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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Isofix or not for car seats?

81 replies

Enigmasaurus · 19/06/2018 10:02

We’re looking at 3 kids in car seats by the end of the year and have been thinking about an appropriate car for this (I’ve had another thread about that).

Speaking to some friends recently who have two slightly older children who are almost out of car seats, and they can’t understand why we’re keen to have isofix compatible seats. To me, it just feels more secure and safe in the event of a crash. They feel the data are not that convicing and that we are potentially spending a lot of money (buying a new car) that we don’t need to spend.

So, AIBU in insisting on isofix seats?

OP posts:

LeeshaPaper · 19/06/2018 10:04

Who cares what your friends think. ISO fix is safer. They're probably trying to justify their non - use of Isofix to themselves and you

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 19/06/2018 10:05

I don't know in terms of the statistics/technical stuff but we've always insisted on isofix for both DC and never regretted it.

Your friends don't have to approve or understand - if you feel isofix seats offer more safety in the event of an accident, go for it and ignore them.

Owletterocks · 19/06/2018 10:06

I am not sure I would use isofix if it meant having to buy a new car. If I could afford it though that’s what I would go for for an infant car seat. The stage 2/3 where the child is held in their seat by the actual seatbelt I didn’t bother with isofix because I wanted to be able to change the seats round and between cars if I needed to. I was more bothered about side impact protection on those ones

MarmiteAndCheeseRolls · 19/06/2018 10:06

I was told in mothercare and Halfords that it wasn't safer.( not sure where they get figures from) . However it was personal choice.. We went for it. Do what you feel comfortable with.

tealandteal · 19/06/2018 10:06

Isofix is no safer than a correctly fitted car seat. However it does make it far easier to fit the car seats correctly, especially if you are taking a car seat in and out for a little baby. I have looked at the multimac system which is expensive but maybe not as expensive as a new car?

mummastripes · 19/06/2018 10:07

Nobody regrets an isofox bass, they are easier and seem a lot safer.

Camomila · 19/06/2018 10:08

Woud you ever be putting the carseats in anyone elses car/taking them on holiday?

That's one area where non isofix seats are better I think.

Some are compatible with both seatbelt (for hols) and isofix (for home) So I'd choose that as my preferred option

flakesaretasty · 19/06/2018 10:09

Isofix reduces the chances of incorrect fitting in toddler/baby seats, and means you don't have to do up the belt when empty in older child seats.

A correctly fitted seat is safest, whether belted or isofix. There isn't data saying isofix is safer because it's isofix.

It's harder to fit 3 seats in the back if they're isofix.

If you want to spend the money, then that's up to you. But a correctly fitted and used, ERF belted seat is a lot safer than a FF seat even if it has isofix.

LeighaJ · 19/06/2018 10:09

I thought all cars from 2007 on were required by law to be isofix compatible?

Isittimeforbed · 19/06/2018 10:09

It's probably safer when they're in the car seats with a 5 point harness, but only because it reduces user error. Once they're in boosters it makes no difference as it's the car seat belt that's holding them in. So depending on your kids ages it may be nice to have but not necessary.

LeighaJ · 19/06/2018 10:10

We have an isofix base in each car, it's loads faster then using a seat belt. The time it saves makes it worth it to us.

SallyCinnamon3009 · 19/06/2018 10:14

I was asking the same question in mothercare the other day. Basically when correctly fitted there is no difference in safety. However isofix takes away human error as sight he older car seats it's fixed in place and your just fastening the harness on the child. There's a lot more room for human error (according to mothercare) with a seat hats held in place by the car seatbelt

Brieonabagel · 19/06/2018 10:16

I think the problem you might have is needing 3 car seats in the back. All isofix? We have 2 car seats, car has isofix points but we can’t use them as our older dc has to sit between the car seats so they’re correctly fitted (by Halfords) and still it’s a struggle.

ChiefSpoon · 19/06/2018 10:17

Isofix only goes to 18kg. Belted rear facing seats are available to 25kg. Rear facing is far safer.

TrickyTrickTrick · 19/06/2018 10:19

how old are your DC? Once they are out of 5 point harnesses there is no different in safety as the adult seat belt secures child and HBB together.

for infant carried and 5 point harness seats isofix is no safer than a correctly fitted belted seat but isofix removed the human error aspect so in practise there will be more correctly fitted isofixed seats than belted ones. isofix is also so much easier whilst the kids are in harnesses!

I insisted on isofix while the DC were harnessed, their HBB are not isofix but to have a gaget on the back to secure them to the headrest so they wont fly around the car in an accident if they are not in use at the time (but you can just strap them in without the child)

welshweasel · 19/06/2018 10:20

No evidence that isofix is safer. Good evidence that extended rear facing is safer. Much easier to fit 3 car seats in the back without isofix.

I’d do your research and get 3 extended rear facing seats to keep your kids as safe as they can be (once over 25kg then obviously a HBB would be appropriate).

ArfArfBarf · 19/06/2018 10:25

You might need to change cars anyway to get three car seats in even if you didn’t need to use isofix. I have an smax with three isofix at the same time.

Its worth checking not just the number of seats with isofix points but also whether they are spaced so you can actually use them all at the same time.

For me, it’s worth having the isofix points for when they are in hbb so you don’t have to check the seats are safely secured when not in use. Two of mine are in hbb and it’s nice not to have to check their seats aren’t going to become potential projectiles when I’m driving the baby round during the day.

Thehop · 19/06/2018 10:28

Isofix isn’t safer if belted is fitted correctly but I like the reassurance of knowing no human error.

Join a few rear facing/car seat advice pages on Facebook they’re great.

Ignore your friends, it’s your decision.

SheepyFun · 19/06/2018 10:30

We haven't used isofix seats (though our car could take them). With the baby seat, DH and I fitted it incorrectly a good few times - our was a slightly unusual design where you could leave the seat half strapped in, and we often forgot to loop the seatbelt round the back after strapping DD in. If we had another child, we would get an isofix baby seat. For bigger seats, we haven't used isofix, and it hasn't been an issue. On the occasions when we've needed three seats in the back, we've been glad they aren't isofix (only two isofix points).

Original poster

Enigmasaurus · 19/06/2018 10:42

Thank you all. I’m leaning towards isofix as I agree it removed the human error aspect.

To answer a couple of questions:
DC will be 4, 2 and a newborn.
Our soon to be 4 year old is very tall (over 1m) and will not comfortably sit rear facing - we tried. We’ve settled on a HBB with very good side protection which is isofix and has a five point harness. Feels like the best option where we’ve had to compromise on not rear facing.
Hoping the 2 year old will rear face for longer.
We can afford a new car (though it is an expense). Likely to go for a 7 seater with at least 4 isofix points (and not brand new).
We have 2 cars but only use one with the kids in. We have moved the seats into the other when needed (though it will definitely not take 3 even non-isofix)

OP posts:

bubbleroad · 19/06/2018 10:43

We don't have isofix so went with a belted seat (currently rear-facing). Got good guidance on installation and as long as you learn it right - and do it properly- it is safe. It is rock solid compared to the wobblyness of the isofix seat in parents' newer car and it will last longer as it has a higher weight limit.

flakesaretasty · 19/06/2018 10:54

ERF can be used over 1m, until 6 years old in some seats. They cross their legs, or put them up the back. If you choose not to ERF, that's your choice, but it's not because your child is 'too tall'.

If you want isofix, go for it. But they can rear face longer in a belted seat. Isofix is a preference. If you want a new car, buy one, if you want isofix, get it. Don't argue with your friends about it, though, as it's all just preferences. The only things that absolutely makes a child's car seat objectively safer are being used, fitted correctly, and rear facing as long as possible.

TwinkleMerrick · 19/06/2018 10:57

You can buy a kit to put isofix into a car. I was looking at it for ours. In the end I used the isofix with the seatbelt as we ran out of time to get it sorted before baby came. The base seems totally fine using the seat belt, very secure.

GoToSleepLittleBear · 19/06/2018 10:59

@Enigmasaurus Could I please ask which seat you went for for your four year old? I’ve been looking for similar, forward racing iOS fix HBB but with harness rather than belt, and I’m finding there aren’t a huge number of options.

GoToSleepLittleBear · 19/06/2018 11:00

*forward facing isofix 🙈

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