car seat experts over here please...

[NoBiggy]

How long can I keep my 18 month old in her rear-facing car seat? The top of her head is above the back of the seat, but only the top. She's over 10kg.

The issue, if you're wondering, I have the next seat up but it's occupied by her sister, who is only just 15kg (on some scales she comes up just under). Obviously, she's safer in her seat until she's 18kg. I don't intend to buy a second 9-18kg seat.

So, do I leave things until DD1 is a bit bigger (ie, definitely over 15kg), or go and get DD1 the next seat up tomorrow?

is she safer in her seat until she's 18kg?

Some are 10kg limit, some are 13kg , depends if a Stage 0 or 0+ seat. She sounds as if she may be getting in the large side fro it . For dd1 could you buy a 2 stage seat , so could continue to use a harness up to 18kg then highback from there - Britax Evolva 123 for example

Well I imagine so, as she has the 5-point harness (which is rated to 18kg). In the next seat, she's held by the car seatbelt.

How old is the older child?
Does 18mo really still fit in a rear-facing!!

Rearward-facing Baby Seats
Group 0: for babies up to 10 kgs (22 lbs) roughly from birth to 6-9 months, or
Group 0+: for babies up to 13kg (29lbs) roughly from birth to 12-15 months
They can be used in the front or rear of the car. It is safer to put them in the rear. DO NOT put them in the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag. Rearward-facing seats provide greater protection for the baby's head, neck and spine than forward-facing seats. So, it is best to keep your baby in a rearward-facing seat for as long as possible. Only move them to a forward-facing seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for the baby seat, or the top of their head is higher than the top of the seat. From here

Based on this younger child is no longer safe in the rear-facing seat.

Sorry, rear-facing seat rated to 13kg, forgot to mention.

Older child is 4. Both my children are rather trim

ChasingSquirrels, looks like I have to bite the bullet then!

I'm after an isofix, which limits my choice a bit. I didn't see one today with a harness.

multi-stage seat where you can have the 5-point harness upto 18kg then use with adult belt after would seem a good choice? Though more expensive than a simple stage 3 (if just looking for a stage 3 the Britax Hi-Liner is a good seat and argos and tesco direct usually have it for £30).
If you are interested in the Which? ratings for seats I can check them out for you.

this goes to 25kg with harness up to 18kg then a regular booster with seatbelt

The recommendation is that once your child is above the maximum weight for a rearward-facing seat or the top of their head is above the top of the seat , they should be moved into a forward-facing seat.

Therefore, IMO because of where your daughters head is in relation to the seat she needs to go into the second stage car seat now.

hth

do check out the 'Which?' website before you buy, to make sure you are getting a safe one. Many of them aren't great, even reputable brands which you would expect to be fine. You can subscribe for a month and see the reports for £1 I think.

Britax Evolva 2-3, any opinions?

I think I could pick one of these up tomorrow.

The evolva 123 would perfectly fit your needs as in you could keep your dd in the harness whilst she is still very light and then go to a stage 2 when she gets bigger - would save you lots of money.

I love the look of the one in LIZS link if you fancy an isofix. I have no experience of it but would be very interested in finding out about it if anyone has it. Would love to know what they think (or how well if did in tests) as i'm looking for a stage one isofix for dd3 over the next few months

sorry for mini-hijack

I have no experience of the Britax 2, 3 but can highly recommend the Maxi Cosi Rodi if you're looking at stage 2, 3 car seats.

I've had it for two of my dd's (dd 2 still in it) and never any probs. Has done consistantly well in tests too

Britax Evolva 2/3 ISOFIT
BEST BUY

This Best Buy seat from Britax did well in our tests, with a 'Good' overall crash safety rating. It's very similar to the Ultra model, but unusually for a seat in this group, the Evolva 2/3 uses Isofix.

Although the Isofix mounting for the base doesn't actually improve safety, it's more convenient to use than the Ultra version, which isn't held to the car except when the belted child sits in it.

This is the only difference between the Evolva 2/3 ISOFIT and Evolva 2/3 Ultra ? the ISOFIT allows you to lock the base to the Isofix mounts in your car, so when it's empty it won't fly around on the back seat.

Watch our video footage (see 'Crash test video') to see how the Evolva 2/3 ISOFIT fares in its crash test.

Pros: Safe, uses Isofix

Cons: None

from Which?

Just checked the Which report, which seems to be new. The Britax 2-3 Isofit is a best buy. So that's my mind made up.

Next question. If I get one of those sub-£50 ones for DP's car, the sort that the back comes off (I'm thinking it will stash in the boot quite well when not needed), are they good?

Silvercross Explorer
A seat for children from one year up to about four years (9 to 18 kg), this seat is installed forward facing, using the Isofix mounts and a top tether - so it is only suitable in Isofix mode for cars with the appropriate mounting points. Refer to manufacturer guidance before buying. It can also be fitted using the adult seat belt. It has an integral harness to secure the child.

It?s nicely padded and gives adequate leg support. But the instructions aren?t as clear as they might be and fitting it in the car and buckling up the child is harder than for many competitors. Using the seat belt, the belt routing is quite simple.

The finish quality is good but this is an unusual seat in that the cover is dry clean only.

In Isofix mode, front crash loads are acceptable and side crash loads low. In belted mode, the front crash loads are unacceptably high, leaving the child at risk of serious injury.

Pros: Good finish quality.

Cons: Seat cover must be dry-cleaned. Unacceptably high front crash loads when fixed with a seat belt. Needs to be used with three-point Isofix for acceptable crash protection.

Silvercross Explorer
Price (£) 170
Total score (%) 56
Availability Limited

no, they are crap, get a Britax Hi-Liner for £30 instead, back doesn't come off - but hey.

Thanks, we must have been there at the same time

sorry - that assumes you mean the basic polysterne ones.

Thanks for info on explorerfix

Don't think i'll be getting that one!!

nobiggy, if you want the 5 point harness you need the britax evolva 1-2-3, not just the evolva 2-3

Yes, I see that. But I reckon I'll forego the harness to get the isofix.

Is the hi-liner discontinued? I can't see it on Britax's website.

although, the only reason the isofix ones come out higher isb ecause you can't fit them incorrectly.
there is (afaik) no real evidence that it is safer than a correctly fitted non-isofix seat