Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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.

Original poster

Car seat advice for non-drivers

34 replies

Paaseitjes · 27/07/2025 07:17

Please help out a new parent overwhelmed by choice!

We live overseas in a city where we will genuinely never need a car. However, my ILs live in rural England. If there is a bus, it's probably pulled by a donkey. I want to order a car seat to their house so they can pick us up safely from the airport. I didn't realise how many were on the market and a lot are different to what is available here, so I can't really go to a shop to look. Is there a seat that meets some or best still all of my requirements?

  • multi age: baby will be 9m on first trip. I think it's safer to have an adaptable seat even if its a bit less safe/comfortable than to find he's grown too much in the airport carpark.
  • easy to fit, ideally with a seat belt rather than base so that it can be switched between cars, and so that we can fit it without much practice/6m later when the instructions have got lost.
  • not too big since there will be 4 adults in the car and it needs to be stored.
  • ideally not mega bucks since it will only be used 2-3 weeks per year.

I know MN will slaughter me for saying so, but it doesn't have to be the absolute safest model since it's only going to be used 2-3 weeks per year. An idiot-proof less-safe model will be safer in the long run than a super-safe super-complicated one that we mess up and baby outgrows.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Groundhogday20205 · 27/07/2025 09:41

BertieBotts · 27/07/2025 09:35

Unfortunately it is legal. Though I agree there are much better options for a 9mo particularly on rural roads with questionable driving.

Show quote history

It’s 15 months (I would say thankfully, but even 15 months blows my mind as being legal)
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

Child car seats: the law

The rules for child car seats and booster seats - height, weight, age, type of vehicle, car, minibus, licensed taxi

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

NameChange30 · 27/07/2025 09:45

Groundhogday20205 · 27/07/2025 09:41

It’s 15 months (I would say thankfully, but even 15 months blows my mind as being legal)
https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

Show quote history

That link clearly states that if using old regulation seats (R44) the stage 1 forward facing seats are legal for babies weighing 9kg or more. Which is insane, but there we are.

Groundhogday20205 · 27/07/2025 09:57

NameChange30 · 27/07/2025 09:45

That link clearly states that if using old regulation seats (R44) the stage 1 forward facing seats are legal for babies weighing 9kg or more. Which is insane, but there we are.

Show quote history

This is an old seat is it? I didn’t think there were many stocked anymore… of course Halfords would stock them though. Awful retailer for car seats.

I know there many groups campaigning for the UK government to extend rear facing to 4. Fingers crossed. It’s pretty shameful given the amount of scientific evidence that 15 months is still not old enough that nothing has changed.

TheLette · 27/07/2025 10:06

OP you'd be better off asking this on a FB group dedicated to car seat safety. They may also be able to recommend a retailer local to your parents who can fit the seat. That kind of group will have people who actually know what they are talking about.

Personally I wouldn't get a seat that will last forever. They don't tend to be the best at any stage and they are quite heavy/bulky when you don't need that when baby is in a high back booster. I'd focus on getting a decent rear-facing seat to take you to age 4-5 (or older, if possible) and then a good high back booster. Yes it's more expensive in the long run but you get a much more age-appropriate and convenient set up.

Don't buy from Halfords.

Also consider how you will all fit in the car - will it be your parents but you, your husband/partner and baby? It can be a real squeeze in the back with a car seat, if so. One option is to put baby in the front seat with airbag off (if car seat and car manuals allow this) and then 3 adults go in the back.

BertieBotts · 27/07/2025 12:37

OP, do you have an infant carrier type seat maybe which might have come with your pram? Most 9mos will still fit this type of seat, and you can bring car seats on the plane free of charge (in the hold, which I appreciate is not ideal.)

That might be good to use for this trip and then you can see how old LO is and whether a forward facing seat is appropriate next time.

NameChange30 · 27/07/2025 13:02

BertieBotts · 27/07/2025 09:25

I wouldn't use a Zoomi for a 9mo - it's essentially a backless booster with a back on it that the only purpose of is to attach straps to. In terms of cost and size you can get much better. There might be a time and place for the Zoomi but this is not it IMO.

In your position I'd either do a combo of two seats - Halfords Impala or Graco Extend r129 or Joie Tilt for now until whenever you feel you prefer forward facing, and then Cosatto On the Go or Maxi Cosi Nomad XL, either of those are a good option. (If baby is smaller for age you could also stick with the first seat until they are about 4 and then change to a cheap or foldable high back booster).

If you really really don't want to do two seats, see if your parents can borrow any rear facing seat for your 9mo and then get one of the folding ones for later.

The problem is all the seats which combine rear facing and high back booster are enormous or expensive.

This is all the advice you need, @OP. Bertie is a car seat expert so just follow her advice and ignore everyone else!

Original poster
Paaseitjes · 27/07/2025 18:05

BertieBotts · 27/07/2025 12:37

OP, do you have an infant carrier type seat maybe which might have come with your pram? Most 9mos will still fit this type of seat, and you can bring car seats on the plane free of charge (in the hold, which I appreciate is not ideal.)

That might be good to use for this trip and then you can see how old LO is and whether a forward facing seat is appropriate next time.

Unfortunately not! We bought a yoyo because it fits on public transport well. I can possibly borrow one though, which hasn't occured to me. A bit sleep deprived here...

DH has half fixed the problem and proposed we invite his parents here for Christmas. Then i can postpone the choice until the baby is a bit bigger. Thanks for all your advice!

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 27/07/2025 20:21

Yes definitely make them come to you! Much easier for them to travel to you than the other way around, especially when baby is so small.

fakeflower · 10/08/2025 19:49

The joie steadi we used for this reason. Can be rear or forward facing and is newborn to 4 years roughly. Lightweight, seatbelt fitting only, quite cheap. Graco extend is cheaper and looks identical (same company I think).

After this seat you could buy a cheap booster seat like the joie i-trillo.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page