Child Seat Advice
Discussion
skip_1 said:
Does anyone know if the Maxi Cosi 2 way Pearl fits the family fix base or does it require the 2 way base? I am a bit confused as some retailers show the Pearl fitting the family fix base and other sources say it does not. We would be looking to use the Pearl seat rear facing for as long as possible.
It will only go on the 2-Way Fix baseaberdeeneuan said:
Hi all,
My eldest is still not at the top of the weight for his seat, it's a Britax Safefix plus. He's just over 13kg, but is getting quite long with it and getting quite tall in his chair. Is there a rule about how tall the kids should be for a chair or is it all about weight?
The instruction manual should give a recommnedation of when it is time to stop using the seat - usually related to the shoulder harness adjustment being too far down the back. In terms of head containment it's usually suggested that this group of seat is OK until the ears are level with the top of the seat frame. I'd strongly recommend checking the manual and if that's not clear then ring Britax and confirm with them.My eldest is still not at the top of the weight for his seat, it's a Britax Safefix plus. He's just over 13kg, but is getting quite long with it and getting quite tall in his chair. Is there a rule about how tall the kids should be for a chair or is it all about weight?
Weight is the key criteria for sure as the harnesses aren't tested beyond the maximum weight the class of seat is approved to. He's too light to move up and it will depend on where his head is in relation to Britax' recommendation as to whether you'll need to move to a taller group 1 seat or stick to what you have
phil_cardiff said:
Anyone know how to release the Maxi Cosi Pearl from the Familyfix base?!
Just fitted it and now can't get it out of the car!
Tilt the seat to the reclined position to make it easier to see - there's a button to push between the top of the support leg and the base of the Pearl. That should release the front of the seat and allow you to remove itJust fitted it and now can't get it out of the car!
boobles said:
Lord 
said:
said: Sorry to derail the thread but this seems like the perfect place to ask my question.
Is it legal to fit a child seat in a car using only a lap-belt?
Only if the child seat has been approved using just the lap belt, Otherwise a massive no no.Is it legal to fit a child seat in a car using only a lap-belt?
To know if it's approved look at the installation label on the seat itself - it must provide pictograms of each approved installation method, so you'll find Isofix and 3 point belt on the vast majority. I suspect since it became a requirement for all rear belts to be 3 point some years ago now you're unlikely to find new car seats coming onto the market for a dwindling market sector?
Adrian E said:
Does anyone still make a lap belt only approved seat? I recall Britax used to make one (Elite possibly, although memory isn't what it was?) but long since ceased production.
To know if it's approved look at the installation label on the seat itself - it must provide pictograms of each approved installation method, so you'll find Isofix and 3 point belt on the vast majority. I suspect since it became a requirement for all rear belts to be 3 point some years ago now you're unlikely to find new car seats coming onto the market for a dwindling market sector?
There is the Britax Prince & Britax Eclipse that does have 2 or 3pt approved installation. Both seats are still in production.To know if it's approved look at the installation label on the seat itself - it must provide pictograms of each approved installation method, so you'll find Isofix and 3 point belt on the vast majority. I suspect since it became a requirement for all rear belts to be 3 point some years ago now you're unlikely to find new car seats coming onto the market for a dwindling market sector?
Thanks for the quick replies, that’s what i thought. We have just bought a T4 California and only 1 rear seat as a three point belt.
I wonder how much the German polizie will frown upon me if i get creative with the welder......
edit - thanks boobles. its good to hear that there are some still in production. When we have our second child it means i dont have to get rid of the van
I wonder how much the German polizie will frown upon me if i get creative with the welder......
edit - thanks boobles. its good to hear that there are some still in production. When we have our second child it means i dont have to get rid of the van
Adrian E said:
phil_cardiff said:
Anyone know how to release the Maxi Cosi Pearl from the Familyfix base?!
Just fitted it and now can't get it out of the car!
Tilt the seat to the reclined position to make it easier to see - there's a button to push between the top of the support leg and the base of the Pearl. That should release the front of the seat and allow you to remove itJust fitted it and now can't get it out of the car!
160 said:
A mate is looking at the cybex sirona. Searching through here it seems to be a good chair last time I could see it mentioned a couple of years ago is this still the case?
Personally, I´m not a fan of this car seat for two reasons.- Seat shell is very short. Most children wont fit in it after they have turned 2½ years of age I´d say.
- It uses an impact cushion to restrain the child forward facing, which according to both research and parent experience (some that I have met) isn´t so safe after all.
Take a look at the Britax Dualfix if he wants one that swirvels. This seat is a bit taller, uses a 5 point harness rearfacing and forward facing, and it turns 360 degrees without removing the harness at all. With the Sirona, he will have to remove the 5-poit harness to turn it forwards.
lenats31 said:
160 said:
A mate is looking at the cybex sirona. Searching through here it seems to be a good chair last time I could see it mentioned a couple of years ago is this still the case?
Personally, I´m not a fan of this car seat for two reasons.- Seat shell is very short. Most children wont fit in it after they have turned 2½ years of age I´d say.
- It uses an impact cushion to restrain the child forward facing, which according to both research and parent experience (some that I have met) isn´t so safe after all.
Take a look at the Britax Dualfix if he wants one that swirvels. This seat is a bit taller, uses a 5 point harness rearfacing and forward facing, and it turns 360 degrees without removing the harness at all. With the Sirona, he will have to remove the 5-poit harness to turn it forwards.
lenats31 said:
As a matter of fact, yes. Several rearfacing seats group 1 and 1+2 can be installed with just a lapbelt. That said, I have yet to see a car with lapbelts. They are rather rare
Unfortunately our Mitsubishi is one such car :-( We're hoping to have baby number 3 soon so have been looking into our options for using the middle seat ... I think the choices are Britax Two Way Elite or Maxway, but as our front seats are a fair distance apart I think the TWE is out as we won't be able to brace it.FreeLitres said:
Boobles - Our little one has just turned 12 months and is getting too big for her Britax SHRII infant carrier.
What should I be looking at for the next phase? Should I still look for rear facing? Is there a best in class?
Car is a current model Passat.
Thanks!
Not Boobles, but here goes anywayWhat should I be looking at for the next phase? Should I still look for rear facing? Is there a best in class?
Car is a current model Passat.
Thanks!
Rearfacing is safer than forward facing. The best one is:
The one that ticks most boxes on your wishlist for features.
The one that you can install safely all the time
Fits your car
Fits the adults regarding space requirements.
Fits the baby in terms of weight. But more importantly, that the baby reaches the harness in it´s lowest position and the child can be safely secured in it. Going by minimum weight alone doesn´t cut it.
A list of UK retailers in your area can be found here:
www.rearfacing.co.uk
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