Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Maxi-Cosi Cabrio car seat-when to take out newborn support?

106 replies

BalletMum · 05/08/2007 20:51

Wondered if anyone knew the recommended age/weight you take the newborn support out. If not when did you take it out?

OP posts:
ladymac · 09/08/2007 12:57

Mrs B, you are so clever. Have been struggling with straps for 4 months now.

MrsBadger · 09/08/2007 15:34

[disclaimer - I am no cleverer than the average badger, just spent a good few hours reading the instructions and playing with it whilst idly on mat leave]

trixymalixy · 09/08/2007 17:25

aaaaah!!!! I'm sure I read the instructions but didn't know about the clips for the straps. Thanks!

Katy44 · 10/08/2007 08:33

Yes me too, they look thick but then you realise they're in about 10 different languages so it's only a few pages

NoviceKnitter · 10/08/2007 11:34

The strap thing truly is a revelation. Thank you!

vesela · 10/08/2007 23:30

This is a great thread! I've now opened the storage compartment and discovered the instructions!

Katy44 · 11/08/2007 07:09

vesela - I did that, had mine fitted at halfords and needed to take the base out, Spent ages fighting with it and pressing the button while looking for the instructions and cursing! Finally texted a friend who told me to press the button (wasn't pressing hard enough) and found the instructions on the side of the base - well what a stupid place to put them!!

nicknack38 · 08/10/2007 21:42

Anyone know where you can buy the sponge part as my daughter got hold of it and wripped it into two bits and now my friend wants to borrow it for her baby...any suggestions welcomed

bessmum · 10/10/2007 01:12

The very big Tescos do a universal suport bit that will fit, got to be a Mega store though I think...

Advisor1 · 10/11/2008 13:09

HI, all I'm a Nursery Advisor with over five years of experience and there are just a few things i'd like to point out about using the Maxi-Cosi Cabrio or CabrioFix.

  1. The neck support is only needed for a child who cannot fully support their head. Once your child can do this you should remove the head support as it is no longer needed and will also provide your child with more space within the carseat. (On average this normally happens in the first four - six months)

  2. Your child has NOT out grown a rear facing carseat when their legs are starting to dangle over the edge it is when their head has reached the top of the carseat.
    Carseat groups are categorized by weight and length NOT by age. In a rear facing carseat the impact level is at the child's leg, in a forward facing carseat the impact level is around their neck. If a baby were put into a forward facing carseat to early their neck would simply snap in an accident so I cannot stress enough how important it is that your child remain rear facing until they have out grown the carseat in length or have met the maximum weight which is normally 13kg (30 pounds).
    On average a child is moved into a forward facing carseat at around 12-14 months. At the earliest, for a child who is quite big for their age, 10-11 months.

  3. It is important that you restrict the amount of time in a carseat for about 2-hours a day especially if you have a low birth weight or premature baby.
    This is because a new born babies lungs are not fully devolped and they use the lower part of their lungs to breathe however when placed upright in a carseat, they use the top part of their lungs which results in less oxygen in their blood.
    If you need to go on a long journey longer than 2-hours by law, as a driver, you should be having a break for sleeptime after 2-hours. If travelling with your baby you must give them a break after 2-hours for about an hour before putting them back into the carseat. Bearing in mind that a newborn baby tends to need feeding/changing every 2 - 4 hours you will find yourself needing perodic breaks anyway.

  4. As the child nears the end of their first carseat try, as annoying as it is, to avoid putting them in thick clothing as this will make the belt much harder to do up.

  5. For any of those you have a CabrioFix and are looking for the seat adjuster don't bother as you won't have it. This feature will only appear on the Cabrio model which was discontinued in 2005. The seat adjuster was replaced by a very thick wedged cushion on the Cabriofix model.
    How to tell if you have a Cabrio or CabrioFix? - Look underneath the bottom of your carseat if you have two parallel metal bars running from one side of the base to the other, you have a CabrioFix. If you don't you have a Cabrio and I would seriously consider upgrading to a Cabriofix as your carseat only meets the safety standards of 2005 although all in all not much has changed.

I really hope this has helped!

DeeDi · 10/11/2008 16:39

Hi Noviceknitter I too was having the same problem getting the car seat off the pram but have found a solution and no longer do that funny jiggering about.

As you depress each button on either side of the car seat you probably try to pull straight up to remove it or even slightly towards you. Try lifting it slightly away from you. This now works for me.

DeeDi · 10/11/2008 16:43

Sorry just saw the date on that posting (problems getting seat of frame) - I am a year too late oh well maybe someone else is having problems now and it might help them out

sasamax · 10/11/2008 20:50

Advisor 1 - what a great advisor you are!!
I have a cabrio but only bought it last year - does this mean it is actually 3 years old and will need replaced in 2 years time then?

EyeballsintheSky · 10/11/2008 20:57

Was looking in Mothercare over the weekend for DD's next seat. The Mothercare car seat lady came out and checked DD's position in the rear facing (Cabriofix) seat and told me that you need to get the car seat changed if you can lay your hand flat on the top of the seat and DC's head touches your hand. Otherwise they must stay rear facing.

And I loved the compartment on the back. Very handy for a carrier bag, wallet and keys when going to do a small supermarket shop. I will miss it.

Sassles · 08/08/2010 12:03

Hope no-one minds me resurrecting this thread for a 2010 read. I found it when googling when you remove the foam block. Brilliant thread. I had almost all the same issues.

Great car seat, but the instructions are naff. Shame that this was in 2007 and in 2010 they still haven't updated their instructions esp on the fact that the cabriofix does not have a seat adjuster handle. As Advisor1 says above, this was replaced with the foam block. I spent hours looking for it.

S x

JimmyChoo17 · 04/10/2011 13:43

Brilliant thread! I know it's old but it's 2011 and I've just learnt so much from this thread...and the strap holding instructions -brilliant!!!!
So bump bump just for info.

velocette · 13/03/2014 16:48

Just posting to bump this thread again. Great info on using the cabriofix!! Very useful even now in 2014!! :-)

puntasticusername · 26/04/2014 18:36

I've had my Cabriofix for four years and two babies, and I'd never spotted that button that pulls the sunshade holder out. GENIUS! Thankyou!

sorrellum · 04/06/2014 15:59

This is the most amazing thread - I am using the car seat for second DD and have discovered all sorts of new features I never knew about. This thread should BE the MC instructions. Thanks to the ether.

mixi82 · 28/08/2014 04:51

Wow!! Stumbled across this thread as LO is 8wks and noticed today he seemed squished/slumped in the seat now. Will look into taking foam wedge out and also the clips and crotch but, will look in the morning as this could be life changing!!! I always struggled with those damn straps flailing everywhere whilst I'm desperately clinging onto LO. thanks so much for this thread, made me laugh too!

TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle · 28/08/2014 06:04

I'm on my second baby and never knew about the clips!

Bohemond · 14/05/2015 18:53

Just to add a 2015 story - also had no idea I had a sunshade, you could take the wedge out or that you could clip the harness back. Thank you mumsnet.

AriaFlower15 · 07/07/2015 09:28

This has been a revolutionary read! On my way to check out what I've learned! Goodbye foam wedge! Thank you all.

lillieelou23 · 06/08/2015 15:40

As for still using the head support I believe you just remove the foam padding out the mesh .. its open one side xx

MindfulBear · 24/09/2016 14:28

Bump bump bump
Great thread - learnt more here than on the maxi cosi website!!

Swipe left for the next trending thread