Spare car seat for guests. Suggestions please!

[theclockticksslowly]

I've recently got a car and have a Britax ERF seat for my 4 year old. She's little so should be in there for a while more.

It would be useful to get another seat so we can offer lifts to friends. My friends would be quite happy not to use a carseat for their 3 and 4 year olds for lifts places as 'they're only short journeys' but I'm very particular on using car seats at all times - I don't think it's worth the risk.

So I want to get a car seat that is suitable for age 3 and up ( approx 30lbs and up to as old as possible) which I can put in the car so we can offer lifts. any suggestions for a good carseat that's not too expensive?

Bonus points for:
Fits in a small car.
I do have isofix
5 point harness (up to a certain weight)
Light as will be taking it in and out
Do any decent car seats come apart to make storage easier? (Although the fact it comes apart might mean it's not that safe!)

[ieatchocolate]

I have a trunki for this purpose but I suspect you are looking for something more robust than that!

[dramallamakarma]

www.halfords.com/kids-zone/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/britax-romer-evolva-1-2-3-child-car-seat

I bought this for FILs car, it's not isofix but I found that's what bumped the price up & made them heavier.

DC1 has used it from approx 2 & it lasts until they no longer need one.

[Fandabidozy]

I'm also a stickler for car seat safety but I'm going to go against the grain here and say you'd be best just getting a decent High back booster unless you're spending a fortune on an extended harness to 25kg seat.

Standard, readily available seats only harness to 18kg and only adjust to a set height which (IME, I struggled with this for my small but long bodied 4yo) could be impractical for a lot of 3/4yo unfortunately. And unless you plan on weighing or asking their weight everytime you strap then in it could potentially do more harm than good.

[ICJump]

What about the mifold ? www.bestbuggy.co.uk/2016/08/mi-fold-the-grab-and-go-booster/

[BackAwayFatty]

Tesco recently had a high back booster for £20 down from £40

[NannyR]

I have a kiddy guardian for this purpose. It's a high back booster with an impact shield so it's suitable from about 9 months up to 12 years.

[BertieBotts]

Joie seats would be great for this purpose as they are inexpensive but get good safety ratings and work for several age groups.

Personally I'd be happy with a 3 or 4 year old in a high backed booster. But if you're really set on getting something harnessed, look into Joie.

[theclockticksslowly]

Thank you for the suggestions! Lots to consider! A high back booster would be ideal as it would be more flexible for different sizes. But one of my DD's friends who we are most likely to give regular lifts to is still a little way off the minimum weight limit as is my DD (15kg?) for HBB so a seat that is for both harnessed and switches to HBB is probably a must.

On the other hand, another of her little friends is extremely tall for her age so I can see it's going to be hard to get something that fits all.

It's more likely we'll have advanced notice of any lifts (going on days out etc) so as long as the mechanisms of the seat are fairly straight forward I don't mind changing it from a harnessed seat to a HBB.

Other dilemma, what to say to my DD when she says she wants to face the other way like her friend?! She's quite little for her age so I'd like to keep her RF for a while longer. My best answer so far is so they're facing each other and easier to talk to!

[BertieBotts]

Kids don't normally have the urge to face forwards like adults think they might do. I remember as a child I used to think going backwards was great fun!

Honestly it's quite unusual to get spare car seats in though, except for maybe a spare booster. Do your friends not have their own car seats you could just borrow? They would be asking you to break the law and risk a fine by carrying their children without any car seats at all.

[theclockticksslowly]

They do have their own car seats which I guess on a prearranged trip out I will just have to insist they have ready to use.

I don't want to sound all judgey but I have been quite surprised - with one friend in particular who when offering me and my DD a lift (I refused saying thanks but I have no car seat and I'm happy to walk) said it was alright my DD could use their car seat as for short trips like this (nursery run) they're happy to put their (then not quite 3 year old) in the front seat - apparently it's fine to use the front seat belt as a lap belt and put the diagonal part of the strap behind the seat so it doesn't rub the child's neck. I said I didn't think that sounded too safe actually.

They're certainly not the only parents/grandparents I've been surprised with who think nothing of not putting their child in a seat for short journeys.

Perhaps a folding travel type HBB would be best to have when her friends are bigger but for now just refuse lifts and explain I'm not comfortable or for pre arranged trips insist they have their seat ready to go in. It does seem like it would be a struggle to get something to fit all.

[NannyR]

The kiddy guardian I mentioned above would be perfect. I use it for when I take my nieces out, the toddler uses the impact cushion which is as safe or safer than a five point harness (I know some people don't agree, but I did a lot of research and I'm happy that it is safe). The five year old and ten year old use it as a high back booster.

[OutandIntoday]

You are right not to take other peoples dc without carseats. If there was a crash and the dc were injured it would be you, not their parents that would legally be responsible.