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AIBU?

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Original poster

Outgrown joie car seat already!

27 replies

freva · 02/07/2019 10:23

It's meant to last up to 18 months. My son is 8 months, he's small for his age and the headrest is too tight already. I have to wedge his head in it but have no money for a new car seat.

Can I take it back 8 months later as my 8 month old has outgrown it or will they tell me to sod off because it's been so long?

All the reviews on their site say the same but it was new and had made for mums gold award at the time so we went for it.

OP posts:
hsegfiugseskufh · 02/07/2019 10:24

which car seat is it? have you taken all the wedges out?

Buggeredpelvicfloor2013 · 02/07/2019 10:34

We had the same problem with Joie, outgrown by 8 months and car seats are so bloody expensive!! Not much help here with regards to the Joie but I can recommend the Cuggl 3 stage from argos, cost us £80 I think. We have a big boy (14kg at 15 months) and it seems to be designed for bigger babies tbh. Wish we had bought this instead of the Joie at the beginning, would have saved me a fortune.

Original poster
freva · 02/07/2019 10:36

@JoanMavisIcecreamGirl it's the ilevel isize. I've taken the bottom padding out but you can only adjust the headrest so it's a different height. I didn't really think about it when I first bought it. Really annoyed as I'm a single mum struggling to get by and my mum spent a lot of money on the car seat as I wanted the safest one and this was it apparently. It was really kind of her but I'm so upset it now doesn't fit!

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 02/07/2019 10:37

Don't look at age, what weight does it last to?

Have you definitely removed all inserts and moved headrest up to its highest point

Lazypuppy · 02/07/2019 10:38

I've just googled it, no-way would i ever expect that car seat to last to 18 months. That looks like a newborn car seat so maybe up to 12 months. But this all depends on baby's weight, the ages is just a guide

Original poster
freva · 02/07/2019 10:41

It says up to 28lbs. My son is only 20lbs. He was only 4lbs when he was born. It's my first time doing this so I just presumed that it would last. Feel stupid now. Not really sure what to do other than buy the cheapest car seat I can find Sad

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 02/07/2019 10:44

And what about height? The car seat will have a maximum height and weight, like i said age is just a guideline.

The next car seat you buy should be able to last them until they are 4years ish.

We got rid of our infant carrier at 12 months and bought a new rear facing spin one that can then be forward facing so will last.

Original poster
freva · 02/07/2019 10:47

@Lazypuppy he's nowhere near the height. But the problem isn't the height. He easily fits the height. The head rest is just too tight around the side of his head.

OP posts:
Fruitteatime · 02/07/2019 10:48

A photo would help, in all honesty I believe a snug seat is safer and less room to move about in an accident (obviously if child is within the weight limits). Search car seat advice UK in Facebook and they might be able to help. Extended rear facing is safest and you can gets seats that go up to 25kg so it will last up until you child is around 6 and should fit from around six months (obviously these are estimates). You'd need to move up to one of these seats around 15 to 18 months. It would be safest for him to be in his infant seat but if he really has outgrown it (and joie agree) then obviously you need a different seat.

SkydivingKittyCat · 02/07/2019 10:48

The ages are just a guide. You need to go by weight and/or height. E.g. most are marketed as being ok until 18kg/4 years but my high centile child will be 18kg at about 2.5 years old. He out grew his (different) infant carrier at 6 months.
Use the weight chart in the red book to estimate future weights. We need to get a seat with a 25kg limit for this reason.

thefavourite · 02/07/2019 10:49

I dont think 20lbs is small for 8 months!

dementedpixie · 02/07/2019 10:49

Age isn't just a guide, iSize seats are supposed to last until 15 months as the iSize regulations say that's the age you should rear face until. I have just read reviews that say the same and that the headrest cant be removed

dementedpixie · 02/07/2019 10:50

My ds was 20lbs at just under 6 months

Greenolivesorblackolives · 02/07/2019 10:51

We had this seat and so did my sister. Dd is a smaller build and it lasted her until 12 months. My nephew is a chunk and he was out of it by 8 months.

Fruitteatime · 02/07/2019 10:54

I meant you'd need to move around 15 to 18 months anyway so you would just be getting it earlier. Which is annoying but at least you'd know it would last a lot longer and that you were keeping your baby as safe as possible.

Original poster
freva · 02/07/2019 10:55

He's a good weight but he is quite small. He's still in his 3-6 month clothes and 6-9 months drown him!

OP posts:
WingingWonder · 02/07/2019 10:58

I would take it to wherever you bought it and ask them to fit it and see what they say- for example if mothercare day it’s not fit and he in under weight and size guide then Joie would have to do something- maybe offer you a discount on next size

WingingWonder · 02/07/2019 10:58

And DONT whatever you do, get a cheap car seat. It makes a difference in a crash

myself2020 · 02/07/2019 11:44

20lb is a bit over average weight for 8 months, so he isn’t exactly small (and head size iswhat is your problem, not length). my oldest has a really big head, so we always struggle with helmets etc.

Darkq · 02/07/2019 13:11

Car seats are a pain there's so many that claim to be the best or have awards from such a group, an wanting to make sure you get the best you can afford gets very confusing. I also found that going into shops for more info I just encountered sale men trying to sway me into their stock. Ended up spending best part of a week learning about the technical side myself as my daughters just going from infant seat to group 1 seat. Basically like you've already said don't take everything they say as fact they are still businesses trying to make their products look better then the competition sadly.

ToddlerTwinsAndUnhinged · 02/07/2019 14:26

My girls are 9 months and grown out of their first car seats. I've ordered this www.argos.co.uk/product/5588194 x2, it has good reviews and didn't break the bank. I'll let you know how good they are when they arrive. They're not isofix (I have an old car) but are rear and forward facing and good up to about age 6.

Teddybear45 · 02/07/2019 14:34

Suggest going to John Lewis or Halfords for advice here as they tend to be more knowledgeable.

dementedpixie · 02/07/2019 15:23

I don't think Nania seats are particularly good. They are only rear facing until 10kg too

Dixiechickonhols · 02/07/2019 15:42

I’d contact the shop or manufacturer. If it fits upto 28lb and he is 20lb it should be useable otherwise it’s not fit for purpose.

TillyTheTiger · 02/07/2019 15:48

Before you buy another car seat, join Car Seat Advice UK on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/groups/CSAUK/
There is loads of information on there about suitable car seats - there's no point in you buying a cheap unsafe infant seat now when you'll need another one when he's 15 months anyway, better to get one that will last longer (the safest ones rear face until 25kg).

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