Car seat for putting in plane hold

[Skyglimmer]

Hi,

I am a bit stuck on what to do so thought I would try here. We are hiring a car when we go to the EU and we are going to take our eldest's Britax Kidfix. My youngest is still in a Joie 360 spin and the next seat we were going to buy was the Britax Kidfix when they reach the height requirements. Buying one just for the trip seems fairy wasteful as she will likely be going into the the Britax Kidfix at the end of the year/start of next year.

I am not sure what to do, do we risk a hire car seat? I have heard bad things about hiring car seats so I am worried.

I know plenty people would happily hire a car seat but I wouldn’t risk it. We hired one once out of necessity as we were moving abroad and our seat here wasn’t legal where we were moving too. The seat we were given for our 7 month old was awful. We were initially offered a FF seat (legal in that country at that age!) which we obviously declined, and eventually we managed to get a RF one, but it was dreadful and it still makes me feel slightly sick when I think about it.
We always take our own seats now. Either in the original box or in a car seat bag, padded with loads of bubble wrap.
I’m a bit confused my your question though about buying one for the trip. Do you mean your youngest will be using your eldest seat next year. What will your eldest be using then?

I would either take your existing one or if big enough bring forward buying a second belted booster or buy your elder cd a high back booster without a best if big enough

Thank you, that is why I don't want to hire one. My eldest is in a high back booster and we are planning on buying my youngest the same car seat that he has so they will both be in the same seat. She is 4 but isn't 100cm yet so isn't big enough. I don't think there is any way we can take her Joie 360 with us as it's massive.

My eldest has a high back booster my youngest isn't big enough for one. She is in the Joie spin so its big 😬

I would not hire a seat. You can’t know it hasn’t been in a crash.

the ideal would be to get a seat that is approved to use in flight. Then you can just use it on the plane instead of putting it in the hold. The child will be better secured and you will know the seat isn’t getting tossed around.

we have also just ordered something inexpensive and had it delivered to our destination. This works best if we are taking a train or bus from the airport to the hotel and not getting the car until later.

Ah, yes. She is a little small to be considering a HBB. I’d honestly take your Joie 360. I’ve taken our BeSafe ERF many times with no issues.

Just not sure how we would package it for the plane. Would also need to make sure the hire car has ISO fix but hopefully that wouldn't be an issue.

I think you should be fine with isofix, it’s been fairly standard for many years now. Lots of bubble wrap and you can purchase a car seat bag off Amazon for very little.

Can you not take it onboard with you? The risk of damage, particularly unseen, would make me cautious of putting it in the hold.

No it isn't suitable for taking it on the plane. It is ISO fix with a base on it.

Ask around local mums groups, free giving pages etc.

Can probably find something that’s easier to transport and more of a ‘known’ quantity than a rental one.

Which EU country? Quite a few countries I would be ok with a hired one.

We are traveling to Denmark

What about a joie stages? Check the weight / height limits, but they used to be less than £100, and you belt them in so much easier to carry with you. If you pad it out with bubble wrap in a car seat travel bag, then it should be ok? We have one as our spare for taxis etc.

I would rent in Denmark. No doubts. We have done then our was younger. Scandinavian is quite reliable.

Could she fit in a Halford's Impala? It's rear facing and up to 105cm. I think the shell is short like the old Joie Tilt, though.

If that is a no go maybe look at Graco Extend R129 or Graco Slimfit R129.

Not sure on the safety rating for the Impala. Still so hard to know what to do as expensive to buy a new seat just for one trip.

As it's a rear facing seat, the safety rating doesn't really matter. Any rear facing seat provided the child fits well and it's properly installed will provide a good level of safety.

Thank you. I think I might go for that one as it's a good price. She's still rear facing in the 360 seat so will be happier if she is rear racing.

If you can, I would take her into the shop to try it out because she is of course at the larger end of the age range for both of the seats. The Joie 360 is pretty roomy, so I'm not sure how the Impala compares. If it is similar to the old Joie Tilt, some children were growing out of it at about 2.5 years despite being within the weight range for it still.

If she is too big you might manage OK with Joie Stages or Graco Extend, which are about £90.

Thanks, that's a good idea. It does say 105cm so hopefully ok.