Advice needed - baby car seat questions (merged)

finc

I don't agree calmgirl, they may all pass the same tests but this is to do with the safety aspect.

They don't all fit the same cars and some aren't as easy to fit into the car as others. Then you have to consider which is the easiest to get your child in and out of. To be honest, the colour was the last part I considered.

I would recommend the maxi cosi priori xp to anyone but there are many others on the market that I'm sure are just as good . If going for this, though, make sure it's the xp one as there is also a priori without the xp and that doesn't have the lever thingy. This makes the carseat ultra solid with no wobble. I've had some carseats that despite pulling the seatbelt with every ounce of strength still don't feel sturdy and wobble about!

Dormouse

We've just bought a Britax Ranger from Tesco Extra for our 2.5-year-old and it's great. It's suitable from 9kg (approx. 9 months) to 36kg (11 yrs) so you won't need another one. It coverts into a booster seat when your little one is a bit bigger. It also says on it that it fits cars that many seats don't. It's very light and easy to use -- you just use the adult seatbelt (with a special adjusting clip thingie).

Best of all, it's only £49.97, plus your Tesco points. If your Tesco takes vouchers for things you haven't bought, you can have it even cheaper.

Our previous seat was a Britax and we were happy with that one as well.

SammyD_2

calmgirl wrote:

all baby seats go through the same tests and are not allowed to sell unless they pass. at the end of the day its down to what coulor you like

Yes, it is true they are not allowed to sell the seats unless they pass certain minimum safety standards, but car seats are not all the same in safety terms - read the report in Which? on this. Some provide much better protection in certain types of accidents than other seats, eg most seats do not provide very good side protection for their users.

While it is not always a case of the more expensive seats being better than cheaper seats, they are not all as safe as each other. If you are carrying your precious child around, surely it is better to go for the safest?

$17mma

Whilst all car seats a saftey tested etc.. what about your car?

by way of explanation.. all car seating is shaped differently and you may be better off finding a car seat that firmly and securly fits your car seating...have you thought of contacting manufacturer and asking what car seats they recommend?

I know some sport seats in cars are shaped differently but not only the sports seats sometimes depends on the model of car.

Just a thought

vandanfc

Have a look at this site, it might help you make a choice.

http://www.car-safety.org/

Vanda

apples1

you can sign up to a free trial on "Which" website, (just remember to cancel afterwards). That will allow you to read the report oncar seats. There are different reports and different recommendations depending on the age of the child. It is NOT true that they are all much the same. I have done this for each stage car seat and bought their top recommendation for safety each time. They are not always the most well known makes!

Once you know which are the top couple for your child's age go to a decent shop and have them fit them in the car to make sure they fit perfectly. A local independent one is often better than Mothercare etc. Ours wouldn't let us leave until we had shown them we knew how to fit it ourselves! If you want to shop round for price do that after you have done both of the above!

adr0ck

calmgirl wrote:

all baby seats go through the same tests and are not allowed to sell unless they pass. at the end of the day its down to what coulor you like

yes the same basic tests ......which i think if i remember correctly their all tested for front impact only......so as long as your only planning on having a front impact in your car (not that you'd be planning any impact) all car seats are the same...if you want a seat thats been tested for side impact etc read the which? report

most libraries stock which? (usually behind the desk)

brummiebabe

If all goes well, should be having our 3rd baby in November.

We have recently got a new car (Focus) which I love! However, you can't fit 3 car seats in the back! DS1 is nearly 6 -are there any alternatives to booster seats - which would enable him to sit comfortably in the middle seat (it has a proper 3 point belt!)

Otherwise, I'll need to look at changing the car - and could obviously do without that expense!!!!! Any ideas anyone??

ALI1973

Sorry hun, I think a change of car will be in order (I know how you feel No.3 is due very soon and have the same prob). In May it becomes law that any child under11 travelling in a car MUST be in the correct type car seat. The driver will incur points and fine for non compliance.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Love Ali

Alleycat

Ooh, tricky. I just tried a search on google for fitting three child car seats into a focus but couldn't find anything. Could you possibly disable the front passenger air bag and have one of the car seats at the front? Though whether you would be able to wedge two car seats and an adult into the back would be questionable. I guess it would be a case of trying it to see? Maybe contact Ford and ask them if they have any advice/suggestions? They may be able to recommend a suitable child seat?

Anyway congratulations on the impending arrival!