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

[Ella5555]

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

We used it with the first but not the second - seatbelt wasn't too much hassle but base was easier! On balance I'd probably get one.

My car doesn't have isofix so I have to use seatbelt but we bought the base for hubbies car which does

Even though I'm very used to doing it using the seatbelt is a TOTAL pain! It's soooo much easier just clicking it in on the base. It swivels does I can spin it and just get her out. In my car I still have to unbelt it, turn it and it's wobbly to get her out. Ugh.

Can't wait to upgrade my car just for this purpose alone!!!!

I didn't buy one. Then ended up buying one when DS was a couple of months old. Used to come out of baby groups etc and see other women clicking their car seat in and away they went and I'd still be faffing trying to squeeze myself between my car and another car in the rain to belt mine in.

Don't get one and then see how you feel. Can always buy one if you decide you need it. It depends how much you drive really.

@TranielleRadcliffe

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.

We have a Cruz and the way round it is to unclick onside and lift that side out slight then unclick the other side and lift up.

I’ll give that a go if I ever need to do it. Thanks.

Thanks everyone - so helpful! Will stick with just the car seat and see how it goes. Wish me luck haha x

The most up to date safety standard for car seats is the R149 or "i-Size" standard. This was introduced in 2013, so not even that new. This safety standard tests car seats more thoroughly than the older standards, including with a side impact (not required for previous safety tests), and using more accurate crash test dummies.

In order to pass this safety standard, an isofix base is a must (it can't pass this standard without isofix). Isofix bases, when secured with a support leg or a top tether, prevent the car seat tipping forward in a crash.

Yes - 100% worth it. So much easier in the rain than faffing around with a seat belt.

You can always get the base later if it's annoying without. I find them overpriced, but DH loved ours and wouldn't want to use a seat without it.

Lumpy - not quite true. Now that the third stage of R129 is in force seatbelt fitted seats can be made, but this is very new and there's only one out that I know of.

I would 100% get one, makes life sooo much easier. One of my best buys.