To ask if you bought an ISOFIX base?

[cmjwx]

Just received our Joie travel system from DM for DS1 today.

Want to ask, did you get an ISOFIX for your DCs or simply use the seatbelt? I'd imagine ISO is much easier, just want others opinions before I fork out for the base.

Thanks!

[Nothinglefttochoose]

Yes you are being unreasonable. Please don’t post in Aibu when it has nothing to do with it!!

[3in4years]

No I didn't bother.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I think a correctly applied seatbelt is as safe as an isofix base, but it is very easy to fuck up a seatbelt fastening and very hard to fuck up the isofix. I loved mine. Godsend when it's shitting down with rain and you can just click baby into the car in a few seconds rather than arsing around with a seatbelt that decides to.jam while your back and bum get wet.

This.

[TwoRoundabouts]

I use a seat belt. Watched YouTube videos a few times and checked the manual. Reason being I can move the car seat to a different car if needs be but you can't with Isofix.

In regards to moving baby I mostly use a sling/carrier as she is far happier in that than car seat or buggy. Also it's not safe to leave a newborn in a car seat for hours.

[MonicaGellerHyphenBing]

Isofix is NOT safer, it is just quicker (though fitting with the seatbelt really isn't difficult once you know how to do it) and more idiot-proof. We had a Maxi-Cosi with the Isofix base and it is very easy to fit and use, so I would recommend it if you plan to take the seat in and out on a regular basis (though if you have a heavier baby this becomes cumbersome pretty quickly).

Wouldn't recommend buying one second-hand unless it's from someone you trust, even a minor accident can render the seat unsafe.

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

Isofix is no safer. Just harder to get wrong.

[randomsabreuse]

We have a belt installed toddler seat and tried a belt installed baby seat. Could not get a good solid install of baby seat. Anything remotely fiddly is bad in newborn sleep deprived haze... having spent 90 minutes cursing and weeping to get the cover off the baby seat to wash it because I failed to notice a plastic bar was not solid so I could remove the strap to release the cover. I was quite tired...

[Mmmhmmm]

Yes, bought 2 second-hand. Easier and safer.

[MujosMama]

We had a Joie travel system with the Gemm car seat and I didn't get an isofix base at first as my old car didn't have the points.

I got one from DP for my birthday when he was a year (he's a practical soul!) but then we upgraded to the 360 spin in October anyway

I did find it a LOT easier with the isofix, just wish we'd been able to use it for longer! Having said that it is expensive and once you get used to the seat belt configuration it's very easy to secure

[problembottom]

My baby is ten weeks old and we have one, it’s quick and easy to use so I’d recommend it. I always remove the car seat as I like to get her in and out of it in the warmth (she’s wrapped up in a special blanket) and also to pop it on the pram base if I’m on a quick trip and don’t want to wake her up to transfer her into the bassinet.

[Sashkin]

cmjwx in those circumstances we just carried DS, he was coming out of the car seat as soon as we got inside anyway so no point lugging a heavy car seat across the drive!

[MissKenton]

Best thing since sliced bread

[Amanduh]

Used both.
It’s not safer.
It IS quicker but it took about a minute and a half with the belt so I wasn’t really bothered

[GregoryPeckingDuck]

We used isofix. So so easy.

[angelikacpickles]

I had a base but it wasn't ISOFIX, it went into the car with the seatbelt and then the car seat clicked in and out of the base. It's much handier than doing the seatbelt every time.

[nos123]

We have a 3 door car- ISOFIX base is a life saver for getting him in and out. Nevertheless, I don’t find it hard getting him in my mum’s 5 door car using the seatbelt.

[peachgreen]

We don't have an isofix point but bought a base that could be belted in so we could still click the seat in and out. Would have been really hard work without it.

[sirmione16]

I LOVE having an isofix base. It's SO easy to just pop him down. Especially as car seats are so heavy now too. Plus if it's cold/raining if I'm running late as usual it's a blessing to be so quick.

[Gastonimo]

There's often lots of ISOFIX bases for sale on Facebook market place / selling sites. I don't think there's a risk to buying second hand bases. I paid £20 for a cabriofix and will probably sell it after for the same price.

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

I used to get the car seat out regularly when they were tiny, if they were asleep I'd clip it onto wheels and do what needed to be done. But the maximum cosi cabrio is so light and easy to fit that it wasn't a chore.

They moved in to Britax two way elites, now they are a bit more of a faff!

[cmjwx]

@Sashkin take DC out of house in car seat, put in car, take him out when arrived at destination and repeat

[cmjwx]

@Sashkin If we are visiting family etc? We're not going to lug the buggy in the house when we can carry him the car seat.

[Sashkin]

Also is there a reason you'd be taking the car seat in and out? We leave ours in place for as long as we have the car... We'd take DS to the car in our arms (assuming car directly outside our house, buggy if not), transfer to waiting car seat, drive to where we were going, and take him out and put him in the buggy again, and reverse on way home. You're getting the buggy out of the boot anyway, why remove the car seat?

[skankingpiglet]

None of our vehicles have isofix so we didn't buy a base. We have had 2 car accidents (one each for DH and I, neither our fault!) since having children and they were fine both times bar a bitten tongue. I required a trip to A&E after my accident. As PPs have said, the key is knowing how to fit them but a good retailer like the In Car Safety Centre will talk you through that.
DCs are long out of infant carriers now but when they were, strapping the carrier in was no huge onerous task. Once you knew what you were doing and well-practised it took maybe 10 seconds?

[room32]

We couldn't practically because we don't have our own car and depend on lifts and taxis. One of the reasons I don't think they should be compulsory btw. But I do think if you have your own car it's easier with a base.