Child Seat Advice
Discussion
The next stage rear facing seats are generally higher up giving more of a view, which might help.
You can always make the back seat a more interesting place with dangly things from the headrests, mirrors so they can see your face or a forward facing DVD player to bribe them with a bit of Iggle Piggle.
You can always make the back seat a more interesting place with dangly things from the headrests, mirrors so they can see your face or a forward facing DVD player to bribe them with a bit of Iggle Piggle.
Beefmeister said:
Our daughter is now 9 months and just about 10kg.
We currently have the Stokke iZiSleep by BeSafe in the car (a Skoda Yeti) and frankly, she absolutely hates it. It's far too constricting and she just hates facing backwards as she can't see very much (as much of an issue with the Yeti's rear vis to be honest).
So as she's almost outgrown the iZiSleep we are looking to move up to the next stage. It will be going in the Yeti until May, then into a new Octavia Estate (vRS if that matters). I know the benefits etc of rear Vs front facing, but we will be going with front facing as she hates facing backwards so much.
So, any suggestions? Is it best to go for a Stage 1, or one that can expand to 2 and 3?
Thanks in advance, the advice you offer in this thread is absolutely invaluable!
Skoda cars are very roomy cars if you are not extreemly tall ofcause.We currently have the Stokke iZiSleep by BeSafe in the car (a Skoda Yeti) and frankly, she absolutely hates it. It's far too constricting and she just hates facing backwards as she can't see very much (as much of an issue with the Yeti's rear vis to be honest).
So as she's almost outgrown the iZiSleep we are looking to move up to the next stage. It will be going in the Yeti until May, then into a new Octavia Estate (vRS if that matters). I know the benefits etc of rear Vs front facing, but we will be going with front facing as she hates facing backwards so much.
So, any suggestions? Is it best to go for a Stage 1, or one that can expand to 2 and 3?
Thanks in advance, the advice you offer in this thread is absolutely invaluable!
You put your troubles down to the direction she is travelling in. Not neccesarily so. It could be several things. Other cause are listed further below in this post.
Firstly,I would arrange for a visit to a shop which stocks both types forwardfacers and rearfacers, have those test installed into your car and let her try to sit in them and leave her in each one for a few minutes to see what happens. Granted that is she screams her head of no matter where you put her or what you do and what toys you put up and where you put them and nothing happens in a forward facing seat, then forward facing it is. Distraction is a problem outthere.
She is 9 months old, so seperation anxiety is a likely cause for your troubles, which does not work in favor of rearfacing car seats onless you have one of those mirrors or put her in the front seat with the airbag deactivated.
Many 9 month olds also hate to be harnessed as they are begining to sit and have "better things to do" than staring into the backrest of the back seat, such as exploring the world around them.
A lot of parents experience troubles like yours in the car - mostly about this time in the baby´s life. I have been through the same thing with both my own children. For us it was just sticking with it. It lasted a couple of months with both of them. We still strapped them in and went out. It was hard, but well worth it, and after a couple of months and it was over, they rode happily in their car seats. Sarah was still using her infant seat at the time (9 years old now, upgraded to the next stage at 13 months) Mathias 8now 6 years old) was in the next stage seat.
It might also be a comfort issue in the Izi Sleep. That happens from time to time in all infant carriers,where a switch to another infant seat solves the issue. next seat for you is a bigger seat tough.
infant carriers dont offer much entertainment in terms of view out of the car. The next stage Besafe rearfacers offer much better view out of the car especially if you remove the headrest onthe backseat she is in - speaking from first hand experience with them all that includes quite a number of children less than 1 year old as well as Skoda cars. The next stage rearfacers are very different and cannot be compared with the infant seats. Same goes for the other brands. With a mirror up to see you, her view will be better than if facing forwards.
Stage 1 forward facers generally fit children aged 1-4 really well. This is sometimes not the case with those that exspand all the way through stage 3. Other than that, if you go for a 1,2,3 seat, then stick strictly with the user guide word by word. My experience is that some parents make up their own rules about how to use them thinking it wont affect their childrens´ safety. That´s a bad idea. and let it be a harnessed one - not one with an impact shield.
Edited by lenats31 on Sunday 27th October 19:54
Edited by lenats31 on Sunday 27th October 20:13
PomBstard said:
We're now expecting the arrival of PB Jr No3, and need a some car and seat advice - I'm looking for the narrowest seats available to go into either a 2007 Subaru Liberty/Legacy or a 2010 Forester. I need two boosters, and a rear-facing infant carrier. Britax Australia seems to have a good choice, and wondering if two HiLiner boosters with one of their baby capsules might be about as narrow as I can go. By the time I need to get a bigger infant seat, I'll only need one booster.
Isofix not allowed over here - all seats in the back need a top tether. Also, no infant seats in the front - can't disable the airbag.
Also, any thoughts about fitting three seats into the cars mentioned? I know I'll struggle to get three across the back of the 07 Forester we've currently got. I'm ignoring all the helpful advice about needing to get a 2-tonne seven-seater to pootle around the urban sprawl...
I´m happy to inform you that by the end of this year (approx) Australians can buy Australian made car seats with isofix as the system has been written into the standard Isofix not allowed over here - all seats in the back need a top tether. Also, no infant seats in the front - can't disable the airbag.
Also, any thoughts about fitting three seats into the cars mentioned? I know I'll struggle to get three across the back of the 07 Forester we've currently got. I'm ignoring all the helpful advice about needing to get a 2-tonne seven-seater to pootle around the urban sprawl...
Edited by PomBstard on Tuesday 22 October 10:53
(after more than a decade of debating and voting on it
)browna said:
Hi, quick question.
I'm looking for a group 1 forward facing isofix seat for our 2005 civic 5 door.
I'm guessing britax or maxi cosi are the safest bettor quality.
Any specific recommendations?
Thnaks.
I´ll add Besafe to your list.I'm looking for a group 1 forward facing isofix seat for our 2005 civic 5 door.
I'm guessing britax or maxi cosi are the safest bettor quality.
Any specific recommendations?
Thnaks.
Specific recs. depend on what you want other than letting it be a harnessed one by all means.
After advice ref. using a Group-1 seat across 2 or more cars:-
- Daily driver is a modern mid-sized saloon with ISOFIX (albeit quite difficult to access ISOFIX). The issue is that this car may / may not be kept beyond the next 6-12 months. If it goes, replacement likely to be a mainstream company car, e.g. 3-series/A4/etc.
- Second car is an older (but decent sized and fairly crash-worthy) 2-seat weekend toy with a passenger airbag (that I believe can't be deactivated, not unless I remove the fuse). Only likely to be used a couple of times a year with the little 'un, but would be nice to be able to. Nice to have rather than essential...
Other points:-
- J is 16mths old and already in a Gp-1 rear-facer in the wife's car. This is the car we'll use for most journeys with him, and most long-journeys. But he'll be in our Gp-1 seats for at least 2 more years, probably longer.
- ...so we'd rather save >>£100 and go for a front-facer for the '2nd car' car seat. In addition, this opens up the possibility of using it in the weekend toy as above, and also reduces the risk of it not fitting in the next daily-driver car if I do have to change.
So, the questions are:-
1) What are the professionals thoughts on using the car seat in the weekend toy, and at what age it's safe to take J out in it (i.e. front-seat).
2) What brands / models of Group-1 seat are more flexible in their fitting from car to car?
3) Is it worth looking for a seat that will fit via both ISOFIX and belt, or just go for a belt-fitted seat and take care I do it correctly each time?
- Daily driver is a modern mid-sized saloon with ISOFIX (albeit quite difficult to access ISOFIX). The issue is that this car may / may not be kept beyond the next 6-12 months. If it goes, replacement likely to be a mainstream company car, e.g. 3-series/A4/etc.
- Second car is an older (but decent sized and fairly crash-worthy) 2-seat weekend toy with a passenger airbag (that I believe can't be deactivated, not unless I remove the fuse). Only likely to be used a couple of times a year with the little 'un, but would be nice to be able to. Nice to have rather than essential...
Other points:-
- J is 16mths old and already in a Gp-1 rear-facer in the wife's car. This is the car we'll use for most journeys with him, and most long-journeys. But he'll be in our Gp-1 seats for at least 2 more years, probably longer.
- ...so we'd rather save >>£100 and go for a front-facer for the '2nd car' car seat. In addition, this opens up the possibility of using it in the weekend toy as above, and also reduces the risk of it not fitting in the next daily-driver car if I do have to change.
So, the questions are:-
1) What are the professionals thoughts on using the car seat in the weekend toy, and at what age it's safe to take J out in it (i.e. front-seat).
2) What brands / models of Group-1 seat are more flexible in their fitting from car to car?
3) Is it worth looking for a seat that will fit via both ISOFIX and belt, or just go for a belt-fitted seat and take care I do it correctly each time?
havoc said:
After advice ref. using a Group-1 seat across 2 or more cars:-
- Daily driver is a modern mid-sized saloon with ISOFIX (albeit quite difficult to access ISOFIX). The issue is that this car may / may not be kept beyond the next 6-12 months. If it goes, replacement likely to be a mainstream company car, e.g. 3-series/A4/etc.
- Second car is an older (but decent sized and fairly crash-worthy) 2-seat weekend toy with a passenger airbag (that I believe can't be deactivated, not unless I remove the fuse). Only likely to be used a couple of times a year with the little 'un, but would be nice to be able to. Nice to have rather than essential...
Other points:-
- J is 16mths old and already in a Gp-1 rear-facer in the wife's car. This is the car we'll use for most journeys with him, and most long-journeys. But he'll be in our Gp-1 seats for at least 2 more years, probably longer.
- ...so we'd rather save >>£100 and go for a front-facer for the '2nd car' car seat. In addition, this opens up the possibility of using it in the weekend toy as above, and also reduces the risk of it not fitting in the next daily-driver car if I do have to change.
So, the questions are:-
1) What are the professionals thoughts on using the car seat in the weekend toy, and at what age it's safe to take J out in it (i.e. front-seat).
2) What brands / models of Group-1 seat are more flexible in their fitting from car to car?
3) Is it worth looking for a seat that will fit via both ISOFIX and belt, or just go for a belt-fitted seat and take care I do it correctly each time?
1. You can take him out in it now, provided that you can find a suitable car seat for him and the car. There are car fitting lists available from the manufactorers. Your only options will most likely be forward facing ones anyway, as I don´t think there is a key switch for the airbag. - Daily driver is a modern mid-sized saloon with ISOFIX (albeit quite difficult to access ISOFIX). The issue is that this car may / may not be kept beyond the next 6-12 months. If it goes, replacement likely to be a mainstream company car, e.g. 3-series/A4/etc.
- Second car is an older (but decent sized and fairly crash-worthy) 2-seat weekend toy with a passenger airbag (that I believe can't be deactivated, not unless I remove the fuse). Only likely to be used a couple of times a year with the little 'un, but would be nice to be able to. Nice to have rather than essential...
Other points:-
- J is 16mths old and already in a Gp-1 rear-facer in the wife's car. This is the car we'll use for most journeys with him, and most long-journeys. But he'll be in our Gp-1 seats for at least 2 more years, probably longer.
- ...so we'd rather save >>£100 and go for a front-facer for the '2nd car' car seat. In addition, this opens up the possibility of using it in the weekend toy as above, and also reduces the risk of it not fitting in the next daily-driver car if I do have to change.
So, the questions are:-
1) What are the professionals thoughts on using the car seat in the weekend toy, and at what age it's safe to take J out in it (i.e. front-seat).
2) What brands / models of Group-1 seat are more flexible in their fitting from car to car?
3) Is it worth looking for a seat that will fit via both ISOFIX and belt, or just go for a belt-fitted seat and take care I do it correctly each time?
Since the airbag probably cant be deactivated, then roll the front seat as far back as possible.
2. usually the reputable ones: Britax, Maxi Cosi, Besafe (just one forward facer)make seats that fit in a large range of cars.
If no seats from these companies are suitable: Then try Cybex or Kiddy. I would go for one with a harness first and foremost. But if none of those work....then shield seat.
3. For me personally, if I had a "toy car" with two seats that the child would be transported in just a one digit number of times a year, I would go for a belted one and make sure that it is correctly fitted and correctly used. isofix seats are heavier and more exspensive. they are also easier to install. If there is no isofix in that front seat anyway (most cars don´t have it there), then spending extra money on an isofix seat is a waste of money.
Engineer1 said:
redchina said:
We got an old hand me down,
Didnt look at safety stats
Didnt look at new ones
Wont either
Happy.
I'd buy second hand on almost every other bit of baby kit other than the car seat and the matress. How do you know the seat hasn't taken all the abuse it camn take?Didnt look at safety stats
Didnt look at new ones
Wont either
Happy.
Our 2 are in front facing. It's far more comfortable for them and makes it far easier for the front passenger to interact with them. They are far happier travelling whilst able to look around rather than staring at a seat back.
They even come out regularly in the TVR. I must be a terrible parent.
My daughter is 18 months old and I'm buying her a Recaro Young Sport seat. She has Beckwith Weidermann syndrome so she grows faster than the other kids, so the Recaro is perfect in my eyes. It's a lot bigger than other seats I tried and will do her up to 12 years old (in her case that could be 10 years old depending on how much her disorder affects her).
lenats31 said:
2. usually the reputable ones: Britax, Maxi Cosi, Besafe (just one forward facer)make seats that fit in a large range of cars.
3. For me personally, if I had a "toy car" with two seats that the child would be transported in just a one digit number of times a year, I would go for a belted one and make sure that it is correctly fitted and correctly used.
Thanks Lena.3. For me personally, if I had a "toy car" with two seats that the child would be transported in just a one digit number of times a year, I would go for a belted one and make sure that it is correctly fitted and correctly used.
Ref. 1 - I'd be surprised if my car came up on the fitting lists (just checked the big 2 - no joy)...might just be a case of take it somewhere and try a couple...
HereBeMonsters said:
Anyone getting this new Maxi-Cosi isofix base that can do forward and backward facing? We're getting the Pebble to go with it..
Do you mean the Maxi Cosi Two Way Pearl? You dont need the babyseat for that one. If its the one that I mention, then it is approved for the new I-Size regulation
I'm in the process of being matched to adopt a little girl.
She's a really tiny little scrap - 5.6kg at 11 months - so she'll presumably be in an 0+ seat for quite a while as I understand it's weight not age that matters there.
Now the tricky bit: obviously, she needs to be rearfacing - it's safer for all kids and especially this one as her head's pretty wobbly. I drive a Sprinter van - it's got a normal front passenger seat, which I can't reach to get a child in and out of, and then in the rear there is a 'tip and fold' seat - does anybody know if these will safely take a rearfacing car seat setup? If I have to I will use the front passenger seat (no airbag) but I don't want to not be able to get her in and out myself - there will be another pair of hands available (personal assistant) but I prefer not to use them unless I really need to.
She's a really tiny little scrap - 5.6kg at 11 months - so she'll presumably be in an 0+ seat for quite a while as I understand it's weight not age that matters there.
Now the tricky bit: obviously, she needs to be rearfacing - it's safer for all kids and especially this one as her head's pretty wobbly. I drive a Sprinter van - it's got a normal front passenger seat, which I can't reach to get a child in and out of, and then in the rear there is a 'tip and fold' seat - does anybody know if these will safely take a rearfacing car seat setup? If I have to I will use the front passenger seat (no airbag) but I don't want to not be able to get her in and out myself - there will be another pair of hands available (personal assistant) but I prefer not to use them unless I really need to.
lenats31 said:
I´m happy to inform you that by the end of this year (approx) Australians can buy Australian made car seats with isofix as the system has been written into the standard (after more than a decade of debating and voting on it)
Thanks Lena - got your pm too. I've passed on the news to others and we all wait for the new seats! Apparently they will still have a top tether though, as the seat backs will be made more flexible. (after more than a decade of debating and voting on it)BlackVanDyke said:
I'm in the process of being matched to adopt a little girl.
She's a really tiny little scrap - 5.6kg at 11 months - so she'll presumably be in an 0+ seat for quite a while as I understand it's weight not age that matters there.
Now the tricky bit: obviously, she needs to be rearfacing - it's safer for all kids and especially this one as her head's pretty wobbly. I drive a Sprinter van - it's got a normal front passenger seat, which I can't reach to get a child in and out of, and then in the rear there is a 'tip and fold' seat - does anybody know if these will safely take a rearfacing car seat setup? If I have to I will use the front passenger seat (no airbag) but I don't want to not be able to get her in and out myself - there will be another pair of hands available (personal assistant) but I prefer not to use them unless I really need to.
Congrats She's a really tiny little scrap - 5.6kg at 11 months - so she'll presumably be in an 0+ seat for quite a while as I understand it's weight not age that matters there.
Now the tricky bit: obviously, she needs to be rearfacing - it's safer for all kids and especially this one as her head's pretty wobbly. I drive a Sprinter van - it's got a normal front passenger seat, which I can't reach to get a child in and out of, and then in the rear there is a 'tip and fold' seat - does anybody know if these will safely take a rearfacing car seat setup? If I have to I will use the front passenger seat (no airbag) but I don't want to not be able to get her in and out myself - there will be another pair of hands available (personal assistant) but I prefer not to use them unless I really need to.
Most of the time you'll be using the infant carrier you'll probably find they're coming in and out of the vehicle in the car seat. If it is a struggle to get up high enough to lift them out of the car seat then you can always pull the child seat out and then lift your baby out to go in the pushchair.
Even with something like a Sprinter it'd be worth trying something like the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with the Isofix base - even though you won't use the Isofix the base will take an adult seat belt to hold it in position and it's a LOT easier taking the infant carrier off the top of it, leaving the base in place, and there's no messing about trying to thread the seatbelt round every time you put the seat in.
You're correct about weight being the main factor, so long as her head is contained in the shell of the seat as well. Our son was 98th %ile at that age and was still in his infant carrier till 14 months, so you should get plenty of use from it still!
Don't use the occasional rear seat - if it's not fixed solidly to the floor with a locking mechanism that has been impact tested, plus the backrest is also mechanically locked in position, I wouldn't risk it. Most of these seat installations are barely tested apart from a basic pull test - nothing dynamic. Not much of a view unless you've got windows in the side lol
Adrian E said:
BlackVanDyke said:
I'm in the process of being matched to adopt a little girl.
She's a really tiny little scrap - 5.6kg at 11 months - so she'll presumably be in an 0+ seat for quite a while as I understand it's weight not age that matters there.
Now the tricky bit: obviously, she needs to be rearfacing - it's safer for all kids and especially this one as her head's pretty wobbly. I drive a Sprinter van - it's got a normal front passenger seat, which I can't reach to get a child in and out of, and then in the rear there is a 'tip and fold' seat - does anybody know if these will safely take a rearfacing car seat setup? If I have to I will use the front passenger seat (no airbag) but I don't want to not be able to get her in and out myself - there will be another pair of hands available (personal assistant) but I prefer not to use them unless I really need to.
Congrats She's a really tiny little scrap - 5.6kg at 11 months - so she'll presumably be in an 0+ seat for quite a while as I understand it's weight not age that matters there.
Now the tricky bit: obviously, she needs to be rearfacing - it's safer for all kids and especially this one as her head's pretty wobbly. I drive a Sprinter van - it's got a normal front passenger seat, which I can't reach to get a child in and out of, and then in the rear there is a 'tip and fold' seat - does anybody know if these will safely take a rearfacing car seat setup? If I have to I will use the front passenger seat (no airbag) but I don't want to not be able to get her in and out myself - there will be another pair of hands available (personal assistant) but I prefer not to use them unless I really need to.
Most of the time you'll be using the infant carrier you'll probably find they're coming in and out of the vehicle in the car seat. If it is a struggle to get up high enough to lift them out of the car seat then you can always pull the child seat out and then lift your baby out to go in the pushchair.
Even with something like a Sprinter it'd be worth trying something like the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with the Isofix base - even though you won't use the Isofix the base will take an adult seat belt to hold it in position and it's a LOT easier taking the infant carrier off the top of it, leaving the base in place, and there's no messing about trying to thread the seatbelt round every time you put the seat in.
You're correct about weight being the main factor, so long as her head is contained in the shell of the seat as well. Our son was 98th %ile at that age and was still in his infant carrier till 14 months, so you should get plenty of use from it still!
Don't use the occasional rear seat - if it's not fixed solidly to the floor with a locking mechanism that has been impact tested, plus the backrest is also mechanically locked in position, I wouldn't risk it. Most of these seat installations are barely tested apart from a basic pull test - nothing dynamic. Not much of a view unless you've got windows in the side lol
The rear tip and fold seat is very much fixed to the floor, and absolutely does lock in position so that's not totally ruled out. I'll grab a couple of photos tomorrow! Van does have windows - passenger vehicle - but the tiddler in question doesn't have great eyesight anyway so I reckon a mobile or something hung on the seat back will be the main entertainment source.Hi,
I'm looking at a Brixtax Trifix Isofix for my 10 month old daughter who is rapidly outgrowing her Stage 0 seat. i have an E60 BMW 550i LCi. It's a 2008 car with the ISOFIX base and third anchor behind the headrest so I'm presuming it'll fit, but there's no info on the website as to the vehicles it will fit to. Any help appreciated!
I'm looking at a Brixtax Trifix Isofix for my 10 month old daughter who is rapidly outgrowing her Stage 0 seat. i have an E60 BMW 550i LCi. It's a 2008 car with the ISOFIX base and third anchor behind the headrest so I'm presuming it'll fit, but there's no info on the website as to the vehicles it will fit to. Any help appreciated!
Thanks to the OP for helping out, makes a difference to have someone in the industry who understands the the safety points more than the consumer. Even though there'll be loads with real world experience of the day to day use of these
So, we've just bought a 2007 Legacy wagon with isofix and are buying our two seats through this site www.babyonthemove.co.nz
If you could recommend a choice for me that would be awesome.
Basically we're renting capsules for the first 6 months and then buying our seats when the twins are a bit bigger.
Cost isn't a problem as someone else is buying them, we had thought about going for recaro ones but if we're just paying for the name then there's not much point in spending the extra over something else.
So, we've just bought a 2007 Legacy wagon with isofix and are buying our two seats through this site www.babyonthemove.co.nz
If you could recommend a choice for me that would be awesome.
Basically we're renting capsules for the first 6 months and then buying our seats when the twins are a bit bigger.
Cost isn't a problem as someone else is buying them, we had thought about going for recaro ones but if we're just paying for the name then there's not much point in spending the extra over something else.
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