Clueless about carseats

[Thisismyfirstrodeo]

I'd really appreciate some advice!

My son is 14 months and I need the next stage carseat. We don't own a car so this is for holidays/taxi rides, so I need the carseat to be able to fix with the belt only too. I assume that this means the carseat will always be forward-facing when secured with the seatbelt, but it could have a rear-facing option with ISOFIX?

I was looking at the maxi-cosi nomad but I think my son is too small for it and obviously it is only forward-facing. Are there any other travel friendly carseats out there that might be a bit safer?

[NameChange30]

I think that Joie seats are quite good, decent safety ratings, light and inexpensive... there is one that people often recommend for travel but I forget which, sorry!

If you're on Facebook there's a group called Car Seat Advice U.K. which is very helpful. Or find your nearest specialist retailer on this list and visit or call them: www.carseatadvice-uk.com/specialist-retailers.html

[NameChange30]

Also, it's important to consider your child's size - if they are on the high centiles for height and/or weight, you will find that they outgrow car seats more quickly, so you would ideally get one with room to grow (some seats have taller shells than others, for example).

I think it's the Joie Steadi that I've heard people recommend.

[Sprogonthetyne]

I second joie. The they attach with seatbelts and rear face until 18kg (4 ish). We used to have the tilt which is small so easy to store, carry and will fit in almost any car. It's also affordable, we paid £50 in sale, but even full price it would only be £70(this was a few years ago). Only problem is, it is very compact and doesn't go beyond 18kg, so you would be buying again in a couple of years.

Alternatively you could go with the stages or all stages, which convert to HBB, so would be more future proof. We moved on to stages when DS got to tall for the tilt, and got another 6 months before he reached 18kg, and we had to turn it.

[NameChange30]

This is helpful
erfmission.com/extended-rear-facing-car-seats-that-wont-break-the-bank-seatbelt-install/

[Lavender2021]

Joie for seat belt and will do rear facing till 18kg. Axkid do an isofix seat till 23kg or 125cm takes less than a minute to install but is £600 so expensive for a seat that isn't used much and it's light. 18kg isofix seats are normally heavy.

[NameChange30]

I'd get the Joie Steadi I think. Found it for £89.75
pramstores.com/joie-steadi-group-0-1-car-seat-coal-new-2020/

[Thisismyfirstrodeo]

This is all very helpful thanks. I’m looking at the Joie seats. I think up to 18kg is OK as hopefully we’ll have a second child then and need another seat anyway.
Am I right in that the tilt is just a bit smaller and lighter, whereas the steadi is perhaps a bit more comfy / safe? It’s hard to tell the difference!

[NameChange30]

Steadi lasts longer because the headrest is a bit taller I think.

[Thisismyfirstrodeo]

Actually tilt isn’t available in my country. Steadi it is! Thanks again for all advice!

[DockOTheBay]

Joie Stages (NOT Joie everystage) can be secured rearfacing with seatbelt, or forward facing with seat belt. Suitable from birth to age 7.

[welshweasel]

I would get the joie stages and use rear facing (belt fitted) until 18kg then reassess options at that point. It’s much more universal fitting than the tilt or steadi and will last longer height wise too. I have travelled all over the world with one and yet to find a hire car/taxi I couldn’t make it fit. It’s super easy to install but make sure you’re aware of the short seatbelt method which may be needed in some cars.