Car seat recommendations.

[JRmum]

Hi. I'm looking for car seat recommendations. I currently have a Maxi Cosi Cabrio for my 10 month old ds.

Thw Which report lists their best buys, according to safety, etc. I will go and see if I can find the thread with the info on for you.

Children from 9kg to 18kg (from around nine months to about four years old)

For this group of seats, it?s been more difficult choosing Best Buys, as the standards in this group are generally not as high as for other weight groups.

Britax Duo Plus Isofix

The Britax Duo Plus Isofix, widely available for £190, is by far the best seat in this weight category when used in Isofix mode. Its performance is acceptable when fitted using belts, but not up to Best Buy standards.

Mamas & Papas Pro Tec

If your car doesn?t have Isofix fittings, the Mamas & Papas Pro Tec, £130 from independent stores, is the best of the belted options in this group. It fits in most cars. Safety is on a par with the Duo Plus, but it?s not quite as easy to use.

I have the Maxi Cosi Priori - it got a good rating (we don't have the iso-fix thingies) and it has been fine - sturdy and the cover is washable.

Summary of Which findings here

It also needs to be a good fit for your car - not all seats fit universally securely even withn the same brand. No good having "the best" seat if it moves around or has "buckle crunch" so wouldn't do its job properly in the unfortunate event. Is he above 9kg ?

IF YOU LIVE AYWHERE NEAR MILTON KEYNES THERE is a fantastic place there which is an independant retailer that will try loads of seats kin your car and sort it all for you including changing the seat belt if need be. can find details if you are in that area

My ds weighs 9.5kg and unfortunately, I don't live anywhere near Milton Keynes. I live in London. Clapham to be exact.

what car do you have as that may help someone recommend a good fit.

I have a Maxi Cosi Priory XP in my Renault Clio which I bought from Halfords and they fitted it for me. The first one I chose wouldnt fit but I cant remember the name. We are buying a renault Scenic which the seat will also fit into - better in my opinion. Halfords will try the seat in your car and fit it for you and show you how to fit it yourself.

many shops do do a fitting service but beware ive herd of several cases where they have not fitted it correctly at all, and some times sooo wrong you wonder how they even get the fitters job in the first place

Good idea - re fitting - also give the Road Safety Officer a ring at the local police station - they will be more than happy to advise you and they also go on courses with various manufacturers to fit seats properly - my friend is one thats how I know this

An anti-recommendation here:

I got a Britax renaissance for DS when he was 9m old, it was one of my best purchases and I raved madly about it, gave it a very good grade in a review, etc. And it was good and confortable for a 9m old, a 12m old, and 18m old and even a 2 year old, but since he was a bit older that that it is not one of my favourite ones at all:

It is sooo tall that it is a bit fiddly to seat DS on it, I have forgot the amounts of times I have hit DS's head against the roof. Now DS is a bit bigger it takes me ages to strap him down because it takes for ever for him to manage to get on it (the seat looks like a tower and DS is in the "I do it!" phase. The straps are not long enough to strap him if he is wearing his coat, so another bad point.

DS is only a 50 per centile, who is going to be 3 yrs next week. No way on Earth he could fit in it for another year, and... he is still too small for a booster seat (the ones without a back), so I guess I will need to spend, again, a good amount of money to get something to do the work in between...

So, my advice is to get anything that is lower and wider than a Britax Renaissance.

Wow that surprises me Chandra...

my 3 1/2 year old still fits perfectly in her Britax Renaissance, although she is petite she is more thin (tho not exactly tall either)

I have no doubts that at 4 years old in the summer she will still be in it (cause she will be in it until she is 15kg, which im sure is AGES yet!)

I agree its VERY high, but it means she gets a great view out of the window...

also my clio has quite a high roof so i think that help alot!

I don't see how I could fit mine in it for more than a couple of months, or it may be... once the spring starts and the coat is gone. He is not tall either, and I don't have a small car, but dear, if he is not kicking the back of my seat he is hitting his head against the roof. We have some friends who have already gone to the next stage seat because their 2.11 didn't fit anymore in his Renaissance. I have been told it depends on the height of the child rather than his weight, as soon as the kid is taller than the back of the seat you need to move to the next stage.

Thanks ladies for your help. After trying different car seats in the car, the Britax Eclipse SI fits the best so I that's what I'm going with.