baby buckets with handles are so cumbersome! It is also not a good idea to leave them in them for too long when they are tiny. It is ok in the car but they should really lie flat in their pram or upright in a sling/carrier when you arrive at your destination

Transporting Baby Options (Ford Fiesta)

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