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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

Which car seat for large 3 yo?

23 replies

Tiredandtorn · 26/12/2015 07:59

Hi, ds is a very tall but skinny 3yo (despite eating for Britain!) at 105 cm tall, he has outgrown his 2-way pearl - good timing as dd is ready to go into it now.
He has hyper mobility and slightly low muscle tone so can escape from most harnesses unless very secure so a 5 point harness is essential as is some sort or recline as we do a lot of longer car trips and he always nods off so I don't want his head falling forward.

I've wittled it down to:
Recaro young sport hero
Britax evolva
Grace natallis

Any thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks!

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Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 26/12/2015 08:00

Graco!!

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poocatcherchampion · 26/12/2015 08:09

Not on your list but I would go for the britax two way elite. It is great for tall children.

captaincake · 29/12/2015 23:54

How much does he weigh?

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 30/12/2015 16:16

2stone 6lbs

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madwomanacrosstheroad · 30/12/2015 16:25

I would look at the kiddy seats as you can use the impact cushion until child reaches max weight. They are more escape proof than harness. Also seat grows with child until no car seat needed.

captaincake · 30/12/2015 18:20

So he's 16.5kg and you would have the stop using the harness at 18kg on all those seats? As you're suggesting he's not near being able to use the adult belt I would look for a seat that uses a harness for longer. Britax advansafix or 2 way elite? Having seen the clip of the child being flung out the seat in a roll over test I wouldn't trust an impact shield personally but obviously your choice. You can also get a 5 point plus or a besafe belt collector to help stop him escaping the harness. Although personally I'm not convinced on the safety of the belt collector.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 30/12/2015 18:29

I've been looking at the britax advansafix today as it can use the harness up to 25kg. Absolutely not ready for seatbelt as advised by physio therapist plus he's simply not mature enough at just turned three to understand not to slip it off. The 2-way elite as was previously recommended seems to be out of stock everywhere I've looked.

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Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 30/12/2015 18:31

I've read negative things about the belt connector things too - I'm definitely after a 5 point harness

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captaincake · 30/12/2015 18:44

I've not heard anything bad about the 5 point plus though apart from it not always working. Have you tried the in car safety centre for the TWE if you're near enough to one? Hope you find a suitable seat soon.

PandasRock · 30/12/2015 18:52

The two way elite is a good seat, my dd2 used one for years - until she was nearly 7, as she is a tiny thing!

Ds is 3.6, and has just gone into an Advansafix. He is only average sized, and was OK in his previous seat - a 2way pearl - but it had to be replaced after a minor car accident so we went for a longer lasting seat. It's great, and will last him a few years.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 30/12/2015 19:53

I think I'm going to go for the advansafix - it looks like a roomy seat and will be that we have to buy for him. I like the slimline look of the elite but as I can't see a movable headrest in the pics ( could b wrong) I think something that'll grow with him as much as possible will be best. At 105 cm at 38 months, God knows how tall he'll be at 8!

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AliceMum09 · 30/12/2015 23:57

I'm pretty sure that the Two Way Elite will accomdate a taller child than the Advansafix. Have a look at this picture of the Two Way Elite, you can see how high the top slot for the straps is erfmission.wordpress.com/9-25-kg/britax-2-way-elite/

I've read lots of comments online that say you'd never actually be able to keep your child in the 5-point harness of the Advansafix until they weighed 25kgs because the harness just doesn't go up high enough. The moveable headrest is actually going to be a disadvantage I think.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 31/12/2015 08:36

Thanks - that's an interesting point. The TWE just doesn't seem to be available at the moment. I've checked: mothercare, kiddicare, halfords, Amazon and a google shops

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PandasRock · 31/12/2015 08:41

Are you anywhere near any of the InCar safety centres? They usually have the TWE in stock. You could also give them a call and ask about the height differences between the two seats - they are incredibly knowledgable and will help as much as they can over the phone.

SweetAdeline · 31/12/2015 08:41

I think Britax are in the process of "upgrading" some of their seats atm. We were in kiddicare showroom before Christmas and the guy who served us said the reason they only had the display advansafix left was because they were waiting for the newer version. Maybe it's the same with the twe. I'd phone them actually. They were very knowledgable when we went in.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 31/12/2015 08:54

No I'm not near at all. I will call them though, thanks. I've seen the new advantsafix, it is out of my price range at around £275 I'm afraid. I've found the previous model online for £199

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DragonmotherKhaleesi · 31/12/2015 09:23

We have a kiddy with a cushion for our 3 year old after coming out of his britax duel fix rf.
It's a great seat and will do him now until a seat is no longer needed at all.

AliceMum09 · 31/12/2015 09:36

I thought the TWE was only available from the In Car Safety Centre? They import it, if you look at the UK Britax website it's not listed.

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 31/12/2015 09:47

That would make sense Alicemum as I just found it while browsing their website

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poocatcherchampion · 31/12/2015 19:09

In car safety will courier a seat to you. You don't have to be nearby. I'd ring them for a chat and then order iiwy.

You can order online too but they should give some good advice in this instance

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 31/12/2015 19:25

I called them and they were very, very helpful. The advansafix is a good fit for my car and meets the spec ds needs. The elite is just a bit too pricy while I'm not working, unfortunately, so I've ordered the asvansafix at £199. If we find in a few years that he's out growing it then dd, who is a dinky thing compared to a big brother (barely 50th centile while he's always topped the 98th!!) can use the as advansifix and we'll have to come back to the drawing board for our lanky boy!! Thanks for all your help xx

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BertieBotts · 31/12/2015 19:27

If he's tall, forget anything which is only harnessed until 18kg. He'll outgrow it in height so it won't be any use. I think you've made a good choice :)

Original poster

Tiredandtorn · 31/12/2015 19:33

That's the good thing about the advansafix - it's harnessed to 25kg. I had a look at one in a shop today and he's got a fair bit of growing room before the head rest is fully extended. Although, the advisor was shocked that he was only just 3 and needed the head rest halfway up already! Lol! 😂😂

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