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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 seats- advice needed!

11 replies

cleo78 · 03/03/2010 13:57

I really need some advice about car seats for my 5 wk old DS. We don't live in the UK and (stupidly) bought a local made car seat as part of a travel system. We soon discovered that the car seat isn't very good and it doesn't seem as secure as we would want at all. As I'm going back to work very soon and will be driving DS to creche on my own, we obviously need to get something safe and secure. My dilemma is that car seats are so so so expensive here (hence why we bought local made first off) and I don't want to waste more money. This one will have to do the job!! We're travelling back to the UK in a few weeks and may even purchase one there. Do we have to get rear facing? Why exactly? What would you reccomend? And also, if we're flying, does anyone know what restrictions may or may not be in place for taking it back as hand luggage or for carrying him in if thats applicable? Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

EldonAve · 03/03/2010 15:22

they rear face until 9 months or more

britax baby safe or maxi cosi cabriofix will fit most cars

you would need to check it in to fly home but airlines usually don't charge extra

Original poster

cleo78 · 03/03/2010 15:49

Thanks!

OP posts:

lagrandissima · 03/03/2010 15:53

look at www.rearfacing.co.uk

The road safety officers mentioned on that website will respond to enquiries by email and phone if you are not UK based.

lagrandissima · 03/03/2010 15:56

BTW, you can have rear-facing seats imported to wherever you are from www.toddler.se. Some RF seats are suitable from birth to 4+ years. Some go from 12mths - 25kgs (about 6ys). Ideally you should try a car seat with your car, but the road safety officers on the above mentioned website are compiling a list of which car seats are compatible with which make and model of car. Well worth investigating thoroughly, as RF seats increase your LO's chances of surviving a frontal collision by 5 times.

Original poster

cleo78 · 03/03/2010 16:14

I'm now even more confused to be honest! Just been on the rearfacing.com site and it seems to say that most car seats are NOT rear facing and that this is a big problem?? I thought I HAD to have rear facing and that peoplw who didn't were being daft? Thanks for the link though...very interesting.

OP posts:

Tangle · 03/03/2010 16:31

In the UK, the USA, Canada, and all other countries that I know of that have any legislation, you MUST use a RF car seat for a baby under a certain age (usually 9 months to a year). Beyond that, guidance starts to vary. If your country has no legislation you can do what you like!

The RF website is looking more at the UK Group 1 seats (notionally 9 months to 4 years) - there's a large body of evidence to suggest that children are 5 times safer in a frontal impact if they are RF, and most heavy collisions have a significant frontal component.

I'm assuming that the country you're in doesn't have any formal legislation. It would be worth double checking as, if it does, a seat bought in the UK may not be legal (even if it's safe).

Loopymumsy · 03/03/2010 16:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

nicm · 03/03/2010 19:29

hi cleo78, if i were you i would look at a car seat like the KISS(klippan isofix safety system) from www.incarsafetycentre.co.uk

i got mine from there and it is an infant seat that slots into a frame and then sits more upright for larger toddlers. it would save you money as it is a true baby seat and then lasts to 18kgs(approx 4 years) with the frame.

Original poster

cleo78 · 04/03/2010 08:27

Right...it's all making more sense now! It was the group 1 thing that threw me! The country I'm in has NO legislation and I've even seen people driving with their babies in their arms...you can imagine how annoyed I get when trying to buy car seats and the guys don't know how to fit them- I've even been told that a bit of movement for the seat is good...hmm! We're now going to borrow one temporarily from a friend and buy one in the UK when we go back in a few weeks.

Thanks for the link nicm- going to have a look now as that sounds like a great idea!

OP posts:

Fizzielove · 20/07/2010 13:22

Can I ask where you are?

Carseatcrazy · 03/08/2010 21:17

Cleo- the KISS that nicm talked about also has a handy handle like a suitcase that pulls out of the baby part of the seat and little wheels integrated into the bottom - Just a thought, but this could be really really handy for you wheeling round the airport?.... This part of the seat can be put straight into the car for little ones under 9 months without the main base bit- so you could leave the base bit at home and just use the smaller bit on your trips over here, for the next 9 months....hope this is helpful

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