Car seat dilemma - light 4yr old !

[LIZS]

dd is 4 but only weighs 13kg. Her current car seat is a Britax Freeway which is almost 7 yrs old. Although she still fits in it the buckle is becoming more awkward and her head is level with the top. So technically she hasn't reached its' limit yet. My dilemma is do we continue to go on as we are, bearing in mind it could still take a while to reach the minimum weight for the next stage (15kg +) up, or do we buy another one to tied us over (dh is reluctant to spend a lot on one) either same style or a Britax Cruiser type. Not keen on convertible ones like Britax Trio as didn't do well in Which ? survey but realise a harness is still recommended until 15/18kg. The only one which might be suitable longer term is the Jane Indy but that uses adult belt and costs almost £100, also not seen any safety data about it.

So, any suggestions ?

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we have these ones Would that be any good? Its the 15kg again and adult seat belt. Maybe not lol!

My dd is very small and stayed in the Britax Freeway until she was 5 and her brother inherited it.

My ds still needs a 5 point harness (he has asd and escapes easily)and we got him a Britax elite. It's quite expensive but you wouldn't have to buy another seat for a very long time. It's suitable for 9 - 25kg (approx 9 months to six years) so you could safely use it now. Mothercare has them on special offer atm.

We're very pleased with the seat (although we can't use the recline in our small peugeot)and would recommend it. I suppose it just depends if you think you will still be wanting to use the 5 point harness when your dd is six, or maybe older if she is small for her age. My dd is 9 and gets a bit annoyed because she is the only one of her group of friends who uses a booster seat but I don't consider her to be safe without it as she only weighs 7lb more than her 5 yo brother!

As long as her eyes arnt over the top of the seat she is Ok.

I wouldnt even contemplate moving a child under 15kg into a seat for children of 15kg and over TBH.

Its tricky cause the ones for children from 9kg (eg Britax ranger / cruiser plus / trio, Mama and Papas elan do REALLY badly in which reports and are in the DONT BY THESE CAR SEATS SECTION!

(as is the Graco one mentioned below... wouldnt bother with that either!)

If she was 15kg go for Britax kid / highliner or maxi cosy rodi or Concord lift, but if she hasnt reached that weight yet then as mentioned before!

therefore i expect the SAFEST suggestion would be the Britax Elite where she will fit safely until shes about 6 or 25kg.... and by the time shes too tall will be heavy enough (hopefully) for the next stage seat!

Is there a website for these Which Reports? We have an incredibly tall 3 1/2 year old who is too light for the 15kg plus ones but really uncomfortable in her 9months - 4 years seat cos of the legroom.

The WHICH? website is www.which.co.uk

you do have to PAY to be a member... i THINK its open to non which? subscribers

Thanks NannyL, you see my dilemma ! There is just so little which seems to fit the brief and she can't be the only one like this ! I 'm very concerned not to move her too soon and had hoped she would fit a Rodi like her brother's by now as we've been evry pleased with it. Think will try to persuade dh to invest in another with harness (dd doesn't mind fortunately, but it makes lift sharing awkward) or take him to look at the Jane Indy. We used to subscribe to Which? but stopped when we moved abroad, might now reinstate it .

LIZS, im sure in 9 months time im gonna have a similar dilemma.... my charges is 3 1/2 and pnly just over 12kg....

the chance of her being 15kg by the time she starts school next september is almost non existent! (and i somehow dont think its fair to make a school age child sit in a proper car seat, tho as she will only be 4 1/4 maybe she will have to?)

Also im only the nanny, and already i have 4 car seats of my own (only 2 charges!) cause im OBSESSED with them being strapped in PROPERLY in the best car seats!

Already her mum and dad put her in one with a back and booster for 15kg+ but i REFUSE to do that... (how would i ever forgive myself if we were in a crash and she was hurt... not even MY child! )

the other dilemma is that ther will be anotehr baby soonish and im not sure she'l be 15kg by the time baby is 9 months when baby will need ehr car seat!

Anyway she eats LOADS..... at least as much as me, sometimes more so im secretly hoping that just maybe she will put on a bit more weight.... she may be nearing 13kg now as she hasnt been weighed since before the summer and she does seem to have grown a bit, but come september guess ill have to re think the options!

I REALLY dont want another car seat for a few months...

I do also have a Britax Crusier + (for EMERGANCIES only, so im wondering weather to use that until she gets to be 15kg, but in the back of my mind i KNOW its not a very safe seat, but im sure its not that safe, more for children / babies nearer 9 kg then heavier (thats just MY opinion by the way!)

Oh what a dilemma! lol