Finding the correct car seat? Any advice welcome.

Hiddenidenity

Firstly sorry if this is posted in the wrong place I wasn't sure where to post.

My youngest is 3. She's just 18kg so her current rear facing seat is no longer suitable.

I need advice for a budget car seat for now that will still allow an harness rather than the seat belt to fix her in.

It will only be used occasionally until we can get an extended rear facer for 18kg+
So don't want to spend an extortionate amount.

I can't see where it says if the harness is suitable for over 18kg on argos etc I might just be being thick

Sagaris

The harness probably isn't suitable for over 18kg, not many are. Which seat have you got?

The Britax Two Way Elite is extended rear facing until 25kg, lightweight, easy to fit and will is compatible with most cars. The cheapest place to get it is here: http://erfmission.com/sale-britax-two-way-elite-finland/

kingfisherblue

When I had a car seat query (for a child with special needs and who could challenge Houdini in my case!), I contacted ROSPA for advice. They recommended the In Car Safety Centre. They were able to advise not only on suitable car seats, but also arranged for me to borrow the one that they recommended from a council that had a range of car seats availabel - so that people could try different ones in their cars before buying. Although they didn't usually lend out, it was arranged that we could borrow one until I could obtain one, due to my son's needs. I know it is a different situation, but I just wanted to let you know how knowledgeable and helpful they were, although it was a few years ago now.

http://incarsafetycentre.co.uk/

Hiddenidenity

Thank you I will contact them. She also has special needs and I do feel she definitely needs more than just a seat belt to strap her in.

We have a bit longer with our's currently I've just looked at her notes from last week's appointment and i must have misheard her weight. So at least it's not as urgent now.

Thanks again for your replies.

Sagaris

The In Car Safety Centre specialise in special needs seats, so definitely worth a call or visit.

AndyBSG

I guess it really all depends on what your idea of 'budget' is?

As long as the seat satisfies the EU safety regulations then almost any one could do but you'll find the more you spend the more features it will have and generally the more comfortable it will be and easier to adjust and use.

I have two kids and with my wife's car, my car and both grandparents we have 6 different car seats.

Of them all the one I found the best value in terms of comfort, ease of use, etc was the Britax Duo Plus.

On that basis we didn't look any further than the Britax Evolva 1-2-3 SL SICT when they outgrew those but they really are quite pricey.

On the other hand the Evolva 1-2-3 Romer is also a great seat but the main issue for me is that it's not an ISO fix one(the grandparents have this because their car is pre ISO fix).

Hiddenidenity

Thank you for replying. Ive decided to wait and get a rear facer to 25kg rather than having to pay put for a budget forward facer then a erf in a few weeks

glentoran99

Sagaris wrote: »

The harness probably isn't suitable for over 18kg, not many are. Which seat have you got?

The Britax Two Way Elite is extended rear facing until 25kg, lightweight, easy to fit and will is compatible with most cars. The cheapest place to get it is here: http://erfmission.com/sale-britax-two-way-elite-finland/

Not sure where you get that from? http://www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/child-car-seats/joie-elevate-1-2-3-child-car-seat


its only when you get to stage 3 is the seat belt the restraint and not the 5 point harness

Kynthia

glentoran99 wrote: »

Not sure where you get that from? http://www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/child-car-seats/joie-elevate-1-2-3-child-car-seat


its only when you get to stage 3 is the seat belt the restraint and not the 5 point harness

The Joie seat you've linked only allows the 5-point harness up to 18kg. Once the child hits that weight limit you are meant to convert it to the high-back booster where the car seat belt is the restraint. However it's not recommended that children under 4 years use a seat belt instead of a harness which is why places like the In Car Safety Centre recommend seats that harness to 25kg for heavier toddlers. There aren't many seats that harness over 18kg and i dont think you can harness in an isofix seat over 18kg, so the seat will be fitted using the seat belt.

Sagaris

glentoran99 wrote: »

Not sure where you get that from? http://www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/child-car-seats/joie-elevate-1-2-3-child-car-seat


its only when you get to stage 3 is the seat belt the restraint and not the 5 point harness

Harnessed seats are not usually tested for over 18kg, that particular seat becomes a high backed booster after that weight, as Kynthia says.

I have fitted that particular seat and I'm a trained car seat fitter (for 18 years) so I have a bit of experience!

GwylimT

We use the reverso plus, rear facing isofix until 23kg.