Due February 2017 - Thread 8!

[DottyA]

Sorry all - I accidentally used the last message in thread 7. Hope you can find this one!

Chozzle it really depends on the car seat. There are many car seats where using the isofix base has no impact on the crash safety results so its not exactly correct to suggest the base makes car seats universally safer.

We are getting a car seat that works as part of our travel system for our pram on for the compatible seats we looked at there is no difference.

I don't have isofix in my car. But there are certain bases that you can seatbelt in. We are thinking about a base as we have a 2 door car (can't afford to change it) and it will be less hassle. All this car seat business is very confusing though.

I used one car seat as an example, Most of the reviews say similar things.

It's easier and safer, I can't see any reason not to get it.

Sorry London missed your post, I looked at quite a few crash tests and most said this. However for me it's the ease of use, the reduction of the possibility of incorrect fitting, and the safety that are priorities.

My friends went with seatbelt-only seats and have had absolutely no problems at all - their DD is now 2 and a half.

As can be seen on the Which reviews here both types of fixing - belt or Isofix - perform differently depending on seat and/or impact zone. Even Which don't make an outright statement on the optimum method - as London says it very much depends on seat.

I think one of the main issues with the car seats is that belted ones often aren't fitted correctly. I know I wouldn't trust myself to do this in a hurry, on two hours sleep and with a baby screaming at me-this is the reality a lot of the time! I think they're fine if they stay in the car most of the time though. My local waitrose regularly have experts in the car park so people can check whether their seat is fitted correctly. This says to me that very often people don't!

Which recommend using isofix in that article. To reduce the risk of incorrect installation alone.

It's the best option for me can't speak for everyone else obviously!

They recommend it in the context of:

It's still very possible to make errors with Isofix seats but they are, in general, easier to install than belted seats. So for this reason alone, we'd recommend using an Isofix child car seat if you have the option

Not as an overall safety or crash recommendation.

I know this is an emotional subject for families and I guess the reason I'm responding isn't to be confrontational, but because there's a lot of new mums-to-be on this thread - me included - who are trying to make the right choices. Your original post (Chozzle) probably unintentionally came across as Isofix being the only choice, which could be worrying for some mums who can't afford the extra fixings and think they're going to cause issues when travelling.

As you say, it's worked out the best option for you, and I hope you don't think I've been having a dig because it's not meant that way - as you say, it's horses for courses on what everyone ultimately chooses to work best for them

Yes, in my original post I mentioned that its fool proof installation is its main advantage. However, if you don't own a car and often use car services (as is our case in London), capability with a travel system and a seat that has very high ratings when belted in (as all cars on the road aren't compatible with an isofix) are the priorities.

There is no added convenience if you don't actually own a car to leave the base in. Also, belting in, while not fool proof, is very straight forward and the instructions are on the car seat so its easy to double check you've done it correctly.

This really is one where you have to weigh up all the factors in your life / lifestyle to make the best choice and neither choice necessarily comes with any real safety compromise.

• compatibility nit capability

Cross posted with kiki

Agree with all of that! I also just think its important that its clear for everyone that its not a question of the safe choice versus the reckless choice by any stretch of the imagination. Weigh up all the factors and make whatever decision is best for your family :)

what you said here London - There is no added convenience if you don't actually own a car to leave the base in. is partly our reason for going for the belt only. We do own a car, but we're very close to the centre of town (Cambridge) so may not drive constantly. Added to that, we didn't want to get a seat only needing Isofix as we have family in France (who do need cars to get around) and so when visiting them we wanted a seat which could be put in the car with belts only. It's the right choice for us for now, but we will of course keep an eye on car seat options as the bub gets bigger

If it's a safety thing, you'd also have to take into account every time the baby leaves the house and by what means of travel to have a fair discussion. For example, if london doesn't have a car and will be walking around Dulwich with a pram or sling or taking baby on a bus etc. is she more or less likely to be in an accident than those who use our cars every day and are using an isofix?

I don't know the answer, it would require a lot of research but, as others have said, this all comes down to personal circumstances and can't be solved on here...

I am very black and white with decisions like this, it can come across as aggressive and confrontational so apologies if that is the case.

Each person will do what they think is best for them and it has nothing to do with me

Chozzle I didn't find your post aggressive at all and I know I can definitely be aggressive so no need to apologize! I actually just think you are wrong :)

To be a bit more practical in the discussion for those looking for a safe car seat that can be used belted rather than on an Isofix base Which highly recommends the Britax Römer Baby-Safe Plus II SHR.

This car seat has a 5 star crash safety rating front and side used both with a base or without a base. Both versions of the car seat are a Which best buy and there is zero crash safety difference between the car seat regardless of how its strapped in.

This is the car seat DH and I are choosing because in addition to it getting the highest possible safety rating available on Which for any type of car seat, its also compatible with the Bugaboo Boo 3 for use as a travel system.

Given our lifestyles, we need a travel system and we need an urban buggy like the Bee3, hence how we've made our choice. Like I said, there are so many things to way up, that without taking absolutely everything into consideration, its hard to recommend what is appropriate for others on this really tricky topic.

But in our situation, nothing about our choice has any true safety implications for our daughter.

*weight not way! What's wrong with me today...

Ah kiki you're quite near me! Are you registered with the Rosie? I went to Harlow last time and have been really impressed with the Rosie by comparison.

London I was going to say the same thing - it depends on the seat as some have good side protection with a seatbelt and others are better with isofix, and if I were not getting an isofix base I would definitely go for a seat that specifically had a high rating with the seatbelt vs isofix, as you are doing.
I found the Which? reviews really useful last time too.

London yes I am with the Rosie! They seem lovely so far - it's my first maternity experience, but I can't fault them .

Twocasts I've mentioned before that I am a super slow shopper. Which? is a God-send for people like me and DH so we don't have to do all the detailed research ourselves product by product or only take sales people's advice.

I wish Which? reviewed everything but unfortunately they don't think its worth their time telling me which Muslins are likely to last the longest etc. That's why all you ladies on Mumsnet are such a godsend in addition to the general support and camaraderie :)

kiki we may walk past each other tomorrow in that case! (I think your scan is tomorrow?) I'm there for a VBAC appointment.

I completely missed the last thread
20 week scan on the 3rd I can't wait!
Aldi has their baby event in I recommend their nappies and wipes!

My DH just got some incredible news about his shared parental leave policy at work which his employers in the process of drafting. Apparently he'll get full pay for 26 weeks so we can take a full 6+ months off together!

In fact, he'll probably end up staying off a bit longer than me using his accumulated vacation entitlement during that period which has now got me a bit jealous of him. I can't believe how insanely lucky we are that we'll get to have that shared experience together for so long both at 100% full pay. It feels like we've just won the lottery :) :) :)

We can agree to disagree London

Which? Is my most used website at the minute along with this one

London that is amazing news!