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Carseat bollocks. Who's imported a seat? (3.5yrs/18kg)

16 replies

nutmegel · 20/01/2016 13:33

The time has come for me to find a new seat for my LO, she is 3.5yrs and approaching 18kg. Why the feck does our country not think we need to use a 5 point harness beyond this size?!?!

How many of you have imported a seat and are currently using it in the UK?

The Diono RXT keeps appearing on a lot of threads I've read online but after speaking to Diono I now know its illegal to use it as it doesn't meet our rulings - it appears to be a product that would keep my child much safer until 40kg but by using it I would be breaking the EU/UK law. Useful. They are releasing a UK equivalent soon but it will only go to 25kg rather than the US one which goes to 40kg - I emailed to ask why they've reduced their safety standard/design for UK children, it took 3 days to get a reply and it just said 'different markets require different products'. Angry I've read alot about other countries having much higher weight limits too not just the US. Why are we so behind?!?!

I do actually know of the Advansafix which doesn't fit my car and the 2 way Elite which does - the only 2 options which go up to 25kg in the UK as far as I know (please tell me I'm wrong) - It appears that if I want a 5 point harness even to 25kg I only have one choice...unless I buy a new car (mines not that old either!) and beyond 25kg it just doesn't exist.

c'mon Mumsnetters - share your cleverness - what have you got?

OP posts:
BaBaBaBoomBoom · 20/01/2016 13:35

I've got the two way elite for dd and love it, ERF, 5 point harness. The tethers are a pain though..

moggle · 20/01/2016 15:01

There are quite a few rear facing seats that go up to 25kg (and have a 5 point harness), would that be an option?

dementedpixie · 20/01/2016 15:04

Does that age of child really still need a 5 point harness?

AliceMum09 · 20/01/2016 17:10

I'd say a child of 3 1/2 still needs to be in a harness. High backed boosters only keep a child safe if they sit up straight, sit still and don't decide to keep leaning out of the seat or putting their arm over the top of the seatbelt. My son was just four when he moved to a high backed booster and he was a bit of a nightmare at the beginning once he realised the freedom of movement that the seatbelt allowed him compared to a 5-point harness!

Also a child's skeleton and pelvis isn't sufficiently developed for them to be safe using the seatbelt until they are about 4 1/2, regardless of weight.

AliceMum09 · 20/01/2016 17:12

Oh and yes, in the uk the only forward facing 5-point harness options past 18kgs are the Britax Advansafix and the Britax Two Way Elite. There are plenty of rear facing options though, my daughter will be 4 soon and has a rear facing Britax Multi Tech II (she's only 13kgs though, so no danger of her having to forward face in a high backed booster until she's at least 7!)

BreakingDad77 · 21/01/2016 12:45

I dont know if these documents help with car seats, but at least set out some reasons for designs, the biggest problem appears to be wrong seat choice for the age, though they also I see they believe more adjustable straps means higher chance of non compliance in fitting properly so attempt to simplify the designs. which puts the owness on manufacturers in line with customer demand.

www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/esv/esv23/23ESV-000431.PDF

This might provide some information that may or may not help.

www.roadsafetyobservatory.com/Review/10074

bringmelaughter · 20/02/2016 19:31

The besafe izi plus rearfaces and is harnessed to 25kg.

OMGtwins · 20/02/2016 20:46

www.securatot.co.uk/axkid-minikid-red we have this one, goes up to 25kg and is rear facing. Kids (twins) love them, though there isn't much space left in the car (skoda octavia) with 2 of them in there anymore....

captaincake · 21/02/2016 10:52

If you don't want one of the many rear facing harness to 25kg options how about the diono radian 5 or britax traveller plus?

babyblabber · 16/03/2016 11:33

What height is she?

My DD is 3 and 9 months and very skinny but her head is very nearly at the top of the Elite so I'm going to have to move her.

I bought the Advansfix for my son but then it was recalled so we went with a high backed booster. That was two years ago, has it been re-released? And improved? If I remember correctly it failed the which safety tests when used with a seatbelt rather than the 5 point harness.

I was just going to get her a high back booster (actually I have one but it's non isofix, maybe put the 6 year old in that and her in the bigger, isofix one).

But does the child's weight affect safety? Not sure of her weight but she's light!

Sorry OP, am kind of hijacking!

Nan0second · 16/03/2016 11:40

Just to reassure you that it's safe until their eyes are level with the top of the seat!

tomatoIzzy · 16/03/2016 11:59

Does that age of child really still need a 5 point harness? yes

There is another option and that is to make your booster safer with one of these. Belt up safety strap. We have one that I will use when my son outgrows his 5 point harness. My 6 year old was using it from 5 when he outgrew his harness, but he is small and light.

We have a Britax evolva in my car (have you tried that?) and a 3 way in my husbands. He still fits well in both and he is tall and chunky.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 17/03/2016 14:07

Blatant place marking as dd is almost 18 kilos.

Currently in a britax 1-2-3 evolva, so easy enough to take the straps out for her.

But she can sit still for about 3 seconds without the straps...

She has just turned 3. Very tall. Not fat (not skinny either. Decent shape, just a lot of her!)

The 1-2-3 is supposed to last until she is 12? Haha. It's in the top headrest position now!

AliceMum09 · 17/03/2016 23:18

The headrest on the Evolva will go up higher once you have removed the harness.

tomatoIzzy · 18/03/2016 11:52

I was going to say, the headrest goes much higher once you take off the straps.

My son is at the top headrest with the harness. I was going to say also that being "almost" 18kg can last a very long time. Once they get to 3 1/2 their growth slows down. Having said that I haven't weighed Mr since he reached 15kg. He might already be 18kg but I doubt it. My children average 18kg after they are 4.

poocatcherchampion · 18/03/2016 18:47

Britax max way and hi way also go up to 25kg.

My just 4yo is almost 18kg and we are coming to terms with switching her around in dh car - she travels in it rarely but seems too small to be ff and not harnessed.

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