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Original poster

Do I really need the isofix base?

28 replies

Alanares89 · 15/10/2018 13:17

Hello :)

I’m 35 weeks and I have everything and more in for my first babys arrival, but not the isofix base, and now I’m thinking do I really need one? I got the cybex cloud which is a great car seat with lots off saftey features on it anyway. I’m in the process of buying my first home and I am so cash strapped it’s unreal, I was all for the isofix base but now I’m thinking if I could save £100 then that could help me towards the house.

Please no comments back saying your choosing your child’s saftey over a household good! I know as long as the seat is secured with a belt then the seat is secured the best way it can be!

Did anyone else not bother with the base?
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Pebblespony · 15/10/2018 13:18

We got a base but had no fixture in the car. It was fine.

treaclesoda · 15/10/2018 13:19

You can do without it but it's so much more convenient that you'd probably think it was worth it.

PotteringAlong · 15/10/2018 13:20

I’d get the base. It’s so much easier and, although the seat is just as safe if fixed with the seatbelt, there’s a lot less chance of human error when you’re knackered.

Mammmoo · 15/10/2018 13:21

We don't have one. As long as you can strap them in correctly there is research suggesting they're no less safe.

Like you say it's a big expense. IMO lots of people get them more because they perceive strapping them in to be a faff. It really isn't!

SandysMam · 15/10/2018 13:22

It was the best money we ever spent. When your knackard and it’s chucking down with rain to not have to faff with a seatbelt is worth every penny.

BumbleBerries · 15/10/2018 13:23

Fitting a car seat correctly can be tricky, especially when you're tired/stressed. If you intend to leave the car seat in the car and take the baby out for shopping or getting in the house then I think you're fine without. If you intend to use a travel system then I think you're better off getting the base.

If fitted correctly safety will be the same.

Original poster

Alanares89 · 15/10/2018 13:24

The convience off the base is exactly what I love about it, no human error and easy for grandparents! It’s just me and my partner shared a bake tottie and cheese for our dinner last night to save on money lol!

OP posts:

Original poster

Alanares89 · 15/10/2018 13:26

I will mostly be walking about anyway as the shops are so conviently close to us and to help with shedding the pounds lol

OP posts:

AmazingGrace16 · 15/10/2018 13:28

Could you get one second hand?
I would feel more comfortable getting a base second hand than the car seat.

greendale17 · 15/10/2018 13:28

Yes yes and yes. It is sooooo easy and safer

ThomasRichard · 15/10/2018 13:30

Get it if you can, but the car seat will work perfectly well without it as long as you check you’ve fitted it properly every time.

Original poster

Alanares89 · 15/10/2018 13:30

Never even thought off second hand! Probably should look into that actually, thank you!

Literally have so much on my mind right now I can’t even function properly! Thank you x

OP posts:

catshart · 15/10/2018 13:32

I wouldn't bother, especially if you're cash strapped. We've never had one for our 2 dcs, just used the seatbelt. It's really not hard, takes about 20 seconds tops.
If we had a car and car seat that fitted isofix then we probably would have gone for it, but purely for laziness reasons

BergamotMouse · 15/10/2018 13:32

I'm not sure how the car seat fits but we took an older hand me down car seat on holiday without the isofix base and it was a real faff strapping it in every time. If it's one that you can strap in and get baby in and out whilst it remains strapped in (like older age ones are) I'd say you don't need a base. If you need to restrap it every time I'd definitely get a base.

Agree with PP about seeing if you can find one second hand. I imagine the advice about second hand car seats doesn't apply to bases (feel free to correct me if wrong).

Original poster

Alanares89 · 15/10/2018 13:34

I think what I’ll do is try the seat in the car, judge me on fitting it then go from there. It does look really simple from the YouTube videos but everything goes lol thanks again

OP posts:

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 15/10/2018 13:35

I didn’t bother with one- we just made sure it was strapped in properly. People act as if strapping them in involves the same level of complexity as launching the space shuttle- it doesn’t. I took a video of DH installing it and sent it to my parents so they had a reference if they ever felt unsure, but it was so straightforward they didn’t need it.

Also- when dd got bigger and heavier I just kept the seat in the car instead of bringing it in and out of the house. No base meant I could strap her in with the car seat facing me, and then spin her round and strap the car seat in without the base getting in the way.

ingenvillvetavardukoptdintroja · 15/10/2018 13:37

No base, no problems here

Lost5stone · 15/10/2018 13:40

We didn't as couldn't find one without a leg and can't use a leg in our car. It was honestly about 30 seconds longer. It's slightly more convenient but you won't feel like your missing out.

Also this was helpful:

No base meant I could strap her in with the car seat facing me, and then spin her round and strap the car seat in without the base getting in the way.

bonzo77 · 15/10/2018 13:40

You can leave the seat strapped in. Just slide baby in and tuck feet under lap part of belt then belt in baby. Unless you use a buggy that will take the car seat. Which TBH is not that useful if you’re following time guidelines for duration of car seat use.

Charlottejade89 · 15/10/2018 13:47

we haven't got one. Just seemed an unnecessary waste of money to me. it literally takes about 15 seconds to strap in a car seat. and the iso fix base cant be easily removed so if you need to use the car for other things you will lose a seat

kmreeve · 15/10/2018 13:57

I just got a second hand isofix base for my new car seat .. they are £120 new, I paid £30 from Facebook selling site.. but just as cheap on eBay etc.

It's very much a necessity for me, iv had three babies and it's much quicker to click n go.. like today, in the pouring rain I would have got bleeding soaked faffing with the seatbelt!

Plus, you know it's in right and no second guessing- defo have a look at second hand if you can spare the ££

shirleyschmidt · 15/10/2018 14:09

It's true you can manage without, but your back will thank you for the option of simply dropping the seat straight onto the base, no extended leaving over and rooting about finding the seatbelt and hooking it over etc. Especially in bad weather! I couldn't have been without mine, if you can get one you definitely won't regret it.

shirleyschmidt · 15/10/2018 14:09

*leaning over

unicornchaser · 15/10/2018 18:33

Not a necessity but I'd say handy. My travel system didn't come with a base but I got a second hand one for £25 from fb marketplace. It is a lot easier to just clip in but you'd get used to strapping in quickly enough anyway if you decide against it....

trilbydoll · 15/10/2018 18:38

My two are 5 and 3 now and I maintain that strapping a child into the car while it's raining is in the Top 5 of Miserable Experiences With Children.

You don't need one but if you're having a bad day, strapping the car seat in might be the thing that tips you over the edge! Also you might drive off without strapping it in at all like I did, several times

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