to think I was mad for considering this seat when I searched on mumsnet and found this link?

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WdBRPiNJC7s

[CMOTdibbler]

Yes - I think that link refers to a booster cushion only, which doesn't redirect the straps, or ensure the child is centred in them.

We got the Britax Kidfix, and DS is held very well in it

[Longtalljosie]

I think it must be fitted properly. It would be totally pointless doing a safety test on one that wasn't

[GirlsAreLoud]

Insanity to buy one when the reviews are so poor (except for the Britax one).

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

thehairybabysmum I guess this sort of seat is the way to go

www.mothercare.com/b/44453031?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=0JMDXY4JXRM2CPB04ABG&pf_rd_p=468460953&title=highback% 20boosters%20with%20harness&pfrdi=118864031&pfrds=global-top-7&pfrdm=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pfrdt=10 1

Its interesting about the rearward facing seats for after a year old. We looked into this but the seats available tended not to be isofix and the front seat needed to be so far forward to allow for it behind. In the end we go the new generation Jane Exo

www.mothercare.com/Jane-Exo-Isofix-Pigment-Black/dp/B001NLP4SI/sr=1-2/qid=1249495867/ref=sr_1_2/278- 2944759-5571243?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=44452031&mcb=core

Quite pleased with it but its is quite hard to get LO in and out.

I think I would for the one above next but thats years away!

[oldraver]

I am rather unsure as to just WHY that couple put a three year old in booster/adult seat combo rather than 5 point harness though ?

I think this shows as well that there is a big market out there for higher weight range 5 point harnesses as many children nowadays reach the 18 kg very quickly. As far as I know there only a couple of SN car seats that go up to 25kg.

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

Yes, that's what we found when looking at rear facing. I did hear someone say that they will make rear facing up to age 4 law at some point. Not sure how true it is but sounds a good idea if they can get the seats right.

[AitchTwoOh]

well PLAINLY someone who buys it doesn't know that the revieiws are bad, do they? it's not the sort of thing people tend to take big chances with, the safety of their kids, is it?

i wonder how great the other crash tests look, as it happens.

[BertieBotts]

The bebeconfort carrycots are sold as being "legal for use in a car" They are not as safe though as they are definitely not designed as carseats.

[GirlsAreLoud]

Agree bertiebotts, they are clearly just exploiting people who assume all car seats/car restraints are safe without doing any research of their own.

[acebaby]

OMG DS1 went in the Jane matrix lying down for 5 months. When I put it rear facing, it was so wobbly we got him the concorde ultimax. DS2 went straight into the ultimax.
The matrix is a great pram, but terrible car seat.

It is interesting about rear facing car seats for over 1s. Personally, I think that if many real children, as opposed to crash test dummies, were put in one, they would be so uncooperative and/or car sick that the distraction would negate the decreased risk of injury. But maybe that is just my DS's...

[GirlsAreLoud]

"they would be so uncooperative and/or car sick that the distraction would negate the decreased risk of injury."

But rearfacing car seats have been found to be 5 x safer than forward facing. How does a bit of puke negate that?

[georgimama]

My brother and SIL have put their three year old on a booster seat with adult belt. He's tall enough, and weighs enough, but that's not the point is it? He'd be much safer in a proper seat with 5 point harness. Why they would want to rush this "development milestone" is a mystery to me.

Despite my postings on MN I am very butt out in RL. I think I have to say something though.

[AitchTwoOh]

in what way are they exploiting them? they PASS the EU tests. now, i think they're not done at a particularly high speed (does it say the speed on the film?) but really you need to take that up with the EU.

one seat is not as safe as teh next. big news.

[gingerbunny]

my three year old is very tall for his age and when we went to buy him a new seat (aged just 3), all of the places we went said that they didn't do them tall enough for him, that they didn't make them that tall and that he would have to go in a booster seat.
There was absolutely no way we were going to do that and although it took a long time and cost us nearly £200 we managed to find one big enough. It has the side impact and head impact protectors and he looks so comfortable and SAFE in it.
I am so pleased that i did't go with the advise and put him in a booster seat.

[GirlsAreLoud]

Georgie that's a worry, I've got a few friends who were desperate to get their children out of their infant carriers the very second they reached 20 pounds. As you say I think for many it's just viewed as a development milestone.

[georgimama]

This is the thing, ginger, like us they have a Britax 123 Evolva. It grows with your child. He could still be in it in full child seat/5 point harness mode. They have just chosen to take the back off and dispense with the 5 point. Why?

Oh dear, difficult conversation with brother awaits.

[MrsBadger]

I have often wondered about the relative safety of these things

happy quiet child in 'less safe' seat + happy driver concentrating on the road

vs

screaming puking child in safest-ever seat + distracted frustrated driver

but I suppose neither scenario affects the surprise shunt from behind / numpty pulling out into your wing etc etc type accident

[amidaiwish]

errr, GirlsAreLoud

how much puke have you cleared up in a car/carseat on a long journey?

i have cleared up plenty

they end up sitting on your lap wrapped in a blanket naked with your seat belt across them, as the car seat/clothes/car is FULL of puke.

NO WAY would i go for a rear facing car seat for this very reason for DD2. nightmare. we could never go anywhere.

[percypig]

DS2 (19 months)is in a rearfacing Stage 1 seat. It can also be used forward facing and can be used up to 18 or 25k (depending on what way you fit it). He's never complained, he has never known any different.

DS1 is nearly 3 and 4 months and quite light but average height. He'll be staying in his Maxi Cosi Tobi as long as possible, then into a high-back booster with harness. PS He also likes his little brother's carseat and quite often asks to go in it instead.

[GirlsAreLoud]

You put your child on your lap with just a seatbelt around her?

Can't you just change her clothes/put mats down/get a spare car seat cover?

[georgimama]

here is thedepartment of transport guidance

[amidaiwish]

yes we did
300 miles from home
10 miles from our destination
puke absolutely everywhere
that is reality. you'd suggest we leave her traumatised in a puke filled car seat surrounded by puke splatter?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

DS is in a high backed booster seat as the 5 point harness one was getting too small for him height wise and he just wasn't comfortable...the high backed seat feeds the belt through so does this make it safe or am I better off going back to the harness one??

[Yurtgirl]

amidaiwish - I have been in that situation, without a blanket, I put my child back in car seat with whatever I could find to make it comfortable

No way would I put a child on my lap and put the seat belt round - vomit on car seat is no excuse, you could should have wrapped baby/child in blanket and put back in car seat - having cleaned it as much as possible obviously

[Yurtgirl]

Yep -I would have amidaiwish
And in fact I have
Cos on your lap isnt safe
Being safe is more important than vomit sorry!