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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU car seats - she's too small to fit in the right size

47 replies

christmasid2 · 06/08/2016 15:09

does anyone know what to do in this situation? I think i'm going to have to go up a size, she'll just get pressure rashes if I keep squeezing her in the one I've got.

She's still in her first car seat.....is it possible to get car seats for the next size up that can also be used as a buggy? ie with a set of wheels. I don't have a car so when I go on the train somewhere I need a travel system that is car seat and buggy so we can go in relatives' cars once we are at the destination if you see what I mean.

OP posts:
Tinklypoo · 06/08/2016 15:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rosae · 06/08/2016 15:14

We've recently done the car seat hunt and no. Beyond the first size they are too big to go on a buggy,they don't do them as a travel system. You'll have to get a car seat for the relatives car. It's really dangerous to squeeze her into a seat that is too small. How big is she(weight)? Is the top of her head starting to be over the top of the seat?

Magstermay · 06/08/2016 15:15

I don't understand if she's too small or too big?! If she's too big for the car seat you've got, you should change it as it's isn't safe.

I don't think the next size up will go on a buggy, although you may find some first size car seats are bigger than others. Realistically car seats are only meant to be used for short periods so you shouldn't be using it in place of a normal buggy anyway - a better option would be a car seat that you keep at your relatives to use when you're there.

Scarydinosaurs · 06/08/2016 15:16

How is she both too small and yet too big for the seat??

How is the obvious solution not just put her in a bigger seat?

Twig45 · 06/08/2016 15:17

Even if you can find one for now you are still going to have to think what you are going to do when she is bigger? What about buying a £25 asda or similar car seat to leave at your relatives house and go on train with a folding buggy?

Notso · 06/08/2016 15:19

Confusing post.
If she is too big then you need to buy the next size seat.
They don't fit on wheels. Could your relatives store a seat for you to use when you visit? My parents do this for DSIS.

If she is too small then don't buy the next size.

FasterThanASnakeAndAMongoose · 06/08/2016 15:20

Agree with pps. It's really dangerous to cram her into a seat that's too small. You're going to have to buy a seat to leave with your relative. You'd have to do this anyway eventually as they need car seats for a really long time. My 2 year old is on her 3rd, although the current one should see her through.

passmethewineplease · 06/08/2016 15:21

How old is DD? What's her weight?

As far as I'm aware only the baby seats go in to prams.

MrsBobDylan · 06/08/2016 15:26

Put her in the right size cat seat. Anything else is dangerous. Get your relatives to buy a car seat that stays in the car.

Floggingmolly · 06/08/2016 15:29

Too small to fit in the right size? Why isn't the one she actually fits in the right size?? Confused

RubbleBubble00 · 06/08/2016 15:29

If she's outgrown baby carrier then you need to buy a proper care at for relatives car and use your pram as a pram

FiveFullFathoms · 06/08/2016 15:33

So she's too big for the infant carrier car seat that you've been using as a travel system? Is that right? If she really is too big for her infant seat (as in she is over the weight limit and/or her head has reached the top) then you need to get a bigger one as the current seat won't protect her in an accident.

There are a few infant carriers that have a higher weight limit (most only go up to 13 kg) and are longer than some others. My petite DD was safely in hers until 20 months. But it's since been discontinued so that doesn't help you!

Travel systems for group 1 car seats don't exist as far as I am aware.

SaucyJack · 06/08/2016 15:49

You're just gonna have to buy a car seat to keep at your relative's house I'm afraid.

I don't doubt it'll be annoying for you, but you'd have to do it sooner or later. A travel system is never going to be a long term solution to your particular problem.

PaintedDrivesAndPolishedGrass · 06/08/2016 15:51

What is your AIBU Op?

HeddaLettuce · 06/08/2016 15:56

*she's too small to fit in the right size"

If she's too small for it, it isn't the right size.

The only buggy I know is the Orbit G2, it attaches a toddler size car seat to a buggy frame, but its not available for sale in the UK.

PotteringAlong · 06/08/2016 15:57

You don't need a travel system; you need a car seat to leave at your relatives house.

Original poster
christmasid2 · 06/08/2016 19:15

thanks for good replies
this is the website I've used, as recommended by gov.uk
www.childcarseats.org.uk/types-of-seat/
she's in a Group 0+ but it's started to be a squeeze even tho she's only 9 months and a fair bit under the maximum weight.....I think I've got confused by the whole thing cos it looks like if she's under the weight and age but over the height (and therefore squeezed), I need to go up to a Group 1.

We rarely need it so I should be able to get a replacement before we next go in a car.
I've definitely seen an advert for a travel system that goes from birth to at least toddler age, but as I can't afford to buy new that's probably irrelevant! So I'm off now to see if any of my relatives babies/toddlers have grown out of theirs!

OP posts:
MrsBobDylan · 06/08/2016 19:19

Only if her head comes past the top of the car seat is she too big for it. It doesn't matter about leg length and it sounds like the straps fit if she's under the weight it recommends.

KokoLoko · 06/08/2016 20:53

You need the "Sit n Stroll - travel car seat". It's available on Amazon and is a car seat with wheels built in that goes from birth to 13kg (4yo?). We have the Doona (first stage only), which is the same principle, and love it. I don't drive so having this means I can get lifts with people and have a car seat and buggy without the faff. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Naty1 · 06/08/2016 21:17

what height is she?. dd2 is about 80cm and im just moving from the cabriofix. for a 50th centile child that would be about 16m. i may have been able to squeeze her in for another 2cm before her head would be over the top.

livingthegoodlife · 06/08/2016 21:35

My daughter has just moved out of her maxi cosi cabrio fix age 20 months, still well within weight but head just toughing top. It doesn't matter that her legs dangle over the edge. I don't think you'll find the stage seat will work as a travel system.

lalalalyra · 06/08/2016 21:39

Have you checked there is no removable inserts to take out? I bought a new car seat for DS2 then a wise lady at the baby group showed me a bit that comes out. It lasted him another 3 months!

In what way is she squashed? If it's legs against the back of the seat that's fine. If her head is over the top then she needs to change to the next one up.

RubyCav · 06/08/2016 22:16

Lots have a removable insert. Mine has a polystyrene one under the covers and a fabric one on top. Both are removed.

DS was off the charts for length and fit until 10 months (then his head was over the top/ eyes level with top of seat). DD is also long but still in the centile charts and is just getting too long at 18months, plus she is at weight limit.

For a 0+ carseat they fit until they are 13kg or their eye is level with the top of the seat (when you've removed the inserts).

bangingmyheadoffabrickwall · 06/08/2016 22:40

My nearly 18 month old daughter is STILL under the 9kg minimum for a FF seat. She is too long for her infant car seat as her head is completely above the top of the top.
We put her in a FF seat months ago (she has put on only 2lbs and grown only 2cm in 8 months!!) as she is only 600g away from being 9kg. We want RF (or rather I do but DH doesn't seem to grasp the safety aspect as well as me) but the cost is astronomical for ensuring child safety. We would need 2 RF seats for logistical purposes as it is not feasible in our circumstances to be moving a car seat twice a day. It is a good 100m walk from the car to the childminders house for a start!

Rockelburger · 06/08/2016 22:41

Apparently car seats curve their spine causing terrible damage and so should only be used in the car, not as Abigail for long periods of time. Was news to me

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