Child Seat Advice

[Adrian E]

BineG said:

Hi

I hope you will be able to help with our dilemma since the more seats we look the more confused we are.
We are looking for a rear facing seat for when our son will outgrow his Pebble. Currently at 6 months at about 75cm and 8kg. The car is an Alfa Romeo 156 SW which is pretty annoying since I never know if a car seat really doesnt fit or the manufacturer simply hasnt bothered to test it. It is a 2004 model so it comes with an Isofix.

Thank you

I'm sure you're not in any rush, but if he's consistent on weight gain he'll be able to stay in the Pebble for another year, unless his head is no longer contained in the shell - look in your red book and trace the line out from current %ile to get an idea.

In theory if a car doesn't appear on a fitting list produced by a child seat manufacturer then it's not approved for use in that car. Most child seat manufacturers won't have a never ending supply of vehicle shells to check fit, so they tend not to be retrospective. Some manufacturers are better than others at this, but I know our 02 and 04 cars never appeared in a fitting list, but I trial fitted them and was happy with the fit in both cases. The only difference was the angle the seat sat at in the car.

As above comment, check out the 2 way seat from Maxi cosi since you've got the base and can turn it round if he doesn't take to rear facing. Check out the Swedish test sites for results of the stricter rear facing seats - from memory they're referenced on the BeSafe web site. I like the quality of their seats (we have a high back booster of theirs) and I know friends with the rear facer who think it's excellent

[quote]Why rear racing? My two love the social interaction of forward facing - that outweighs ( for me ) the risks.

There are many more rear facing options now than there were even 2 or 3 years ago - they may not suit everyone, particularly on size grounds of getting the seat in the car but since most accidents are frontals it does make sense to consider them where you have the space and if you're prepared to pay for the seat.

[BineG]

Yes we also have the Family Fix base but we can sell it on for about the same amount we bought it for so thats not really a factor.
We have also been looking at Klippan Triofix and Britax MaxFix. I will check out also BeSafe, thanks. The problem is also that we pretty much have to specially order any rear facing seats so checking whether it fits into the car is very hard if not impossible.
We are not in a hurry but we would put him in a seat if we have it when hes ready for it.

[Adrian E]

We had to drive 70+ miles to get to a shop with a reasonable selection of seats we were interested in - ended up in Oxfordshire! Trial fitting is really the only way, but at least if you have to tour a few shops to check fit of all those you're interested in you can at least narrow it down by ruling out the ones you're not happy with

[lenats31]

BineG said:

Hi

I hope you will be able to help with our dilemma since the more seats we look the more confused we are.
We are looking for a rear facing seat for when our son will outgrow his Pebble. Currently at 6 months at about 75cm and 8kg. The car is an Alfa Romeo 156 SW which is pretty annoying since I never know if a car seat really doesnt fit or the manufacturer simply hasnt bothered to test it. It is a 2004 model so it comes with an Isofix.

Thank you

I have seen the Alfa Romeo 156

Here you go:
http://www.sikkerautostol.dk/sikkerautostols-autos...

http://www.sikkerautostol.dk/sikkerautostols-autos...

http://www.sikkerautostol.dk/sikkerautostols-autos...

[lenats31]

Irish said:

Why rear racing? My two love the social interaction of forward facing - that outweighs ( for me ) the risks.

Back went I wert lad we sat ent roof etc.

If one is older than the other, interaction would most likely have been better if the younger child was in a rearfacing seat. None of them will have to lean forwards in order to be able to see the other child as they would be facing one-another.

This is one more reason that rearfacing is safer than forward facing in the event of a crash.

There are mirrors for rearfacing children so parents and child can see each other.

Edited by lenats31 on Saturday 16th August 08:48

[HannsG]

I have Recaro Young Sport in both cars.

Perfectly happy with them

[Earthboundmisfit]

Hi Boobles,
Firstly let me say that I appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions regarding the safety of the most precious things in parent’s lives.
I have read through the first 3 pages or so and scanned through the rest but it seems like my question hasn’t already been asked. If it has and I’ve missed it, I do apologise.
I am purchasing a 2006 BMW E63 (630i) and was hoping for some advise regarding car seats for my little beauties. They are 10 month (9kg) and 3.5yrs (15.5kg) and on the test fit I struggled to get their existing seats in to the car. Ive been recommended a Britax Safefix plus or Britax duo buy another 6er owner for the little one but struggling to find a suitable car seat for older one. Although she is pretty light, she is tall for her age (just over 1m). The main issue I’m having is the bucket type rear seats.
I would prefer her to remain in the 5 point harness for as long as possible but so leaning towards the Recaro Young Sport as this is a group 123 high back bolster but with the harness. Gave her a quick trial sit in it and seems that the harness should work for a while yet judging by the height above her shoulders on the highest setting.

Any thoughts or advce would be greatly appriciated.

Thanks

[Devil2575]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could advise.

My wife and I need to change the family car. We have 2 children already, 3 and 5 both of whom will be in high backed boosters, but want the flexibility to accomodate a baby as well should the need arise. However i'd rather not get a people carrier as all of them look crap and tend to come with either diesel engines, which are unsuitable given our low annual milage, or small petrol engines which are slow. Yes I know about the 2.5T SMax but they're like hens teeth.
Are there any normal large cars out there that will accomodate 2 high backed boosters and a rearward facing baby seat or am I destined to end up driving a bloody van for the next few years?

I'd really rather avoid having to trawl round used car dealerships with cars seats, at least until I have an idea of what might work.

[lenats31]

Devil2575 said:

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could advise.

My wife and I need to change the family car. We have 2 children already, 3 and 5 both of whom will be in high backed boosters, but want the flexibility to accomodate a baby as well should the need arise. However i'd rather not get a people carrier as all of them look crap and tend to come with either diesel engines, which are unsuitable given our low annual milage, or small petrol engines which are slow. Yes I know about the 2.5T SMax but they're like hens teeth.
Are there any normal large cars out there that will accomodate 2 high backed boosters and a rearward facing baby seat or am I destined to end up driving a bloody van for the next few years?

I'd really rather avoid having to trawl round used car dealerships with cars seats, at least until I have an idea of what might work.

There is Peugeot 308SW (not the 2014 model) - the one with 3 seperate seats in the back. Look for those with metalic roof rails and glass roof (there are two versions of this car). Those are the ones that have 3 seperate seats. All three backseats are full size. It has a decent sized boot as well.

4 sets of isofix. Alle three back seats and the front passenger seat - all with isofix and top tether point

Yeah I know it´s French.

Edited by lenats31 on Tuesday 26th August 18:29

[havoc]

We're looking for a cheap-but-safe Group-1 seat as a backup seat - short-haul holidays, grandparents visiting etc.

Have been trying to find a good 2nd-hand seat for a couple of months but with no success, so considering new but at the budget end - what could you guys recommend for <£80. Open to 'unknown' brands if they've got good test results.

(On that subject, who make Fisher Price's new range - "Safe Voyage" seems to be their Gp-1. Ditto Mothercare's car seats)

Thanks,

Martin.

[boobles]

havoc said:

We're looking for a cheap-but-safe Group-1 seat as a backup seat - short-haul holidays, grandparents visiting etc.

Have been trying to find a good 2nd-hand seat for a couple of months but with no success, so considering new but at the budget end - what could you guys recommend for <£80. Open to 'unknown' brands if they've got good test results.

(On that subject, who make Fisher Price's new range - "Safe Voyage" seems to be their Gp-1. Ditto Mothercare's car seats)

Thanks,

Martin.

Think it's ok for mt to step in on this one....

First of all, what make/model of car is the seat intended for as this info is vital?
Secondly, never buy second hand child seats unless you are buying it from a family member or friend who can vouch that it has never been involved in a car accident. Once you have told us the make/model of car it's going in, sure others on here will be able to help.

Edited by boobles on Thursday 28th August 07:16

[Captain Answer]

Wondering if anyone can advise on the best point to move my 3 year old from Group 1 setup of his Recaro Young Sport to Group 2?

He's 15.6 KG now so over the "minimum" weight for group 2 but still fitting the Group 1 setup, but come winter when he gets his bigger coat on I doubt he will fit the straps so maybe then would be the best time?

[Adrian E]

Captain Answer said:

Wondering if anyone can advise on the best point to move my 3 year old from Group 1 setup of his Recaro Young Sport to Group 2?

He's 15.6 KG now so over the "minimum" weight for group 2 but still fitting the Group 1 setup, but come winter when he gets his bigger coat on I doubt he will fit the straps so maybe then would be the best time?

Keep him in the group 2 setup until his weight is nearer 18kg, unless or until his height means the straps are not sitting at the right position.

For winter it's strongly recommended not to put kids in car seats with their winter gear on - it all acts to prevent an accurate fit of the harnesses and allows more free movement before they can do their job. If you're putting kids into a cold car and they complain (mine seems to hate being hot so it's never an issue for me) then keep a blanket in the car to go over them once they're safely strapped in, then they can chuck it off once the car's warmed up.

[havoc]

boobles said:

Think it's ok for mt to step in on this one....

First of all, what make/model of car is the seat intended for as this info is vital?
Secondly, never buy second hand child seats unless you are buying it from a family member or friend who can vouch that it has never been involved in a car accident. Once you have told us the make/model of car it's going in, sure others on here will be able to help.

Edited by boobles on Thursday 28th August 07:16

2nd hand - fair point.

What car - varied - currently grandparents have an i40 tourer, an 07 Mazda 3 and a 62 plate Scirocco. Plus immediate requirement is to take to Spain in a month - hire cars are always pot luck. So a belted fit is probably safest...is there much fitment risk with belt-fit car seats?

Thanks again.

[boobles]

havoc said:

2nd hand - fair point.

What car - varied - currently grandparents have an i40 tourer, an 07 Mazda 3 and a 62 plate Scirocco. Plus immediate requirement is to take to Spain in a month - hire cars are always pot luck. So a belted fit is probably safest...is there much fitment risk with belt-fit car seats?

Thanks again.

Because there are so many different cars for one child seat to fit into, it's best to go on to these "fit finder" sites & type in all the different cars to see if any will fit all these cars. I will be surprised if you find one seat to fit in so many difderent cars though.

[Adrian E]

havoc said:

Plus immediate requirement is to take to Spain in a month - hire cars are always pot luck. So a belted fit is probably safest

Unless you're hiring from rent-a-wreck a hire car is going to be guaranteed to have Isofix on at least 2 rear seat positions and probably the front passenger seat too. It takes the guess work and uncertainty out of fitting and you're more likely to get an acceptable fit with Isofix in any vehicle than you are to get around an issue like buckle crunch if the belt restrained seat is genuinely incompatible with the vehicle presented by a hire company

[Captain Answer]

Adrian E said:

Keep him in the group 2 setup until his weight is nearer 18kg, unless or until his height means the straps are not sitting at the right position.

For winter it's strongly recommended not to put kids in car seats with their winter gear on - it all acts to prevent an accurate fit of the harnesses and allows more free movement before they can do their job. If you're putting kids into a cold car and they complain (mine seems to hate being hot so it's never an issue for me) then keep a blanket in the car to go over them once they're safely strapped in, then they can chuck it off once the car's warmed up.

Ok thanks, I will look into getting him a blanket for the car then. What's a good way to check the straps are correctly sat?

[Adrian E]

Captain Answer said:

Ok thanks, I will look into getting him a blanket for the car then. What's a good way to check the straps are correctly sat?

It varies by maufacturer so check the instruction manual - some say to have the harnesses coming through the shell above the shoulder, others just below. What you don't want is for the harness to be way down behind his back.

With the level set correctly, a finger or 2 should fit between the shoulder pad and body without any pinch points.

[havoc]

Adrian E said:

havoc said:

Plus immediate requirement is to take to Spain in a month - hire cars are always pot luck. So a belted fit is probably safest

Unless you're hiring from rent-a-wreck a hire car is going to be guaranteed to have Isofix on at least 2 rear seat positions and probably the front passenger seat too. It takes the guess work and uncertainty out of fitting and you're more likely to get an acceptable fit with Isofix in any vehicle than you are to get around an issue like buckle crunch if the belt restrained seat is genuinely incompatible with the vehicle presented by a hire company

Really?

Our gp-1 ISOFIX rear facer doesn't fit in a bunch of new cars due to the Audi style ISOFIX roll between the cushion and the bite line. Real problem finding a new car for the missus, thinking we'll have to get a new car seat...

[Adrian E]

Isofix is intended to be to all intents and purposes 'universal' - it isn't, but it should be feasible to fit the majority of seats to the vast majority of cars. What seat/car combo are you struggling with?

We've just bought a new-ish Audi with the little plastic clips you pull off to reveal the Isofix and the bars you're clipping onto are a little lower than feels natural, but the seat clips in fine once lined up