Transporting Baby Options (Ford Fiesta)

Janepig

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

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.

That's exactly what happened with mine! I remember bringing DD home from hospital and I was sitting in the back if the car with her with my hand under her chin to stop her head flopping forward!!! Never used it much after that.

DH bought a 4 door saloon car afew months later but I kept the 3 door car for me which I used until just after DS was 1 and managed okay but I was glad when I changed it for a 5 door which has made things easier. The only problem now is if we want to take MIL on any day trips with us then one of us (me usually :rolleyes:) has to shoe-horn themselves inbetween DD's booster seat and DS's car seat in the back of DH's car, so I think at some point we may upgrade to a Galaxy or something similar (second hand of course!!!).

Jxx

MRS_TO_BE_2

Flea is right...not good for developing Spines.

I would recommend you go and visit a good nursery store who can check out what fits your car...Not all Car seats fit all makes and models. Believe me I have had enough problems myself. Also they can vary between models...friend and husband both have meganes but different car seats fit each car better....A good trained fitter will tell you which is best for your car.

lady_stardust

It's a shame that there has to be such a compromise. I know some manufacturers have introduced lie-flat car seats for newborns, but they did atrociously in the Which? crash tests (which IMO are much more realistic than the certification tests)

Ultimately I would rather go for the seat that offers the best crash protection - the odds on being in an accident are greater than SIDS, and I freely admit that my car is not top of the class for crash protection, but I can't afford to replace it.

elle_gee

I've had a look in the glovebox and the hole is there for the switch to go in, but it's not there - presumably as mine is only the LX model so doesn't come with it as standard. I read the Owners' Manual book and it's got it all in there about getting the switch fitted if it's not there as standard so I'll phone up the local dealer and find out the cost tomorrow.

All this said, we were talking whilst in the car earlier and said it might be distracting to have baby in the front so we would give serious consideration to the baby in the back with a mirror so I can see what he/she is upto (whilst facing backwards).

Thanks again all

VK-2008

well i had 3 door car and used to take niece and nephew out and it was murder then got 5 door and found it so much easier. personal choice tho!

shirlgirl2004

lady_stardust wrote: »

It's a shame that there has to be such a compromise. I know some manufacturers have introduced lie-flat car seats for newborns, but they did atrociously in the Which? crash tests (which IMO are much more realistic than the certification tests)

Ultimately I would rather go for the seat that offers the best crash protection - the odds on being in an accident are greater than SIDS, and I freely admit that my car is not top of the class for crash protection, but I can't afford to replace it.

The Which tests are flawed. With the lie flat car seats they tested them with the "babies" head against the door rather than to the middle which is not advised by the manufacturers. Well of course if the door crunches it will have a head injury.

Also they rated the Maxi Tobi Cosi as a best buy when it has IME safety issues, such as the indicator telling you that the seat belt is tight enough doesn't work properly. If I left the belts as loose as it recommends my DD would be able to climb out :eek: .

Sagaris

Regardless of the way the seats were facing in the test, the baby's head is seen to be moving about in crash tests in the lie flat seats, far more than is safe and a great deal more than in a conventional Group 0+ rear facing seat. RoSPA have also spoken out against them, I've had communication with them regarding this type of seat and they do not like them at all.

funky-footprints

Ive been lead to believe some dealerships refuse to switch off airbags, and in the cases that do, some insurance firms wont cover you. (or is that all rubbsh ?) that was one of the reasons why i swapped cars with my husband, when our son was born, from my 3 door to his 5 door.

ive never had my chlldren in the front, it is too much of a distraction and i wouldnt feel safe at all.

you can get a mirror to attach to the back seat to check on the baby, and it is far safer to then pull over if necessary, than fiddle with baby while driving.

i only use the which reports as a guide, they never state the vehicle being used, and i'd imagne even the lower down the scale car seats, would be safer in a bigger sturdier vehicle. (for example driving into the back of a 106 is going to create more of an impact than driving in to the back of a volvo) the test clips i have seen on youtube, review websites and the like, never seem to have the seats fitted properly.

i have heard slating reports about the lie flat car seats on baby forums.

flea72

funky-footprints wrote: »

Ive been lead to believe some dealerships refuse to switch off airbags, and in the cases that do, some insurance firms wont cover you. (or is that all rubbsh ?) that was one of the reasons why i swapped cars with my husband, when our son was born, from my 3 door to his 5 door.

if there is a switch that allows you turn the airbag off, then you are covered by insurance.

Its only if you deactivate an airbag by other methods (ie removing, deploying, disconnecting) that you will not be covered by insurance, as this is classed as a modification and your car is insured on the fact the passenger will be protected by an airbag, as that is a standard on that vehicle, iyswim. It is for this reason, that a garage will not deactivate an airbag, as they can sued for allowing a car to be left in an unsafe state, as the owner of the vehicle, will usually deny all knowledge of the airbag being removed (espec if they had sold car on, and havent told new owners)

Flea

cootebird

I worked for a dealer, and they wouldn't deactivate earlier models - as Flea said, because the next owner may not be aware it's been deactivated and then hold the manufacturer/dealer responsible, should they have an accident.
Also, if they work on your car and need to remove the baby seat, they rarely put it back unless they hold a certificate to fit baby seats.

On the subject though, I'm sure you'll get used to the 3 door, and if you find it a real struggle - maybe look at the slightly older model or the equivalent when it comes to it.