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Original poster

Car seat dilemma!

29 replies

MissMoodyMoo · 19/01/2019 12:50

So I have bought a travel system which obviously comes with a car seat that clips on to the chassis and have also got the isofix that clips into the car. But I just feel like it's a bit flimsy and am considering buying this mini mouse rear facing proper seat in the george baby event that does from new born and up that Will stay permanently in car. Luckily I have a big boot so can pop the full pram in there. Which means the isofix can go into daddys car for the rare occasion he takes her out in it. What I want to know is
1- how long is a baby in the travel system car seat?
2- is buying another car seat a waste of money?
3- would a proper seat be safer or am I worrying for no reason?.

Car seat dilemma!
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Pitapotamus · 19/01/2019 12:53

Which car seat is it that comes with the travel system - if you give us the make and model we can help a bit more...

Jackshouse · 19/01/2019 12:56

I would not be buying that one. I suspect it’s not very safe at all. The baby will be too up right in that seat. Is it tearing facing? It’s doesnt look it.

Stage 0 seats are safest for babies. Depending on the size of your baby they will be in the first stage for up to a year.

The Swedish tests are the most rigorous. You need to look at how they have rated the car seat.

There is a brilliant car seat Facebook page called car seat advice UK.

GrumpyGoose · 19/01/2019 12:57

Second the advice for the car seat group on Facebook, as I understand it the character ones aren't particularly safe and usually only crash tested at 30mph I think I read.

PotteringAlong · 19/01/2019 12:59

Which seat do you get with the travel system?

For what it’s worth, none of mine were out of their first stage car seat (maxicosi cabriofix) before 18 months.

Original poster
MissMoodyMoo · 19/01/2019 13:00

My travel system is the isafe marvel one with isofix. Also the minnie mouse one is real racing and is able to tilt I think🙈 I'm so stressed out I just want baby to be as safe as possible 😢

OP posts:
LillyBugg · 19/01/2019 13:03

There is no way that Minnie Mouse seat is the safest available. In my experience all character seats are pretty crap when it comes to safety. You need to do some serious research, I would highly recommend the Facebook group already mentioned.

kmreeve · 19/01/2019 13:22

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable putting a dolly in that car seat.

Although it says from birth, it truly isn't suitable.

Maybe a trip into mothercare to get some advice on car seats would be helpful.

Xx

Pitapotamus · 19/01/2019 13:32

If you want the safest seat possible look into the cybex ones. They sell them in mothercare.

timeforachangeithink · 19/01/2019 13:37

Please do not waste your money on this seat. They are rebranded nania car seats and notoriously poor. Avoid anything with that type of straps as they are all rebranded nania. See scary crash test

If you want something safe and long lasting on a budget look at the joie car seats tilt/steadi/stages.

BitOfAKerfuffle · 19/01/2019 14:01

Do not buy that minnie mouse seat ! They have an utterly crap safety rating. Not suitable for a newborn and only rearface to 10kg which is around 9 months and is too early to turn a baby forward facing.
You can get suitable rearfacing seats from birth to 4 years however these are usually a lot more expensive we have one now and my almost 3 year old still rearfaces but it was around £300-400
Either use the group 0 baby carrier u have for now or visit your nearest in-car safety centre (not mothercare etc) to seek further expert advice

BitOfAKerfuffle · 19/01/2019 14:03

Or as previous poster said look into the joie seats which are much less expensive but have a much better safety record than the supermarket style seats (i wish they would make them supermarket/character seats illegal !)

Bamchic · 19/01/2019 14:07

Have a look at Joie stages or every stage xxx Minnie Mouse isn’t that safe

WeeDangerousSpike · 19/01/2019 14:16

OP my first step would be to look at actual reviews / testing on your travel system seat so you can make a proper decision on if it's safe enough. Then if it is (it looks a damn sight safer than the mouse one!) get an extra base for the other car so you can transfer it easily if that's an issue?

Also, don't underestimate the usefulness of being able to lift a sleeping baby in their seat out of the car for a quick wizz round tesco and back in the car without waking. Seriously.

Sunshinegirl82 · 19/01/2019 15:43

In car safety centre are excellent and will give you really good advice (they can do this over the phone or by email)

If you want a seat that stays in the car you want to look for one that will allow baby to rear face until at least 18kg. That said, baby is probably safest in the infant carrier. If you are unsure about the one you have you could look at the maxi cosi systems online. Cybex are also good.

As others have mentioned if cost is an issue I would look at Joie as a brand as they have some very good seats at fairly reasonable prices.

RogueV · 19/01/2019 17:25

Have a look at:

Maxi Cosi
Cybex
Britax

You need a proper safety tested one

TulipsInbloom1 · 19/01/2019 17:27

The infant car seat you have will be safer for the baby than this one. Then when baby is too heavy for the infant seat you could look at purchasing the next stage up.

Jackshouse · 19/01/2019 17:42

Besafe are also a good brand.

Smoggle · 19/01/2019 17:47

A decent infant seat will be much safer for a baby than a cheap generic character seat.
Only move your baby into the next seat when they outgrow the infant one.

ILiveForNachos · 19/01/2019 18:17

Character/narnia seats are definitely the worst you can buy. The Facebook group everyone is mentioning is brilliant for the search function, fact sheets and asking advice if still stuck. If money is an issue, Mothercare do 0% finance offers that means you can pay monthly. Better than buying a cheap seat outright.

Pitapotamus · 19/01/2019 21:37

I know they advise against buying car seats second hand in case the seat as been in an accident but I would consider second hand if money was an issue.

Personally I think most people are pretty honest when it comes to something that would affect a baby’s safety and so I would just ask outright whether the seat had been in an accident and I’d trust the response.

3boysandabump · 19/01/2019 21:46

That mini mouse seat is one of the unsafe ones. Any that have those straps should be avoided really.

Pigriver · 19/01/2019 22:13

My ds was in his infact seat until 14 months then in the joie spin 360 which can face either way. That can be used from birth-4 and is worth the extra money imo.
The joie tilt is about £80 and belted rear facing and gets good reviews. Goes from birth -4 years.
The joie stages is approx £150 and lasts from birth - 7 years I think.

sar302 · 19/01/2019 22:30

Do not buy a second hand car seat as suggested above. There is no way to tell whether or not it is in good condition, you are putting your baby's life in the hands of a stranger at that point.
If cost is a factor, look for 0% deals as mentioned above. Or scrimp and save on literally everything else! Our car has been hit twice in the 13 months our son has been alive. Don't risk it.

Original poster
MissMoodyMoo · 20/01/2019 00:19

Thanks everyone! Luckily we are financially able to get a higher end seat. I was just having a nosey on the george baby event and it looked like a good deal and was cute! But obviously cute isn't safe in this case. I have joined the fb page and look forward to learning more

OP posts:
Tiredismymiddlename85 · 20/01/2019 00:39

The maxi cosi pebble with isofix is one of the safest around. Don't scrimp on gimmicky stuff....plus that seat doesn't look good for a baby at all.