Lie-flat care seats?

[CalaLilly]

Has anyone used or bought a lie-flat car seat, particularly the new Jane Matrix Light? I am having a real struggle to find somewhere with staff who are trained to fit these so I don't know if it is safe to use in our car or not? We have the required type of seat belts in the back (2 3-point fastening seatbelts next to each other rather than an old-style lap belt in the middle). We've trialled the chair and have managed to get it in in a way that seems stable. However, the middle seat is slightly forward of the other 2 seats- something which I think is fairly standard in cars! Does anyone know if this will negate the ability to secure the Jane Matrix safely?!?

Thank you!

ps. the title should read car seat!!

Hi CalaLilly

I used a Jane lie flat car seat with both of my DC. And plan to use it again with DC3 who is on his/her way!

I really don't think the middle seat being forward should affect fitting the seat as it is the tension in the belts either end which keeps the seat in place. And it is the tummy strap within the actual seat which keeps baby safe.

I love the lie flat seat - I always think newborns look so hunched over in other seats. And both my children have been in the lie flat for months.

If you want some professional reassurance call Johnston Prams who are the UK reps for Jane. They are based in Ireland and I've always found them very friendly.

HTH

Thank you! Your advice about the tension thing has really reassured me!!

It is lovely to find someone who has used this car seat and understands it. I really don't understand why it's not more widely sold as it is so safe for baby in so many different ways (shoulder and hip positioning, oxygenation and breathing, safety testing- it's now understood to be one of the safest on the market yet people hark back to the old Which tests from the early naughties where an old model was put on their don't buy list- it has been off it for years and the latest model is up to all British safety standards), plus is it so practical too!

I agree, it's fantastic! And you can reach the baby much easier in the car to mop face / put in dummy. We also worked out pretty quickly that you don't need to undo the seatbelts each time you take it in and out. You just take up the tension each time you want to put it in.

Another recommendation is the Phil & Ted's cocoon. I put my newborn in it to sleep when I'm planning to go out soon. That way I just pick up the cocoon, put it in the seat, fasten the strap around the cocoon and off we go without needing to disturb baby at all. Admittedly it's only for very early days as it's a bit of squash in the seat with the cocoon as well!

In fact my newborns spend a lot of time in the cocoon full stop. It's like having a moses basket but is much more portable. Great for visiting friends.

Like yourself Loopmumsy, a lot of people don't realise how safe the new Matrix Light is and tar it with the same brush as the older models (none of which have actually been involved in any fatal crashes in the UK- reports actually show that, despite the which's tests, babies have been well protected in them).

I've done lots and lots of reading on it so could spout a lot about them.. I found this link particularly helpful:
www.nursery-online.com/newsview.asp?date= (look for title "Jané scoops double gold at Practical Parenting Awards towards the bottom of the page)
This sentence was particularly reassuring- and this comes from wider sources than the manufacturers themselves.
"Safety is also a feature of the Matrix Light car seat, which parents and industry experts are now saying is one of the safest and well-designed on the market."

Part of my job involves assessing the safety of how babies lie/ sit in their car seats so this is a crucial thing for my own first born. I don?t actually know if Which have reviewed the new seat as I don?t have a subscription. From what I can tell, they haven?t reviewed passed the Matrix Cup which, as far as I?m aware, only adheres to European and not British standards.