Would you use a 4yr old pram and car seat for 2nd baby?

[justbeingmummy]

I still have my travel system from my first DC and am wondering whether the car seat that came with it will still be useable for my 2nd DC due in April? It is in perfect condition and not ever been in a crash or anything but Im wondering if the regulations change and if it will still be ok?

Many thanks x

[maxpower]

I will be - DC2 due in 2 weeks!

[Helzapoppin]

Course I would! I will be when next DC arrives in August (fingers crossed....)
I'm using a 34 year old cot as it was DH's...

[victoriah3]

Definitely as long as they were still safe. I bought all 2nd ahnd stuff anyway. Times of austerity.....

[sethstarofbethlehemsmum]

of course I would!
or rather, am.

[justbeingmummy]

Thanks ladies, I really cant afford a brand new one but obviously want DC to be safe. I will be using my old cot, pram, clothes etc. but was just wondering about car seat regulations because I thought they updated them all the time and didnt know if my one would still be considered 'safe' within the guidelines. x

[sazm]

depends what carseat it is,if theres a safer one out now i would buy a new one.

[justbeingmummy]

That was my thinking Sazm but not sure where I would find out? x

[BertieBottlesOfMulledWine]

The british standard hasn't changed in the last 4 years, so it should be fine - the only other way to check would be to go to a shop and see if there is a newer model out.

Legal standard info stuff here

[wolfhound]

Yes, of course it will be safe - as long as you know it hasn't been in a crash or fall. Plus the advantage that you already know how to fit it and use it correctly. We will be using 4yo car seat for DC3 when he arrives next summer, and s/he'll be the 3rd to use it. I will buy him/her a new cot mattress because I think there are genuine safety concerns about that, but there is no problem whatsoever with another baby (or two) having sat in a car seat. Congratulations on pg, by the way.

[justbeingmummy]

Thanks Bertie I have looked on the Babies R Us website and they are still selling the travel system with the car seat so I think it must be ok.

Thanks also Wolfhound, this baby has been a long time in the waiting cant believe its finally all real! Your right about the mattress thing so will also be doing that but have decided to stick with the travel system and save ourselves £300!

The next problem is I cant find the instruction manual for the car seat and base and Ive forgotten how it fits lol, have contacted Graco who have told me its on their website but one it wont open and two I dont have a printer to download it

[BertieBottlesOfMulledWine]

You probably need to download adobe reader to view it - it's free :) You shouldn't need to print it off.

Or look on youtube - kiddicare often do videos on how to fit various car seats and bases.

[FessaEst]

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that car seats should not be used longer then 5 years - something to do with the foam.

[booyhohoho]

i did, yes.

[RockinRobinBird]

I'll be using DD's car seat with this one next year. It'll be 3.5 years old then. Never occurred to me not to use it.

[justbeingmummy]

I tihnk its just me and my constant over worrying, Im glad you are all doing the same as it will save me some money for other things but just needed the reassurance.
Graco are sending me a new manual in the post so its all good, just got to get it out of storage now! Lol x

[TruthSweet]

Depends if it was new when purchased (check date of manufacture of seat - might be a clock date or a grid with a dot) and if it has been stored some where with a fairly constant temp (not an outhouse or garage where it can get v hot/v cold).


If the date of manufacture is 5 years ago or more then I really wouldn't use the seat - plastic degrades with time, and whilst here in the UK you can use any seat as long as it meets 44.03 (which was brought in in 1997 IIRC), in the US all seats are tested and have an expiry date stamped on them, which varies from 5-9 years depending on the type of seat and the construction/materials used in the seat. Here is a blog post from Graco explaining why.

Also, don't wash the straps as soaking them in water removes the fire retardant chemicals. Wipe down with a damp cloth only and check the manual to see if you can wash the seat cover or just wipe down.

[sazm]

i've never used one twice,only because i have always had to change my buggy to suit (needed a single then double) and i like it to fit on the buggy.
have a wee look at the which website to see if they have tested it,that will tell you how it compares to other newer models.

also check it fits in your car ( if you have changed cars)

i had a graco seat for my dd and it was fab,we had the base and it was SO easy to click in and out same with the buggy,only thing i did find was my dd's head fell forwards in it so we had to change it.was a good wee seat though x

[mousymouse]

I did, dd is a year now and we will soon be getting the second carseat out of storage (and the baby seat will be going in for a possible no 3 in a couple of years).

[sazm]

so long as its under 5/6yrs old its fine,if its older than that i wouldnt use it as it does tell you in the usel manual that the plastic/etc weakens with time,and may no longer be safe.