I want to purchase a rearfacing carseat?

[GodisaDj]

As above, I'm in the process of trying to establish which one is best. The MN reviews seem to suggest the Besafe Izi Combi is good, but I have a couple of questions in general about rearfacing:

1. What are the benefits of having an Isofix? Do we need one?

2. Are there any other models that MN'ers would recommend?

3. Can some rear facing car seats also go forward facing?

4. My DP is worried about the space the baby has (I have a long legged 11 month old), do their feet get 'pinned' to the back seat?

5. DP is also worried about the space required in the car as the rearfacing look bulkier, i.e does the front seat need to be pushed further forward. Has this been an issue for anyone?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm set on having a rear facing but DP seems to be questioning it. I have just shown him the video on rearfacing.co.uk and he seems more inclined to purchase one now.

thanks in advance

My comments fwiw:

1. I dont think Isofix is essential. I've never used it. We have one with a foot that makes it rock solid.

2)/ 3)/ 4) I've got the volvo branded Britax one that does face forwards when youwant it to. Its been really good. We've used it since DD was 13mths and she is now 3.4 and no need to turn around yet. Leg room not an issue before and now. She is as tall as the 5yr olds at her nursery too! Her legs can fold up as they get longer but it doesnt present any issue at all.

5. they do take up more space and need the front seat moved forwards. We've recently changed cars to something bigger and its better but its worth looking at that factor. Personally I'd rather be squashed up a bit as a passenger knowing it was safe for DD.

The volvo one ( buy from volvo garages) is massively subsidised so is less (or was) £200.

Good luck. :) RF seats rock!

We had the besafe izi combi isofix seat. It was great- rock solid. I don't know why dh bought the isofix one I think he researched it and came up with that one.
DS is a tall boy and he had no problems with leg room either in the Saab estate or my old Skoda Fabia. He used to sit crosslegged a lot of the time. We had to move him to another seat when he was 3.9 because his head started to stick out the top but his legs were fine. In our cars the front seats were pushed back as that is the final stage of the Besafe fitting instructions- they act as an extra brace for the child seat.

Ginger can you post a link to the Britax one. You day it is still rear facing, even though your daughter is 3.4?

Aloha - my DD is 4 next month and is still in her Izi combi isofix and will be until she gets too tall or too heavy. She is only 16kgs so still has plenty of weight to go but may get too tall in the next 6-8 months. She has plenty of space for her legs and has never complained about being squashed, in fact she coplains in DH's car where she has a FF seat that her legs get tired just hanging!

On the seat moving front, I have a grand scenic and DH (6ft4) can have the seat in his preferred position, in the peugeot 206 we couldn't get anyone in the front seat and in my BMW X3 it was slightly cramped for DH but fine for normal people.

The Iziz combi isofix can also go FF if needs be.

Here is a link on Volvo website- its annoying, you have to see it on a video but it does show it both forward and back.
HERE

RF would be fine for her for ages yet. reckon we could get to 4 easily (next spring)

She is tall and its no problem. Longer you RF the better in my book.

We almost bought one but didn't because it would have involved pulling the front seat too far forward in our small car. Also I heard that they are only safer in certain types of crashes. We got a forward facing kiddy guardian seat instead which scored top of the which best buys.

banana- remember that the UK safety scores never consider benefits of RF. Same with Which guides which are misleading as they dont talk about RF seats (unless they do now.. they didnt last time... its so misleading for new parents)

You need to read the info on RF safety- its better than FF anytime.

FWIW I had to go for kiddy comfort in my tiny mini as I couldnt get my DD in the back safely (or out in a hurry) otherwise. Like you RF would have been an issue with the front seat in that car.

The kiddy seats are a great compromise. I really dislike friends making silly uneducated comments about the cushion thing though!

Most RF seats are out of my price range...how much is the Volvo one and where can you buy it?

Also, the Britax First Class Plus - can it be used as RF for longer than the 13kg it recommends? As in, it goes up to age 4/18 kg but states you have to turn it to ff after 13kg - is this really necessary?

Thanks!

Most Volvo garages stock one for trying out, ours didn't but were happy to get one in for us to try. They are about £220 IIRC.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Just about to purchase the Besafe iZi combi but debating whether to buy one with isofix or not? The one without isofix says it is time consuming to install- did anyone find this was easy or difficult?

I love my isofix ones takes 5 mins max to fit which makes it easier to swap them about if they are heading out with GPs or we are taking DH's car on a long trip. The woman who showed me how to fit both sorts did the strap version in about 15 mins with the tethers already in place. I guess if you are having to fit tethers it may take longer.

Just had a look onetwothreefourfive thanks for putting those up, I'm reassured that dd will be comfortable!

All ordered and really excited now, it'll be here in time for our holiday to Cornwall. DD is 11.5 months and still in her maxicosi group 0 seat and can tell she's getting a little uncomfortable (she's over 20lb and about 77cms in length).

Thank you everyone, my bank balance is considerably less now but I'd like to think that DD will be safer for it

Ooohh what did you put? Pm me?

I've got a Britax Two Way Elite & DD(2.1) still has plenty of leg room. Purchased from In-Car Safety Centre last summer - think it was £199 with free p&p.

Besafe have just been posting on many threads asking you to email their sales teams.

Have you looked at the Axkid ? my LO is over 4 now and has very long legs ! he is sat in an Axkid Kidzone which can go up to 24 kgs and is a nice deep seat so great for long legs !
You can opt for the Axkid Kidzofix which is isofix and can also be installed non isofix too or the Axkid Kidzone which is just non isofix. If both are correctly fitted they should be as safe as each other.
What car do you drive ??
x

1. We've just got the BeSafe isofix. We tried a couple of belt fitted ones and they didn't fit properly so had to go with isofix. So easy to fit though. We've only got one car but if you are moving between two I would say go with isofix. Guy in the shop said there was not much difference in safety as long as they are fitted properly but this was rock solid compared to the tethered ones.

2. for an extra £30 we got the combi one which can also go forwards with a seat belt, in case we need to use it in GP car (or tow-truck if we ever break down!!)

3. with the BeSafe the passenger seat needs to be touching the head of the car seat, so you can't alter the front seat once in place.

tally and kirlyp - not sure if you saw my previous post that I'd ordered the Besafe Izi Combi.

It arrived earlier this week and our new car was picked up on Wednesday so we fitted in (only took 45 min) and DD loves it (fell asleep the first two journey's within 5 minutes!) We brought the little mirror thing so we can see her and she thinks it's funny that she can see us.

Really pleased with the purchase. The passenger seat is moved forward quite a bit though (she's behind the passenger seat). I'm 5'11 and have only just got enough room in the front and we've got an Audi A4 estate. Was quite surprised at this. DD however, has lots of leg room

Thanks all