Mumsnet Logo
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Welcome to Mumsnet's shopping board. Whether you are after a new family car or a great new coffee machine this is the board for you. Share product recommendations and reviews here. Related: Discuss clothes and fashion on our Style and beauty forum. Check out Swears By to find the products Mumsnetters love and our reviews section to see the best baby and child products put through their paces.

Shopping

Help finding the best car seat for 2.5yr old please :)

15 replies

NomDePlume · 25/02/2005 11:19

Given that ours has now been involved in an accident, we need to replace it. Cost is not an issue as we'll be reimbursed by the other driver's insurance company. DD is 2.5 years old but is as tall as the average 3.5-4 year old.

She has a Britax First Class at the moment, which has been great. We love all of the features like recline etc, but find it a little high now. It's quite awkward to manouvre DD into without catching her head on the roofline of the car . I do really like Britax, and they fit well in my car ('98 Ford Focus).

Any recommendations for an age-appropriate car seat for DD ? Preferably one that's easy-ish to fit as the seat will be swapped from my car to DH's from time to time. Thanks

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

Gwenick · 25/02/2005 11:22

We've got the graco booster seat (backless version) for DS1 now - he's had it since he was 3yrs old and it's great - got cup holderes on it too so DS loves it.

Please
or
to access all these features

popsycal · 25/02/2005 11:24

we love britax - have a rennaissance and a trio......

rennaisance is very safe and feels really sturdy but the trio is much easier to fit and converts to a booster seat later and is less bulky.........

ds is a big 2.5 year old and the trio is probably more appropriate to his size than the britax...
the trio also goes up to a heavier weight of child than the rennaisance

Please
or
to access all these features

popsycal · 25/02/2005 11:25

btw rennaissance is the 'nest one up' from the first class and the trio is the 'next one down'
does that make sense?!?

Please
or
to access all these features

Gwenick · 25/02/2005 11:25

we've got the renaissance for DS2 (well it was DS1's but never been in an accident so made sense to 'pass it on). Good car seat - fits in lots of different cars and very light to move - and oh damn it's snowing again

Please
or
to access all these features

popsycal · 25/02/2005 11:26

oh and another one...we have a ford focus and find the height of the rennaisance becoming a problem
]
trio is much lower......
check it out....easy to swap about too

Please
or
to access all these features

Gwenick · 25/02/2005 11:27

sorry - thinking out loud there - we had the renaissance in a Ford Focue, Ford Mondeo, Fiat Punto and several other cars that people gave me lifts in while we didn't have a car

Please
or
to access all these features

NomDePlume · 25/02/2005 11:28

Thanks you 2. I'll def look at the trio. Sounds about perfect.

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

Bagpuss30 · 25/02/2005 11:30

The Trio, if you want the security of a harness, or the Britax Super Cruiser Plus if you want portability. We have both and ds used the Trio from age 2 and the Cruiser from age 3 (and is still using) and we have had no problems. dd now uses the Trio in dh's car as I find it a pain to move tbh plus it wouldn't fit in my c-max. You can check the fit of the trio on the Britax website. HTH

Please
or
to access all these features

Gwenick · 25/02/2005 11:31

I think one thing to think about once you're getting car seats for 'older' children (2.5yrs plus) is that how long will it be before they have to move to a normal booster seat - in our case it wasn't going to be long so we went for the booster seat option.

Please
or
to access all these features

NomDePlume · 25/02/2005 11:32

I think you've make a good point there Gwenick, another reason why I think the Trio may be the way to go.

OP posts:
Please
or
to access all these features

popsycal · 25/02/2005 11:41

Also, with the trio, you can use a lap belt too i think.

It did take me a few goes to get it into the car tight enough though. there is a knack so shout up if you need a hand!

Please
or
to access all these features

suzywong · 25/02/2005 11:42

haven't you had that baby yet?

Please
or
to access all these features

popsycal · 25/02/2005 11:44

Grin
Please
or
to access all these features

toomanypushchairs · 25/02/2005 11:45

We have the graco booster seats that do have backs. You fix the child in with the 3point belt and it has a clip above their shoulder to hold the belt in place. They are so easy to move from one seat/car to another.

Please
or
to access all these features

popsycal · 25/02/2005 11:48

forgot to mention - the trio can be used with normal car seat straps (over the shoulder) or with the diagonal car seat belt...

Please
or
to access all these features
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Sign up to continue reading

Mumsnet's better when you're logged in. You can customise your experience and access way more features like messaging, watch and hide threads, voting and much more.

Already signed up?