Which baby+toddler car seat to buy when I don't have a car?

[kingfisher657]

DS is almost 9 months old and so tall that he's about to grow out of his infant car seat (I blame DH who is also very tall!) We don't own a car, but sometimes need to ride in taxis or friends' cars, so we have a Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus on loan from a friend. This system works really well.

I am struggling to figure out what to buy once he grows out of it, though. It's a pretty unique set of requirements...

• must be able to strap in using the seatbelt instead of only using a base, and must not take ages to set up while the taxi is waiting (this is easy to find for infant carriers but doesn't seem very common for the next size up)
• must have the ability to be rear-facing at least to start (as DS is still young even though he's not small - I think guidelines are to be rear-facing until 15 months?)
• must fit him for the next few years, ideally (I think up to 4 years is normal for the next size up, which with his height will hopefully take us to at least his 2nd birthday!!)

Any recommendations from other car-free mums?!

Many thanks!

My oldest was on the 99.8 centile for height and her baby seat lasts until she was early one, are you sure you’ve taken out all the inserts?

Joie do one which seat belts in and rear faces.

Joie stages - we have it as a 2nd seat for MIL car etc. OK to get in and out and getting quicker with practice!

Thank you both - I'll have a look at the Joie Stages!

@Duracellbunnywannabe it might well last until he's 1, his growth is slowing but the top of his head is just a few cm away from the edge which is apparently when it's time to upgrade. Not sure how much longer it will actually be but don't want to get caught out

Joie stages. Seat belts in, isn't super expensive and lasts for AGES!
You eventually hide the toddler straps and it becomes a high back booster so in theory could last you a very long time. There is an isofix one as well as a seat belt one.

Joie steadi or Joie stages. Does exactly what you need :)

15 months is minimum for rear facing under newer legislation but actually it's better for them to be rear facing for as long as you can. Personally I'd stick with rear facing in these seats as they don't have much built in in the way of protection forward facing except for the obvious five point harness etc. Most fixed forward facing seats have features like an Isofix support leg, belt tensioners, belt path securing all different parts of the seat etc whereas these are pretty basic and just click in with the seatbelt. The rear facing belt path is different and does go all the way around so it's more protective. Rear facing in itself is protective too because it keeps their head, neck, spine all in alignment which helps reduce the chance of any neck injuries which can be pretty serious in small children.