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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

Car seat advice

15 replies

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 18:10

Ds2 is one & a half & currently in a car seat like the one pictured.
he is a very big boy, now currently pinching his big brothers clothes (aged 2-3/3-4)
So my question is when will be ok to move him into the next stage of car seat? (He will Definately not be able to fit in this one for much longer!!!)
I have one sitting already but as it is 2nd hand the label is a bit worn so can't see age/weight restrictions etc on it.

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LIZS · 07/12/2015 18:15

How heavy is he? Multi stage seats like Britax Evolva use a harness to 18kg then seatbelt as a booster but I think there may be some which use a harness longer.

IAmAPaleontologist · 07/12/2015 18:17

He should stay in this type for as long as possible so until he hits the max weight limit or until his eyes are level with the top of the seat.

If the next one you have is a high backed booster with a seatbelt then the minimum is 15kg but they really are not suitable for little ones. If it is still a harnessed seat then the weight for the harness will most likely be the same as the weight for the seat pictured.

Regarding the second hand seat, I'm sure you know but since you describe it as quite worn just be aware that seats do have a lifespan before the plastic degrades, usually between 5 and 8 years depending on manufacturer.

passmethewineplease · 07/12/2015 18:18

I'd go buy weight, they are safer ok the harness and the next stage really isn't suitable for him until at least four regardless of weight. There's a couple of seats that harness until 25kg. Will try and have a look now.

passmethewineplease · 07/12/2015 18:20

The britax advansafix is a good buy, pricey but a great seat that harnesses until 25kg.

passmethewineplease · 07/12/2015 18:23

Here's a bit of info as to why they don't recommend boosters until four regardless of weight..

Frazzled2207 · 07/12/2015 18:29

Depends on the weight restriction of the seat you want to move him into. I'm currently looking at group 2 seats for my 2yo but they have to be 15kilos and he's currently not quite that.

Original poster

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 18:32

The one I have sitting is the booster with high back & 5 point harness. ( his brother aged 3 is in one of these aswell at the moment)
Label is only worn as the cover has been washed a few times, seat is 2 years old at most, plastic & harness is still in full working condition.

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Original poster

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 18:34

The seat I have sitting is like this. (The page this is taken from doesn't have weight on it just age 3+)
I'm unsure of his exact weight at the moment but he is being weighed by health visitor this week anyway

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IAmAPaleontologist · 07/12/2015 18:51

Ok, the seat you have will most likely have a upper weight limit of 18kg with the harness and is technically suitable from 9 months just like your current forward facing seat though of course for a little one it is less comfortable and it doesn't provide as much support when they fall asleep etc so I'd keep him in the current seat until he is too tall for it and then move him. If he get to over 18kg before age 4 though then you'd need to think about finding a seat that stays harnessed for longer, I think some of the britax ones can be harnessed until 25kg and several of the extended rear facing seats would be suitable.

Original poster

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 18:57

Oh really? I didn't know they could go from 9months. That's useful.
His current one is really bulky & he ends up with his feet pretty squashed to the seat in front (regardless of how far forward u move it) so feel the other one would be a better fit. I've just checked his book & at his last check up he was 11.5kg but this was over months ago, so will be able to tell better after thurs when he is weighed I suppose.

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Original poster

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 18:57

Over 6 months ago

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IAmAPaleontologist · 07/12/2015 19:00

Generally speaking though they are safest in the seat for the youngest weight range until they hit the top weight rather than moving up at the lowest weight of the next seat up if that makes sense.

Original poster

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 19:03

Yeh Definately. I totally understand, he just looks a bit squashed at the minute, will check his weight this week before deciding wether or not to move him.

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passmethewineplease · 07/12/2015 19:05

Does he seem uncomfortable? If he's perfectly content I wouldn't change. The headrest on those ones aren't the greatest and don't seem to provide great support.

Original poster

Hawest1 · 07/12/2015 19:12

It depends on the car we r in, if it's a small car he looks really squashed & moans because the seat informer is so close so he can't move his feet. But bigger car like my mums keep he doesn't look that bad.
Yeh I have noticed that with my 3yo, when he falls asleep in the car he doesn't look comfy atall

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