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Car seats

Confused about car seat regulations? Find baby car seat advice here. For Mumsnetter-approved essentials, sign up for Mumsnet Swears By emails here.

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Original poster

Keep 4yo in 5 point harness or move to hbb?

25 replies

marleymooo · 28/12/2014 20:52

Hi, I know most people like to keep their lo's in group 1 5-poit harnesses for as long as possible. DS1 is almost 4 and in a britax 2-way elite (now ff). This covers up to 25kilos in a 5point harness which is pretty rare.
The problem is, DS2 (10m) will soon be out of his group 0. The plan was to put him into the 2we (erf) and put DS1 into a HBB with seatbelt. However now the time is here it's making me uncomfortable! I hate the thought I taking DS1 out of a harness when it will fit him for a long time to come.

I fully trust him with a seatbelt, he wouldn't unclick it....is this the only reason people put off moving kids into a belted booster or is the harness a lot safer? Not relishing the idea of buying 2 more erf seats if I keep DS1 in his!

TIA

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ilovepowerhoop · 28/12/2014 22:53

what weight is he? If he is over 18kgs then I'd be fine using a hbb.

tilder · 28/12/2014 22:58

As I love says, check his weight. Weight and height are important considerations for car seat choice.

Pikkewyn · 28/12/2014 23:02

If he is under 25kgs and fits the 5 point harness still then I would leave him in it and if you can afford it get a second 5 point harness (ERF if possible) for your second DC. My 6yo is still in her TWE FF and has 4 kgs to go before she is too heavy and plenty of head space too. We bought a second for DD2.

Original poster

marleymooo · 29/12/2014 03:55

Thanks. He is just the 18kg.

OP posts:

Original poster

marleymooo · 29/12/2014 03:57

The problem is whatever I buy I need 2 of for childminders/grandparents car so just wondered of it was worth it.

OP posts:

redspottydress · 29/12/2014 04:10

I kept my ds in his group 0 until he was 23 months. He is now in a britax elite along with my other 2.

JellyTipisthebest · 29/12/2014 06:00

why not keep him in it in your car but have in in a hhb in childminders car then that is one less to buy. based on you prob do more long journeys and prob more comfy in what you have.

Original poster

marleymooo · 29/12/2014 07:04

But I need 2 regardless jelly, if I buy one Hbb I need 2 erf for DS2. I need 2 carseats each. I drop DS1 to preschool before work and sometimes DH does pick up. Even with one child and one 2we we had a nightmare of suddenly being left with a child to take home and no seat. It was a disaster lol.

And my priority is putting DS2 in a erf rather than keeping DS1 in a 5 point.

Away to do some financial sums. Thanks ladies x

OP posts:

BMO · 02/01/2015 15:52

I imagine the safety difference between a harness or good HBB for an 18kg+ child is going to be very small.

longestlurkerever · 03/01/2015 11:05

Is 18kg the key weight for a seatbelt?Dd hhas outgrown her erf car seat at 3.5 yrs. Last time I had her weighed she was a bit over 16kg but that was a couple of months ago. The hbb seats on the mothercare site say from 16kg. I could buy one with a harness but my concern is she has a habit of slipping her arms out so I thought she might be safer in a seatbelt one. When we hired a car they said she was too big for the group 1 seat I had ordered and gave me a hbb. I was a bit concerned but they showed me the height and weight specifications and convinced me so i thought that is what we should be buying next. am i wrong?

dementedpixie · 03/01/2015 12:14

The minimum weight for a hbb is 15kg but the maximum weight for group 1 seats is 18kg so there is an overlap. I kept ds in his group 1 seat until he was 18kg but he was just under 3 when I had to move him to a hbb (no extended rear seats existed at that point or seats with a harness until 25kg)

ChippingInLovesChristmasLights · 03/01/2015 12:20

I can't imagine having a 5 yo in a 5 pt harness?!

There are plenty of GOOD car seats that are perfectly safe that use the seatbelt for the child.

I'd move DS1 up a stage.

BMO · 03/01/2015 12:33

15kg is minimum for a seatbelt, 18kg is maximum for most harnesses.

I have a 16kg 4.5 year old who is mostly in a HBB now.

longestlurkerever · 03/01/2015 19:08

Thanks guys. Next question. Do you get what you pay for with car seats or does the extra money just buy more fancy padding etc? There are 2 half price britax ones in the mothercare sale at 30 and 45 quid respectively, allegedly reduced from 60 and 90. Is that too cheap? I thought britax was a decent make and it's the make of dd's current erf seat but some of the others are closer to 150/200 quid.

Original poster

marleymooo · 03/01/2015 22:09

Longest I signed up to which? Once again to check ratings for hbbs and iirc there were a few britax that were a "don't buy"! I have to say I was surprised. Do you know the model name and ill check for you?

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Artandco · 03/01/2015 22:14

Most 0 stage car seats are newborn-18months, so if you keep youngest in first seat another 8 months, then eldest will be nearer 5 years before you swap over

longestlurkerever · 03/01/2015 22:15

Thanks Marley. They are the adventure and the discovery lx. The evolva 123 is the one with the harness.

Original poster

marleymooo · 03/01/2015 22:20

Artandco we'll never make it to 18 months on the group 0, his head is nearmy level with the top of the seat, we'll get another little while though, I will be holding off as long as possible. Just heading out longest, ill post tmw for you x

OP posts:

Artandco · 03/01/2015 22:27

I thought it was up to their ears on stage 0 car seats? Not top of the head.

dementedpixie · 03/01/2015 22:34

it is top of the head for group 0 and ear/eye level for group 1

dementedpixie · 03/01/2015 22:36

from maxi-cosi website:

Your baby has outgrown his baby car seat when the top of his head reaches the top of the seat back. Do not switch to the next stage car seat until this time. Make sure your baby's head is generously protected by the (top of the) seat. Note : it is not a problem if the child's legs extend beyond the edge of the seat.

Original poster

marleymooo · 04/01/2015 13:18

Hi longest here is the review for the adventure, the discovery hasn't been reviewed.

Keep 4yo in 5 point harness or move to hbb?

OP posts:

longestlurkerever · 04/01/2015 14:48

Ah, thanks marley. That doesn't sound very good. Will have to do some more research. People on here seem to rate the evolva but don't think it has been reviewed by which either

dementedpixie · 04/01/2015 14:54

we had a maxi cosi rodi xr that was good/well padded, etc. I don't think they make that one any more but a similar one would probably be the maxi cosi rodi air protect - it is about £100 though

sockmatcher · 05/01/2015 14:31

I'd not move him up until absolutely necessary. Minimum age 4. Never before. Luckily you've got TWE. I'd use that rear facing til DC2 really outgrows infant Carrier

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