I'm thinking of putting dd into forward facing car seat, what should i buy?

[littleducks]

Dd will be one soon and after her b'day, i am thinking of putting her forward facing, should I firstly? I had aimed to keep her rear facing for as long as poss but her baby carrier isnt so practical now, i want a seat that you dont clip in with belt everytime as seat now stays in the car, and she hates not seeing anything.

I'm not sure of her weight but will probably weigh her this week to help decide.

So if i do go for it what should i choose?

find one that fits the car you have - not all seats fit all cars. Go to a shop and try as many as you can to get the best fit.

go somewhere where they are TRAINED in fitting car seats, and are willing to try out every seat in the shop if need be!

REMEMBER cost isn't everything, some of the most expensive seats are not worth the price tag!

Britax, (some) maxi cosi, recaro, fisher price, silver cross, chicco are all brands to look out for, new graco seats are good (except the boosters) and nania seats are good on a budget.

will def get seat fitted, thats a given, but i was hoping for recommendations as mothercare near me atent to great and which results?

I have a maxi cosy priory its nice but you need a long seat belt I used it for my son but he has just swopped to a booster with a back so his little sister can have his baby seat he is 3.7 and still fits it

do you have a smaller independant nursery shop nearby? they will have more brands and styles as mothercare are limited to a few major suppliers (and very few staff are actually qualified to fit car seats!)

Personally, i recomend the britax evolva 1-2-3 for a long lasting never need to buy one again seat, Silver Cross Explorer for comfort, obvious safety (its massive) and lasts longer than most (6 years), the new graco logico m (where avaliable), maxi cosi rodi (but not the others as correct fit is often difficult unless the car is a fiesta!!) All the britax ones tend to be easy to fit and reliable.

chicco do one can't remeber the name but is supposed to be very good!

With which don't take their results as gospel! take notice of what they say but remember every car is different and even the safest car seat according to which may be lethal if it doesn't fit YOUR car properly!

Which? have consistently recommended the Britax Duo (Isofix) , Maxi Cosi Priori and Tobi in this class on grounds of safety and ease of use. They normally publish an update in their June edition if you can wait.

thanks nearly there will research that list, im trying to find one which will fit several cars, i get lifts/taxis if im not walking so i'd like something like the britax i have atm with more than one seat belt route so fits awkward cars with short belts!

i was considering the britax elite, i think which can be fitted with a lap belt?

If you will be switching seat between cars taxis etc quite a bit then i would say stick with your baby carrier as long as possible. The forward facing seats are enormous in comparison, plus bulky to handle and defo not as easy to whip in and out.

We have to transfer ours sometimes and it's a right PITA in comparison. Plus if she is not walking yet you have to get her out of the seat before you can unbuckle rather than just lifting out in carrier (even thopugh they are heavy in teh carrier at this age!!)

Our local nursery shop also advised us to leave ds rear facing as long as poss as this is the safest way by far in a car.

i've been very happy with my maxi cosi priori xp.
i can't see the point in paying for the tobi. is the only difference the straps are held out when you get them in? useful... but not worth the extra imo.

I suffer seatbelt rage...meaning I hate fiddling round fastening carseats in with seatbelts, and getting lots of broken nails

On grounds of less stress, I have opted for Britax Isofit, which clicks in easily to any car with isofix. However can also be used with a seatbelt in any car without isofix