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When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

Multiple births

Car seats - fix onto buggy or not?

15 replies

TwinsinWoburn · 17/02/2015 08:02

Hi there,

How important is it to have car seats that strap straight onto the buggy, with little to no disruption to the babies (lasting up to 1yr)? As opposed to getting a car seat that more or less stays in the car (and can last them up to 4yrs old) but will not fit onto the buggy - therefore lifting them both out of their car seats for transfer and possible disruption?

I have been looking at the usual Maxi Cosi/Britax but have now been introduced to the Cybex Sirona.

Any preferences or recommendations welcomed.

Thanks!

OP posts:

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2015isgoingtobeBIG · 17/02/2015 11:02

I'm going to follow this although it's a bit late as I've chosen my buggy. We decided to not get a buggy that could take the cat seats mainly because we either didn't like the feel of the buggy (too cumbersome to move/navigate etc) or it wouldn't easily fit into the car....taking it to bits when I was also juggling getting two babies into/out of the car just upped the stress levels for me! We also decided that given in the early days the babies cannot stay in the car seats for very long, it was highly likely we'd have to disturb them anyway as any drive where we might also then use the buggy would be at least half an hour.

We may live to regret this choice and I already have a plan B of buying a cheap frame for a buggy that can take the car seats so will be interested to see what those with experience siggest

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ireallydontlikemonday · 17/02/2015 17:35

For me it was great because we don't have off street parking - meant I could unclip both of them and carry them inside together without having to put the buggy up or leave one in the car.

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Waffles80 · 17/02/2015 19:24

We did what 2015 did - we got the Baby Jogger City Mini, which is a side-by-side double; it folds brillaintly which was a key factor in our decision and easily goes through most doors.

A month in I decided I wanted something we could clip the car seats to, as I felt it would make quick visits / shopping easier. We didn't get round to it - and I also couldn't find one cheap enough (and was simply too tired to look properly). I sort of wish I had because shopping is a faff of driving / removing from car seats / strapping into buggy, often waking them up in the process, as is visiting the children's centre for weighing etc.

So many things with twins involve an inordinate amount of faff, I think having a travel system would've helped reduce this just slightly.

Sooo...maybe research one in advance, so when or if you device you need one, you can go ahead and get it? Lots and lots available second-hand on facebook selling groups.

Hope that helps!

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Twicethehugs · 17/02/2015 20:10

Hi, I thought first car seats usually only lasted around a year anyway, should be rear facing as long as possible. We didn't have seats that clipped into the pushchair, it was a bit of a faff at times but I didn't use the car all that much - usually walked with the pushchair as was more convenient and parks, community centre for groups, etc are all close enough. We did get a pushchair that would last a long time - after lots of research settled on a nipper 360 which is still going strong and they're aged two now.

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Stubbed · 17/02/2015 20:15

I think it's handy when very young (before head support is sorted) but once you can hold them on your hip one handed -3 or 4 months- the not really needed. I didn't have one for my first, I did for my second but tbh didn't use it much. We used the pushchair from home with a detachable carrycot instead.

I wouldn't bother if I have a third. Better spend the money on a decent folding buggy

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2015isgoingtobeBIG · 17/02/2015 20:21

Phew Waffles. You've made me feel better. We've ordered the exact same pushchair as you which I loved when we tried it. I'll have a look at cheap frames now whilst I'm still pregnant.
OP-I should have said the cost of getting a travel system for two was huge compared to a non-travel system buggy. For most systems, you have to buy an additional seat unit, an additional set of adapters for the car seat, an extender set and sometimes an extra carry cot (Or two!) because the pushchair isn't suitable from birth. I arranged a John Lewis free nursery advice session and they went through all the options most of which they have in store so you can actually try them along with the different car seats. It is a two hour appointment and worth every minute.

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TwinsinWoburn · 17/02/2015 21:43

Gosh, thank you for all your responses.

'2015...' I agree with you about them not being in the car seats for too long, this is one of my sticking points.

However, we already have the Bugaboo Donkey with the car seat extension (because we got it from JLP at an unbelievable price we couldn't say no!). However, I have since been told that I won't get in the JLP lift with the car seats extension, nor the toilets - useful. Repeated visits to the lighting department it is then!

I was all set to go with the Maxi Cosi or Britax car seats, which only last for around one year. But after a visit to Mothercare yesterday they introduced me to the Cybex which is apparently brand new and goes all the way through to around 4 yrs old, front and rear facing (meeting all safety requirements (although so new it is difficult to get thorough user reviews and safety tests)). This is a chunky seat though and therefore won't go anywhere near the buggy.

I'm leaning towards the Maxi Cosi clip in, for convenience and speed of transfer. Then upgrade in 12 months... By which time the clip-in buggy feature becomes redundant anyway!? I think the Cybex may be a bit too new for me - I'd like to see a good year of reviews and use first.

Any other thoughts?

OP posts:

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Waffles80 · 18/02/2015 05:41

I don't know anything about the Cybex seat, but Which? Consumer magazine advises against all multi-stage car seats on the basis they're not as safe as single stage ones.

I'm really pleased with our Maxicosi seats; we bought isofix bases too (which were hideously expensive), but make life so much easier.

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Booboostoo · 18/02/2015 06:48

I never used one as I couldn't carry the weight of the seat and the baby perhaps because of the CS birth.

Cybex are brilliant seats and top all the safety tests.

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2015isgoingtobeBIG · 18/02/2015 17:39

I've just looked and Which have a review for a Cybex seat that sounds similar to the one you've been shown but maybe is the model before as it was tested November 2013. They rate it as good (top 5-10 of ones they tested) with concerns being it is big, doesn't always fit in a car, and the child sometimes doesn't like the impact protection cushion bit and tries to remove it themselves. They suggest you need to try it in your car and with the child in it to see how they find the cushion bit. As you'll be looking to get two trying them both in your car sounds essential and also seeing if they fit on your donkey and how heavy it is to then push (imagining two children in it).
I'm stocking with my maxi cosi and have been given one by my cousin which I know hasn't been involved in any accidents and was barely used.

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 18/02/2015 17:45

Ive a friend who has the Cybex Sirona and it is tiny. My own DD is in a different ERF seat but at just three there is no way she would fit in the Cybex. Thabkfully friend and her OH are short so her little girl is too. Are you and your OH tall? If so id look for a different ERF seat.

We went with an infant seat that clipped to the stroller then a Britax 2way Elite which rear faces to four. The cost of both together was cheaper than the Cybex.

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 18/02/2015 17:47

Oh and the Cybex is new to Mothercare (who have finally caught onto the fact that rear facing past two is safer) - but it has existed for at least three years prior.

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2015isgoingtobeBIG · 18/02/2015 18:11

This was the Cybex Juno-fix2 so don't know how much different in size they are.

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Booboostoo · 19/02/2015 06:36

I have the Cybex Sirona and the Britax two way elite and they are completely different seats that meet different requirements. The Sirona is brilliant for a baby/toddler. The swivel function is genius, very easy to get the baby in there, the reclining positions perfect for babies, the seat takes up some space RF but not a lot but is extremely heavy. The Britax has limited and fixed recline (it is designed from 9kgs onwards I think), it takes up more space RF but is roomier and more suited to the younger child. It is good for talked children and lightweight enough for travel.

I don't think it will be easy to find a seat that works perfectly for all stages from birth to 4yo. I would budget two seats.

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TwinsinWoburn · 23/02/2015 13:48

Thank you all for your feedback, it's been really useful. Thanks for taking the time to add your view.

I have decided to go with the Maxi Cosi option so that I can transfer onto the buggy - hopefully with ease!?

I do like the look of the Cybex Sirona and have friends that think it's great, but will look back into this in a year's time.

I am now onto cotbeds…. I might be back for further advice!