Car seats for newborn

[oldermama2021]

Hi
We are currently looking at prams etc and I think we have decided on which one to go for. There is a bundle offer which would include the car seat as well but not sure whether to go for it or not. Someone has really recommended the maxi cosi car seats (not sure which model - possible pebble pro) and someone else has suggested Cybex cloud z. Can anyone offer any advice as to what I should be looking for. I think the maxi cosi is lighter in weight but can use the cybex base for the next stage car seat. Thank you in advance.

We had the cybex as cane with the travel system it's fine abs will use for second but it is really heavy compared to the maxi cosi so if I chose again probably would have gone maxi cosi.

We got a Joie ilevel as it has the flattest position of all the car seats (bar the specific lie flat ones) as we'll be doing long drives when the baby is still a newborn.

I’m a car seat expert by trade (I run car seat libraries uk, although not so much now thanks to Covid 😡) - the maxi Cosi is lighter, but the Cybex lies flat on the pram. So if you’re going to be using the car seat on the chassis a lot, then go for the Cybex. If not, you may prefer the lighter weight of the maxi Cosi.

In terms of crash safety, both are excellent.

A benefit of the Cybex is the rotation infant seat function - handy if you have back issues after birth and also if you have a section.

The Cybex also lasts longer. It goes to at least 18m (depending on baby of course). Maxi Cosi goes to 12 months max.

Both take the next stage seat, the Cybex Sirona z rotates, maxi Cosi does not. However I wouldn’t let this sway your decision - the compatible next stage seat may not be the best option for you after the infant seat, and if you plan a second baby, then you end up needing another base or having to move your first up yet again very soon. There is a massive host of options for toddler seats, including extended rear facing 25kg seats that you may wish to research.

On a personal note - I have opted for the cloud z for baby due in April.

Thank you all for your help! Being a ftm I never realised there was so much to think about when it comes to a baby car seat! I think we would probably go with the Cloud z - mainly as it can swivel (although might not be used as much at baby stage) but would be good if we decide to go for the next Cybex one. Both seem to have good safety ratings - it really is the weight of the maxi cosi that I would be attracted to, but then I think for the next car seat if you want it to swivel you can't have maxi cosi and need to buy a new base so might be better to go with Cybex first.

If you really want a rotating next stage seat, the Sirona z is £260 odd (seat only)

Britax dualfix 2 R - £225
Britax dualfix m iSize - £275
Joie spin - £180
Joie iSpin - £280 (have seen it cheaper)
Maxi Cosi mica - £240+
Cybex Sirona S iSize - £250

So buying a next stage seat to go on the same base isn’t always a saving - it’s actually often more expensive because the rotating seats listed above come with the base - leaving your infant seat and base free for baby 2 if you have another

So I wouldn’t let the next stage option be the deciding factor - choose the infant seat that’s good for you now with a newborn and decide on the toddler seat when the time comes

There’s a heck of a lot to car seats (I’ve been an expert 10 years and still learning, it’s a very fluid area due to changing regulations, research and advances in technology)

But essentially, check these 4 things and you’re good:

1. seat is compatible to car/s (inc isofix bases)
2. seat is right stage for baby (avoid moving up a stage too early)
3. always strap baby in right - no thick coat, no snowsuits, dress for indoors and keep warm with blanket, harness right height to shoulders and correct tension)
4. always fit the seat correctly

If you follow those 4, you can’t go far wrong 😊

As above. I got the Joie i-Level as it has the low flat mechanism and fitted on the pram as well. Plus with it being a bigger weight range it did DD till she was 18 months and she still had room in it. We only got the next stage as we had the money to spare and shops reopened after lockdown and was concerned about them shutting again when we really would have needed one

Thanks @MrsG30 - you definitely have a wealth of information on car seats - thank you so much for your help. Looking at this there is an array of car seats for toddlers - so I shouldn't let that sway me to cybex as by that stage I won't be putting the car seat on the pram. It probably just is the weight and the ease of use that is important to me - one shop suggested maxi cosi and the other the cybex...as that is what they sold! Lol!

@thismeansnothing thank you...I hadn't consider the Joie i-level - must look into that. Thank you.

We are going for cybex. I like the rotating base and the fact that it lies flat too.
We will get the whole travel system from cybex

Do not worry about a seat with a base you can use the next stage on.

The biggest factor in choosing a carseat should be safety. Maxi cosi and cybex both do really well in safety tests for the first stage (infant) seats. Joie also do excellently in safety tests for infant seats.

Maxi cosi do less well in the next stage seats, and cybex next stage seats are on the small side so not as good for children on higher centiles.

Personally I'd get a cybex cloud z now and an axkidd minikind or axkidd one once your child is 12 to 15 months.