Should I get a new car seat of am I being silly?

[amyboo]

I'm expecting DS2 in May. For DS1 my SIL gave us her old Graco junior car seat that had been part of her travel system. Including my DS1, the seat's now done 4 boys, and is looking a little tired. I also found it pretty hard to fit and unfit and pretty heavy.

I'm contemplating getting a Maxi Cosi Cabriofix (poss. with Isofix base) for DS2, but I just can't bring myself to justify the extra cost. Is it easy to fit without the Isofix base (might not buy as our Group 1 car seat is a Brittax), or will it be just as fiddly as the old Graco one? I also have the impression that the Cabiofix is quite nicely padded - something which I feel the Graco lacks after 4 babies have used it! Is this actually the case?

Any advice would be gratefully received...

Cabriofix is good, we had one. But, no, not particularly easy to fit without the base. It's not difficult but it's fiddly and when yu'e used to just putting it down onto the base it's a pain

I have a Cabriofix with the familyfix base which is obviously easy to use.
Although it is really easy to fit with just a seatbelt, my MIL can do it and she has been known to walk miles just to avoid folding prams or fitting carseats!

It has an insert for newborns which is padded but without that I wouldn't say it is really plush.
If we had the room I would get the Britax babysafe sleeper for DC4. I saw a friends baby in it and she looks so comfy compared to the usual scrunched up position you see newborns in.

IMO , the cabriofix is the easiest and most simple car seat to fit with the seatbelt. Obviously it is much easier with a base, but if you are used to fitting the Graco one with a seatbelt then you will find the cabriofix easier.

If you are still struggling to justify the extra expense, and arent that bothered about the base element, you could go for the Maxi Cosi Citi instead - very similar, but a bit more lightweight and not base compatible.

www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_329+56_10751_-1_14601_130412_10001_14601

although if you shop around you can usually find a cabriofix for around £100 anyway.

Please look at the Britax BabySafe SHR before you spend out on a cabrio! (Handle problem now fixed on the Britax)

The law is changing early next year to children being rear facing to 15 months, which you'll struggle to do in the Cabrio. (I'm assuming here that baby will be coming up to 9-12 months old by the time the law changes this time next year)

The Britax is also alot safer from a testing and side impact point of view and has much clearer fitting guides. The newer Graco is also very good. Have you also thought about getting the Britax First class? Will also rear-face to the full 13kg's, rather than the baby outgrowing it by height first and has a padded insert for newborns. Then front faces to 18kg.

I would recommend a specific group 0+ or the Babysafe sleeper over a group 0+1 (first class) though.

From what your saying the current seat is pretty old, and they only have a 6-10 year shelf life, so i'd personally get a new one regardless!

Interesting what you say about the law change - I haven't heard anything about this, and a google has yielded nothing. Where has this been confirmed? It would have been a nightmare to keep DS1 rear-facing to 15 months, as he a) hated not being able to see us in the car and would essentially scream non-sto, and b) was/is a very tall and quite big baby!

FWIW, our second stage car seat is a Britax Asis (inherited from in-laws) that is basically an older version of the First Class - it does class 0+ and 1 (up to 18kg and can be either rear-facing or forward facing). So, I guess if worse comes to worse, we can get a new seat for DS1 and use the Asis for DS2.

I'm in Belgium, so I'm not sure if this potential law change is EU-wide or if it will just be UK. If you could link me to any more information justforinfo I'd be really grateful.

Otherwise, I think we're going for the Maxi Cosi Citi (DH wasn't too keen on the Isofix base idea) or maybe the Britax Babysafe SHR.

It'll be EU as it's an amendment to the ECE R44 standard. It'll also include mandatory side impact testing. Where have I got my information? Umm... it's kinda inside info! As part of my job I know these things a long time before it comes out! It is mentioned in this review on the new Cybex seat however.

You'll find the Britax more upright as the baby gets older so he will be able to see more. I can't really say about the Citi as i've not come across it in the 'flesh' yet - If it's anything like the pebble or cabrio it won't last to 15months May have to drop in on a baby shop to have a look :)

Also, have a look at www.rearfacing.co.uk and www.childseatsafetyplace.co.uk for more info on why they should be kept rearfacing as long as possible.

ummm and 'Asis' isn't the name of the seat everyone I know does that It'll likely be a first class, just an older version :)