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Original poster

Help please - Is it worth buying a base for car seat?

36 replies

Ella5555 · 18/06/2020 08:41

Hello!

I was wondering if any mum’s out there could provide some advice on car seat bases and I’m finding the whole thing very confusing! Expecting first baby and last time I was aware of car seats these isofix bases didn’t even exist - you would just weave the seatbelt through it.

The car seat I’ve purchased has the option to be fitted with and without a base so just wanted to know if they’re really worth it or whether it will just be a waste? I wasn’t too bothered about getting one as I have a small car so car seat will be quite fitted in the back seat anyway and my plan was to basically leave the car seat in the car most of the time (the car seat I’ve bought does actually click into the pram I bought which is handy just in case).

Just wanted to know peoples opinions? Does the base make life a lot easier? There’s so much baby stuff out there and I just don’t want to get more than what I’m actually going to use.

I hope that all made sense and thanks in advance for any help and advice - really appreciate it! Xx

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islandislandisland · 18/06/2020 08:43

Following! Although I wasn't planning on buying a base if I can avoid it, they aren't cheap

Luckystar1 · 18/06/2020 08:48

Yes get a base. It makes things so much easier. You just click the seat in, rather than having to faff around with belts (they are more annoying than you think!)

We have a base for each car, and I’m currently pregnant with DC3, so they be have a good run.

You can usually get them second hand if you are happy to do that, or see if any trusted friends or family have one spare?

SoupDragon · 18/06/2020 08:49

I had a base for DD (but not for her older brothers) and I did really like it. Especially when I put my back out as I was able to get her out of the car without bending over! This was 14 years ago though so my experience isn't recent :)

BikeRunSki · 18/06/2020 08:49

Yes! They make everything much simpler!

Lockdownseperation · 18/06/2020 08:49

Yes. Think carefully about the long term car seat. Are you and your partner tall? Will you need a car seat suitable for a tall child for erf?

Elephantonascooter · 18/06/2020 08:52

I had one with DS, I don't plan on having one with this baby. While it was easy to just click in, it wasn't especially difficult to seatbelt when going into other people's cars. It wasnt so much easier for me to think I can't live without it. I definitely can and will. They're very expensive for being just a bit easier to use.

THNG5 · 18/06/2020 08:55

I've had both. With my first, we bought the base as we didn't know any better. For us, it was a complete waste of money as, on a day to day basis, I don't really drive anywhere so for the few times we did drive, it wasn't worth the money. On a side note, my ds hated the baby seat so we bought a Joie 360 when he was 4 months old which stays in the car.
When number 2 came along very soon after, we bought a Joie 360 straight away and sold the baby seat and base.
I really wanted a third though and my husband finally relented. Another Joie wasn't possible to fit in as the other 2 were still small and sitting in theirs. A friend gave me her Silvercross baby seat and we decided against a base. I do drive more than when I had my first but I still think a base would have been a waste of money. Yes, it can be a bit annoying putting the belt around the seat but for the short time it needs to be done, the inflated price of the base just doesn't seem worth it.
Another option I would suggest is to just wait until baby is here and then decide if you think you want the base.

AlaskaWaves · 18/06/2020 08:57

How about trying to install the car seat, leave it in and then try to strap a teddy or doll into the seat. Depending on which seat type you have, sometimes the lap belt comes across the seat which can make it tricky to get baby into the seat without undoing everything.
You could always try it without and then buy one if you decide it's worth it.

Superscientist · 18/06/2020 09:01

We ummed and ahhed about belted vs isofix. From our reading we found that a correctly fitted belted seat is as safe as an isofix but that it is easier to incorrectly fit a belted seat and not realise than an isofix base in which case it is safer to have an isofix seat. So it comes down to how confidently you are in fitting a belted seat which will be car seat dependent - from our reading some have better reviews than others for this.

In the end we decided against a travel system/removable car seat as I won't have access to the car during the week when I'm on maternity leave so we went with a seat with a fixed base.

Zogtastic · 18/06/2020 09:02

A base was definitely on my must have list. So much easier and Isofix makes it more straightforward to make seat as secure and safe as possible. We’ve even got the version of our (age 4+) boosters with backs that comes with an isofix attachment.

Blogdog · 18/06/2020 09:04

DC1 and 2 had a maxi cosi car seat with the isofix base in the back seat of the car. Very handy for clicking in and out.

DC3 (in his car seat) ended up in the front seat (air bag off) for the first year of his life as we were waiting on a new car which could fit three kids in the back. Isofix base wouldn’t work in the front seat so he needed to be belted in. It is definitely more of a faff than clicking the seat in and out of the base but you get used to it and it just becomes an automatic thing to do. As he got a bit bigger the belt across the front of the seat hindered his legs a bit but not so much that it was a problem. He had (and has) very long legs so might not be an issue for everyone.

So in summary - if money’s tight I wouldn’t bother. If you’re considering having more than one child it might be worth it. Also, I know you say you intend leaving it in the car most of the time but don’t underestimate how much time you will spend with the car seat hooked over your arm like a handbag to avoid disturbing a sleeping baby 😀

Mmmmycorona · 18/06/2020 09:08

We have a base and wouldn’t be without it. My mum has one also, Makes life much easier when she looks after dd. Swapping car seats takes seconds.
Was also great when dd was small enough to be in the carry car seat and nipping into shops. Just clicked her in and out.

IdontUnderatand · 18/06/2020 09:12

100% yes to getting isofix! It makes life so much easier and you just put the seat on and it clicks... no back breaking angles fo thread the belt needed!

For me, I had a traumatic labour, and I wouldn't of coped with the getting in back and putting belt through etc.

Worth every penny in my eyes, not to mention safer for baby too

LoisLittsLover · 18/06/2020 09:15

Yes, I wouldn't buy a car seat that didn't fit with a base. Although it's no safer than a well fitted seat belt, you know 100% each time that it's in the right place and makes life so easy. It's even more important to me 2nd time around because I'm not faffing fir ages, so my other child isn't at risk of running off etc while my mind is elsewhere sorting baby out

Itsgottobethisone · 18/06/2020 09:23

I don’t like the base. I have one that I don’t use. I feel like it’s safer me strapping the carseat in. I know this is Ridiculous as the base is fitted to the car but I just can’t get my head around no seatbelt.

bloodywhitecat · 18/06/2020 09:24

I have a 7 month old in a Joie 360 spin which I love as it saves my poor old back and an 8 week old in an isofix rear facing Group 0/+1 which is OK but I prefer the spin option. My preference would definitely be for a base as you know the seat in fitted securely in the car.

TranielleRadcliffe · 18/06/2020 09:32

I had a maxi-cosi car seat and we never bothered with a base. As my DD was in and out of 4 different cars (we lived with my parents and would alternate which cars), we’d have spent a fortune on buying multiple bases. Also, from memory, not every car fits one (I may be wrong on this).

I made sure I knew how to safely fit the seatbelt around the car seat and never rushed this job. Even now DD is 6 and in a high back booster with the seat belt around her, I still don’t rush strapping her in to make sure it’s fitted properly. (Before anyone says, she can’t clip in herself because the chair slightly goes over the plug and it’s an awkward angle for her.)

20viona · 18/06/2020 09:34

100% get the base. Iv got a joie I level and it's a great seat which can recline too and it's on an
Isofix base. It was about £180 all in which is good for a reclining seat.

Maincat · 18/06/2020 10:14

We had a base, and oddly I found it more hassle so we stopped using it! The clicking in was easier, but reaching behind to use the release button, and then having to sort of lift as it popped out was actually harder for me. We also found that because we have sports seats we got a better, more reclined angle by using the seat belt and baby was more comfortable because of this. The belting literally took seconds, it seemed no harder to me. And the release was easier (but this may just have been our model of base). You could see how you go without it and get one if you decide you need one x

TobysMum16 · 18/06/2020 11:22

It really depends if you’re going to use the car seat as a travel system or be switching it between multiple cars.
I didn’t have one for my little boy. He is in a Joie Every Stage. I just leave it in the car all the time. I’ve never had an issue getting him in and out of the car but I guess it depends on the type of car you drive and any injuries etc.

Mmsnet101 · 18/06/2020 11:33

I had both and hated the base. Couldn't get the hang of just clicking it in and out, whereas I became a pro with the seat belt so it didn't take long at all. I also felt safer with the belt the act of strapping it in and pulling tight somehow felt reassuring. The few seconds it saves isn't worth the £££ imo.

TranielleRadcliffe · 18/06/2020 11:35

Slightly off topic but I’m just remembering from what @Maincat said (DD is 6 now so my memory is a little rusty) that I used to struggle to get the car seat off the buggy adapters. We had a Maxi-Cosi Pebble and the Uppababy Cruz. We used to have to use both hands to press the release buttons and then lift the car seat. I have ridiculously small hands and I used to really struggle with this when DH or someone wasn’t there to help me. This time, I probably won’t use the car seat as much on the buggy if I can avoid it for this reason and to reduce the amount of time in a car seat for baby. I still won’t be buying an Isofix base so I’m not going to be as worried about strapping the seat in repeatedly.

Cherryrainbow · 18/06/2020 11:53

Just bear in mind you may lose space in the car which is important if ypur buggy and stuff takes up the boot.
My partner has an isobase fix in his car for his son and it's basically scaffolding the boy has to clamber over each time. I never bothered with it for my son's seating.

MerryDeath · 18/06/2020 12:00

yes. much safer and easier to pop seat in and out. mine beeps if anything is incorrect.

MerryDeath · 18/06/2020 12:02

and when you upgrade get a spinning seat. joie 360. my friend did not take my advice and is rueing the day!

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