Car seats and 18 month gap between children

[Mung]

DD is still in her stage 1 car seat and DS has stage 2 (I think thats what they are called). A neighbour has offered to sell us their stage 2 car seat and I am not sure whether to buy it. It hasn't been in an accident, so its fine with regards to safety, but I was wondering whether I could get DS (2 years) the next stage car seat when DD grows out of her rear facing one (hopefully not before DS is 2.5).

What have you done with children with the same age gap?

[berolina]

We don't have this gap, but just to advise it's wise to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible (at the very least until 1 year or 20lb, whichever is the later). We are investigating for ds (2yo, a tiny 21lb, little brother imminent) one of those seats which can be rear- and front-facing.

[NAB3]

Bought new seats for every child. In fact we have 3 children and have bought 8 seats.

[Mung]

Thanks Berolina. I was going to keep DD in the seat until the latest possible moment. My concern is more with DS and him moving up to the next stage of seat. Nab3...your garage must be chocca block with old car seats .

[NAB3]

No. They have either been sent to the tip or passed on.

[LIZS]

If it is a Stage 2 (highback booster which restrains both child and seat with adult belt ) then it can only be used from 15kgs (33lbs)- normally from aged 3 1/2 minimum - and even then a 2yr old may fiddle with the adult belt buckle and get loose easily. There were a few of that style which ranged frm 10 1/2 kgs ish but those have largely been phased out since Which? tested them and said they were very unsafe. btw despite not being in an accident a 2nd hand seat may not be as safe as a new one since it may not fit your car well or coudl yet have been mishandled or aged and have a weakened structure.

[ProjectIcarusinhercar]

The next stage up is a high backed booster which is from 15kilos /4 years. It only uses an ordinary seat belt so you have the issues with them wriggling about and being able to undo it easily. I would want them both in the stage 1( forward facing 9-18kg (20-40lb)about 9 months to 4½ years as long as possible tbh.

I have a 2.3 year gap and have only just avoided having to by another one.

[professorplum]

I have an 18 month gap. There is no way ds would have been ready for his 3rd car seat when dd graduated out of her rear facing one. Dd has been in stage 2 for over a year and ds is still in his. I don't think he will be ready for stage 3 for at least 6 months. He is small though.

[berolina]

I like the look of this one

It's going to take ds forever to hit 18kg - he's only around 9.5-10kg now - but of course getting too long for his 0+, even if we didn't have ds2 on the way. I very much like the idea of being able to have him rear-facing until 13kg.

[WaynettaSlob]

Personally, if you can afford a new seat per child per stage, then do it......if not then at least ensure you can follow the guidelines. This site should be in everyone's favourites.

[kindersurprise]

We had this problem and bought one like this
which can be used with harness then later without.

Our DD was almost 3 before I could trust her to leave the seatbelt on and not wriggle about too much.

Saying that, we have bought a different seat for her now and use that one as a spare.