Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Not brave enough for AIBU but...

27 replies

DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 15:35

Would it be really reckless of me to forward face a 13 month old in a Joie stages occasionally?

We currently have an isize spin seat and I need to buy a 2nd car seat for DH's car that will also be used occasionally by family while they look after DS twice a week. DS is 98th centile so a big boy. I need a car seat that will be straightforward to move between cars and saw Joie Stages recommended, but when I watched an installation video it looks horrendously complicated to fit it rear facing and I dont think my mum would manage it.

I know extended rear facing is recommended and in an ideal world I would buy 3 good seats and keep them permanently installed in every car he is going to be in, but that just isnt practical.

What does everyone else do for extra car seats for family to use? I'd really welcome some recommendations of suitable seats that are quick and easy to move between cars! Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 18:38

Bump?

OP posts:
DownWhichOfLate · 21/01/2020 18:45

Sorry but I wouldn’t. Though I have no idea what your alternative would be, so I’m no help really! My 13 month old was still in an isofix car seat which clipped in and could be used without the base but with a safety belt inother cars, still rear facing.

PurpleGoose · 21/01/2020 19:00

I really wouldn't forward face so young - it's 500x safer to rear face, because their pelvis and spine aren't developed enough to take the impact of a crash.

The UK car safety group on Facebook have lots of advice about different seats and their ease of use.

I can only speak from my experience: we have the Nuna rebel plus - it is a 360° spin, up to 18.5kg rear facing or forward facing which is roughly up to 4yrs old. It fits via iso fix and is fitted the same whether its forward or rear facing. We switch it between 4 different cars, no major issues yet and we're 2 years into use.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Behaviour & development Families
Morgan12 · 21/01/2020 19:02

Everyone will say no but do what works for you.

My DS is 18 months and forward faces because he literally had a meltdown when rear facing. Making himself sick with crying etc.

Original poster
DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 20:39

Thanks for all the points of view. I'm a member of the car seat advice facebook page but it's not really helping narrow down my choices! I know rear facing is safer. We have him rear facing in his I-spin 360 and will keep him that way. It's such a heavy seat though and awkward to fit and my mum is 4ft11 and physically couldn't manage fitting it so need something lighter which means no isofix.

I'll look up the Nuna Rebel, but ideally I cant spend a lot of money on it, was looking at less than £100. Maybe it's impossible Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 20:41

It's £350! Blush way more than I have available to spend on an occasional use second car seat...

What does everyone else do in this situation?! Surely not everyone has an expensive isofix seat!

OP posts:
OhNoMyCheds · 21/01/2020 20:48

My DD is in the nuna rebel but faces forward. I would prefer her to be rear facing but she is another one who has meltdowns going rear facing. In my car (less regularly used) I have a britax seat from my SIL.

alohamore · 21/01/2020 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 21:06

@alohamore mainly the weight. Joie 360 is 13kg and stages is 8kg. My mum physically couldn't lift an isofix seat and manoeuvre it to fit it properly. Also I dont have the funds to spend £200+ on a seat that would only be used for a short journey twice a week max.

@OhNoMyCheds how old is your DD?

OP posts:
foobio · 21/01/2020 21:17

I find the joie stages very straightforward to install rear facing, we often take it in and out. It's basically the same as any infant carrier with the waist part over the front (but child sits on it) and the cross part around the back. Can you try it out somewhere before ruling it out?

Original poster
DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 21:23

@foobio I literally just watched the official Joie installation video (I'd previously watched another youtube video of someone installing it) and it actually does look ok to install. Easier too because DS wouldnt need the infant insert replaced after fitting the seatbelt. Good to know you find it easy in real life!

OP posts:
FairfaxAikman · 21/01/2020 21:24

Joie stages is very easy to rear face.

As an alternative what about getting a 25kg from seat? With spare tethers in each vehicle you can fit them in five minutes (less with my AxKid Minikid).
They are pricier but last longer and one seat would do all cars.

lauryloo · 21/01/2020 21:38

The stages is dead easy to put in rear facing. Try it a few times and watch a few youtube videos

blackburner · 21/01/2020 22:09

Yes you would. It's illegal before 2 where I live now. Because of science and that.

Hercwasonaroll · 21/01/2020 22:13

Oh gosh some doomongers on here. The chances of an accident are slim.

Joie stages is relatively easy to rear face although your mum may struggle to reach round.

DownWhichOfLate · 21/01/2020 22:17

It’s not just accidents, it’s sudden braking etc as well.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 21/01/2020 22:23

DD has a Joie stages since DGS was 8mo, 50th centile. He was rear facing until 15 months, but then his legs got too long. He's now 2.5, and we expect it to last (with jetwashing) until he's into double figures. It's quite easy to move between my CR-V, DW's Auris and DD's Yaris.

noneedtoberudedear · 21/01/2020 22:29

I have the joie stages for my twins and I’ve had to front face them as their legs are too long rest facing. They are 15 months old.
How do people manage that issue and rear face? I’m honestly perplexed. My twins aren’t tall for their age either!

OhNoMyCheds · 21/01/2020 22:32

Sorry, DD is 19 mos now but been forward facing at least three mos

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 21/01/2020 22:36

Forward facing will be absolutely fine. My twins forward face because two rear facing seats wouldn't fit in my car and i couldn't afford to replace the car.

Original poster
DammitCarlton · 21/01/2020 22:40

I think I'll get a Joie Stages. Seems the best balance of ease of fitting and price while still rear facing!

OP posts:
ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 21/01/2020 22:44

Basically, while other people might say you should empty your bank account to rear face sometimes life isn't that simple and you should buy the best car seat you can afford and will suit your needs.

UhKevin · 21/01/2020 23:40

noneed They just fold or cross their legs.

images.app.goo.gl/pWz9EhePiRzA9FzH9

Your 15mos don’t need to ff. Smile

PurpleGoose · 23/01/2020 19:16

@dammitcarlton sorry, as you didn't specify price/restrictions in your post I assumed cost wasn't an issue, hence recommending the Nuna. Glad you've found a solution with the Joie stages (I'd also assume that the more you do it the easier and quicker it is to install)

@hercwasonaroll it's not just about the likelyhood of something happening that accounts for it's risk but also the severity of the consequences, which in this case are paralysis or death in a worse case scenario. I've not as yet (and hopefully never will) had a car accident with my children in the car and neither have the other people who drive them at different points. However between us we've been involved in 13 accidents since we've been driving, non of which have been our fault - 3 of them we were stationary!

@chewchew you could try one car seat in the back and one in the front if two won't fit in the back?

@disgracetotheychromosome they can either cross their legs or lay their legs up the back of the seat. My 3.5 year old still comfortably rear faces and she is on the tall side for her age; children are generally much more bendy than adults, so don't find the positions that that we see as uncomfortable a problem.

And yes I am 'one of those people' who thinks a rear facing car seat is a priority money wise - after mortgage and food I view it as the next thing to spend money on (to the extent that we started saving for car seats before TTC). I know this isn't always the most popular view, but I hold it as in the majority of circumstances it is soooo much safer to rear face(I say majority as yes there are sometimes individual circumstances that make it not so safe). Having witnessed the catastrophic fall out from a crash where the child almost certainly would have survived if they'd been rear facing I don't think I'll change my viewpoint anytime soon. Google "what happens to a forward facing child at 30mph crash" if you are interested in why I prioritise this way.

Right this has got rather long do I'll climb down off my soapbox now ☺️

NameChange30 · 23/01/2020 19:22

Hell no. I would never rear face a 13 month old.

I recommend the Britax Two Way Elite. We bought it as a spare seat for travelling because it's relatively light and compact to take on the plane. It's compatible with most cars. It's a 25kg seat so it will last absolutely ages (until DS is about 6). He is comfy in it. When it's rear facing you have to brace it against the seat in front and attach with tethers, but you can get extra tethers to have a set in each car (eg one for DH's car, one for your mum's car). Once you have fitted it a couple of times it's quick and easy. If you buy it from a specialist retailer they will show you how to do it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread