Isofix

[Lostinspace1]

I am struggling to understand the basics regarding isofix and carseats so would be hugely grateful if someone could explain something.

We have isofix points already in the car so we will presumably be able to get a decent car seat for babies around 9kg to 15kg that can be held in place without getting an additional base.

What I don't understand is that do we need to get a base anyway if we need a car seat from birth?? Or can these be fixed to the integrated isofix points.

I swear they make it impossible to find this information on purpose!

[cornflakegirl]

You buy a car seat with a base, and the base fits to the isofix points. The car seat then clicks into the base.

[Lostinspace1]

ooohhhh....so you have to get an base even if you have integrated isofix points in the car? So the point of isofix is to enable you to fix the base in the car, followed by the seat?

The fog of ignorance is possibly lifting...

[CokeFan]

That's right. The base fits into the isofix points (there's usually a "leg" that braces it on the floor of the car as well) and then you clip the baby car seat onto the base. It's really quick once you get the hang of it and IMO much easier than faffing with a seatbelt.

[Lostinspace1]

Thank you both!!!! God, how stupid do I feel...

[AliceMum09]

You get bases with infant carrier car seats purely for convenience - it is quicker to click the infant carrier on and off the base than to have to strap the seatbelt round the seat each time.
Group 1 seats (the 9kg-18kg ones) do not generally have a base, because you leave them fixed in the car the whole time.
You do not have to have an infant carrier for a newborn. There are seats which cover birth to 4 years, some of these you turn to face forward at 13kgs, others allow you to keep your child rear-facing right up to 18kgs (which is much safer, and common practice in Sweden).
ISOFIX is not safer than using a seatbelt to fix a base or car seat into the car. It is just a simpler method of fixing a seat in. My car has ISOFIX, I have 3 children and have never used an ISOFIX seat. They tend to be more expensive and I am perfectly capable of reading an instruction manual and fitting a seat with the seatbelt!