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Original poster

Car seat stress

16 replies

Dolly87 · 17/01/2015 22:50

Hi there looking for some advice.

We went to pick up our car seat and base yesterday from a local independent shop. We have went for the maxi cosi cabrio fix and the 2wayfix base. Tried to fit t in our car today and there doesn't seem to be a lot of room between the cabrio and the passenger seat. Have to have the passenger seat upright and right forward which means whoever is travelling passenger (most often to be me) will have their knees jammed up against the dashboard. Having a stress about what to do, is this normal? I'm sure we can exchange the base for the familyfix but not sure if it will help the space situation and I really wanted a 2way so that I could have baby rear facing for as long as possible. Anyone know what the regulations are for space between car seat and seat in front and would it be terrible for the seat to touch the one in front? There is no information on this whatsoever in the manual. Arghhh! Also does anyone know if Halfords will check your car seat even if you haven't bought it from them? I'm sure the shop where we bought it from will check for us but wanted to go tomorrow to find out. Thanks xx

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AnythingNotEverything · 17/01/2015 22:55

I think (although can't remember where online I read this, but it's what we work to) that you need to be able to fit your forearm through the gap between the baby seat and the back of the passenger seat.

It's an issue with ERF seats - they do need a lot of room.

sockmatcher · 17/01/2015 22:56

You could just get a easy fix base £80 and a full ERF when time comes.
Its fine for seat to touch. In fact with most ERF its recommended.

Original poster

Dolly87 · 17/01/2015 23:12

Ok so one for touching, one for a gap. Thanks ladies, I do think the the lack of info on this is making me stressed out more ha. Sock matcher, we bought the 2way base so that we can have the car seat rf too when time comes xx

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Pico2 · 17/01/2015 23:23

Have you checked www.maxi-cosi.co.uk/gb-en/products/car-seats/car-fitting-list.aspx to see if the combination is listed for your car?

HerrenaHarridan · 17/01/2015 23:28

I got the matey at halfords to check my seat even though it wasn't one sold by them. He basically said. I'll have a look and tell you what I see but I'm not technically qualified so advice is at your own risk.

Re touching the seat. Some are definitely designed to. I've never heard any one say they shouldn't touch the seat in front.
If it's an issue can you sit in the back?

Pico2 · 17/01/2015 23:32

I'm confused about the question of it touching the seat in front. We had one with DD and I'm sure it wasn't meant to touch. We now have one for our baby - due in a few days and I've read the instructions and they don't seem to say either way.

sleepybee · 18/01/2015 07:15

Sorry I know nothing about this, but surely the instruction guide wouldn't say either way (touching/not touching) as this would depend on the type of car it is being fitted too

Olivo · 18/01/2015 07:22

Can you go back to the shop you bought it from? Usually they offer to check if it is suitable for your type of car before you buy, as not everything is suitable for every car. Then if not suitable, ask them to exchange.

katandkits · 18/01/2015 07:24

I have a baby and a two year old. Unfortunately anyone driving or being a front passenger in my car has to sit bolt upright, baby seats do take up a lot of room. Do you have a small car? You can use the car seat without a base

Pointlessfan · 18/01/2015 07:29

We bought an ERF car seat last week and had it fitted at a specialist shop. They said it mustn't touch the passenger seat but I don't know whether that was a general rule or specific to the seat we bought.

Waggamamma · 18/01/2015 07:35

I have the cabriofix and the easyfix base. I also have a small car (citreon c3) so unfortunately the passenger doesn't have much space at all (6ft 1" dh doesn't fit). Child seats take up a lot of space.

DH has a Peugeot and there's a bit more room in that.

Iamrandom · 18/01/2015 07:41

It's definitely not a general rule as the besafe izi kid ERF states that it must touch the passenger seat in front however I guess it may be different for different seats. Think you may have to contact maxi cozi to be sure for this particular seat.

sockmatcher · 18/01/2015 08:15

Dolly there are better RF seats than maxi cosi. Personaly I'd save £100 now and get an easy fix base and put that with the £200 you would have spent on the pearl2 way and get a ERF that will give your child longer ERF.

I think the 2way family fix is an expensive and small ( in leg room and height of child system)
I've been campaigning for ERF for years and think maxi cosi are overpriced here.

sockmatcher · 18/01/2015 08:18

Also if you have another child within 4 years you'll find you'll be spending at again. My suggestion means you will at least have infant carrier and base and when any new baby outgrows that you may need a new RF seat or you may not depending on age of older child.

Wilford · 18/01/2015 08:23

As long as the seat is fitted securely to its base then whether or not it's touching the front passenger seat is of no consequence safety wise. Unfortunately small cars often have this problem. It's often not possible for another adult to travel in the front seat while the baby seat is fitted. Only option would be a bigger car

Original poster

Dolly87 · 18/01/2015 09:50

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your help it does seem however,
opinion is still mixed on this so going to phone the shop we bought it from and take it in for them to show us properly and we might have to re think what we do. We have a BMW 1-Series and the maxicosi website states that it fits what we have. I'm sure we will get the problem fixed, thanks xx

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