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Original poster

Car seat dilemma - anyone had a baby that seemed ready for a big car seat at 7 months?

22 replies

bohemianbint · 25/03/2009 10:04

To be honest, I think he'll last a tiny bit longer in his current seat (bebe confort creatis) but he's a very long tall baby and he seems to be straining against the straps to the point where I'm not sure they'll be effective enough.

I don't want to move him up to a bigger car seat yet as I know that the rear facing ones are safer. But at what stage does it become safer for them to move up to the next stage, even if they're not the recommended 9 months? Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Original poster

bohemianbint · 25/03/2009 11:15

bump!

OP posts:

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 25/03/2009 11:20

sorry can't help but watching with interest, another with a big baby here who is crammed into his rear facing.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/03/2009 11:38

Both of our boys have been big (98th percentile) and we've got a creatis too.

We've managed to keep them in the seat until 9 month by which time thier sitting has been more than good enough to move to the next stage seat (20 minutes competently)

We found not putting coats on them, using blankets gave us a bit more room.

It doesn't matter if their legs are longer than the seat - knees bend easily!

They are far safer being kept rearward facing for as long as possible. If he really has outgrown that seat but is not ready for the a forward facing seat there are some seats that will go rearward facing, then swap to forward facing once lo is deelopmentally ready (sorry I don't know the names of any specific seats - my friend has got one!)

Nabster · 25/03/2009 11:39

It is weight not length or age.

blowninonabreeze · 25/03/2009 11:41

Its usually based on weight not age (although I confess I'm not familiar with your particular seat)

Its usually 20 lb. (or 9kg)

LibrasJusticeLeagueofBiscuits · 25/03/2009 11:42

I thought it had something to do with the strength of their neck muscles and that has nothing to do with weight.

Nabster · 25/03/2009 11:43

As well as weight...

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/03/2009 11:44

Yes, but they can be the correct weight to go into the next stage seat, but not be developmentally ready as was the case with my of my ds's.

Nabster · 25/03/2009 11:57

I am well aware of that.

Original poster

bohemianbint · 25/03/2009 12:04

so - in a nutshell, weight, and developmentally ready, ie able to sit? Even if they are straining forward out of the straps?

OP posts:

wotulookinat · 25/03/2009 12:05

A rear facing stage one seat is fine, and the safest option, even if the feet are over the edge, until they get tall enough for their head to be reaching the top of the seat.
And they should be able to confidently sit up on their own.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 25/03/2009 12:10

Yes bohemianbint.

If you're in any doubt though, go to a shop that sells your seat and whose opinion you trust and get things checked out

PinkTulips · 25/03/2009 12:12

ds1 was freakishly long and big to boot.

he outgrew his baby seat at 5 months and was in a bigger one by 6 months. the woman in the shop who had been trying to argue with me took one look at him and agreed wholeheartedly. by 6 months he was the same weight as my 2 year old dd

he had fantastic head control and could sit unaided but i still got him a seat that reclined really far back and was really deep and cosy as i was concious of the fact that developemnetally he might be in danger if we crashed.

ds2 is 61cms long at 6 weeks of age so i fully expect to have the same issues with him, it's judgement call you have to make based on the individual baby but personally i feel if their head is poking way up over the top of the seat and they're crammed into it at full stretch of the restaints then i doubt they're very safe at all.

insertwittynicknameHERE · 25/03/2009 12:28

BRIO

We got one of these for our DD when she was 13mo but they are suitable for 0-18kg in rear facing position then up to 25kg in forward facing position .

naomi83 · 25/03/2009 12:42

britax si you could also check out mothercare

Lawks · 25/03/2009 12:48

My 11 month old is well over 22lbs and very well able to sit (and stand, and walk. He still fits in his rear facing stage 1 though. He's a big boy, tall and chunky. He still fits though. Should I move him into the next stage?

wotulookinat · 25/03/2009 12:51

Lawks, I think it's safest to keep in his rear facing for as long as he fits.

Eyeballsinthesky · 25/03/2009 13:06

Lady in Mothercare told me that as long as their head isn't over the top of the seat, nothing else is important and keep them rear facing as long as possible. Once their head peeps over then it's time to move them.

dingledangle · 25/03/2009 13:20

Hello

I would echo Eyeballsinthesky . I have been told that the seat is there to protect the babies head, once the top of the head is above the seat (peeping out) then time to move on. Also be aware of the weight issues for forwarding facing seats too.

Both Dd and Ds had Creatis and both too big at very young age (98th Centile on weight and height). Easily moved out by 7 months.

We moved them to a Britax seat which was able to recline a little, although both were able to sit, it did mean that this did not prevent the move.

My poor kids legs ended up being bent like a frog in the creatis so once they met the weight standard we moved them. It was much debated with our DD (now 4) but it was less so with DS as we had seen no detrimental effects for DD!!!!

Good luck.

ohdearwhatamess · 25/03/2009 13:34

We moved ds1 up at 7.5 months (and I got a hell of a flaming on MN when I mentioned it ) He was 9.5kg, his head was well above the level of the seat and, most crucially, he was starting to squirm and climb out and was able to sit up and rock the seat making it tip it forwards. It was really dangerous.

We live in a rural area, and have to drive to go anywhere, so my choice was either change car seat or stay at home for 6 weeks.

cwtchy · 25/03/2009 13:49

DD was too big for her carrier car seat at 7 months..I bought a Britax first class, it can go rear facing and then front facing when they are older. It was great and I kept her rear facing until about 12 months, now it's flipped to face the front.

Tangle · 25/03/2009 15:28

Look at www.rearfacing.co.uk - if you need to move to a Stage 1 car seat then it is possible to buy a dedicated RF stage 1 car seat. DD has one - it sits much higher than the reversible one she had previously (so she has a realy good view) and has a lot more leg room in a RF position.

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