Rear-Facing Support, Questions & Answers

[lynnikins]

EJ was 57cm at birth and at 10months is in a Britax first class we are moving to a Multi tech ass soon as we get back from holiday though

 

[bky]

Since we are going to visit the US in a month, we were planning on renting a carseat. I've just had the bright, if delayed, idea that I could buy one for the same price as a rental, and an ERF at that (and then bring it back with us!). The NZ minimum standard is the same as the US standard, though I guess I might need it to have a specific sticker to use in NZ? Will have someone check it for me, but anyhow. Since I've found car seats here in NZ to be uncomfortably expensive, I'd like to get something worth bringing back on the plane.
I've had a browse and am looking at the GracoMyRide 65 and the Cosco Scenera. Both ERF to 35-40lbs. The Graco looks more comfortable, but the Cosco is cheaper. I'm leaning toward the Graco.

Also (as I haven't been through the whole thread), are convertible seats generally ok to be ERF or is more about what they are rated for? We currently have a convertible seat as all the infant capsules only had 3 point harnesses. LO is still many months away from outgrowing it (not even 15lbs yet and short too), but just curious.

 

[mommy43]

my lo is now officially a ERF'er
her seat arrived this morning we went with britax elite it took me 5 min to fit in the car it fits perfectly we've yet to try it out properly but i sat her in it to adjust the straps before i fitted it n she looked comfy n happy
will post pics when we test drive properly

 

[lynnikins]

Since we are going to visit the US in a month, we were planning on renting a carseat. I've just had the bright, if delayed, idea that I could buy one for the same price as a rental, and an ERF at that (and then bring it back with us!). The NZ minimum standard is the same as the US standard, though I guess I might need it to have a specific sticker to use in NZ? Will have someone check it for me, but anyhow. Since I've found car seats here in NZ to be uncomfortably expensive, I'd like to get something worth bringing back on the plane.
I've had a browse and am looking at the GracoMyRide 65 and the Cosco Scenera. Both ERF to 35-40lbs. The Graco looks more comfortable, but the Cosco is cheaper. I'm leaning toward the Graco.

Also (as I haven't been through the whole thread), are convertible seats generally ok to be ERF or is more about what they are rated for? We currently have a convertible seat as all the infant capsules only had 3 point harnesses. LO is still many months away from outgrowing it (not even 15lbs yet and short too), but just curious.

from what i know of NZ they are really strict about seats there now caus of the whole booster thing so you definately want a seat stickered for use in NZ
i know the erf seats are expensive but so will the fine and buying one if you get busted with an " illegal" seat,
https://www.3news.co.nz/Carseat-mes...-some/tabid/367/articleID/149772/Default.aspx
i dont know if you have seen this

 

[lynnikins]

https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32820&PN=1&TPN=20
this is a NZ based forum's chat thread about erf hun the ladies there will be able to help and have info where you can get the best seat for the best price

 

[lucy_x]

Im looking for a rear facing car seat,
We have a subaru estate and 2 people ned to be able to get in the back with her as there is 5 (including A in the car!)


any suggestions?

 

[lynnikins]

check www.carseat.se for ideas on whats avalible theres quite a few avalible on the market
my combi seat which is a britax first class+ goes from birth to 13 kg rearfacing then to 18kg front facing obviously you probably want the best seat that will last longest for the best price but alot of the larger extended rearfacing seats go from the 9kg + mark,

its worth noting that i can sit between my eldests isofix Front facing seat and the Britax first class in the back of a VW Golf so if you fitted your LO's seat in the center of the backseat ( providing its safe fitted this way taking into account seat contour ) then you could easily have the shoulder space for 2 adults in the backseat as well.

 

[bky]

I'm going to get a Cosco Scenera as that is sold in NZ (for $200 as opposed to the US $40). Unfortunately only the US seats require the sticker so just in the worst of all situations. Even if we don't end up using it here in NZ it's still cheaper than renting one.
I tried asking on my immigration forum if anyone had managed to get a sticker for an imported seat (no one had even thought about the regulations), but in typical fashion they have turned the thread into an argument about electrical standards.

 

[millycat]

Hi, Just wondering about the logistics of a rear facing seat in a 3 door car. Still in group 0 seat but it is isofix so it comes in and out, I just lean in to the car. Does anyone have a rear facing seat and only 3 doors? If so could you give me some advice?

For information just in case you need to know I have a vauxhall/opel Corsa.

 

[lynnikins]

you could do it but you would probably have to put it behind whichever front seat you never move and be willing to get in and out of the back seat to strap baby in and out as you would find it hard to lean over the seat to strap them in safely i dont see why not otherwise hun would just be that bit more work ( saying that i often climb between the front seats of my Golf to get in the back between the carseats if we are taking someone else somewhere as i can just fit between the boys lol but its a bit of a funny sight watchiing me do it lol

 

[delongi]

We're looking at getting the BeSafe IZI combi (isofix) group 1 carseat.

Tried the Britax multi tech and the MaxiCosi Mobi but neither fit in my car (Vauxhall merriva 2008) because the seatbelt buckles are on a little strap, rather than being embedded in the seat, which means these seats can't be tightened in enough.

Has anyone got the Izi combi X3?
how easy is it to clean?
how easy is it to get LO in and out, especially if they decide to have a strop

In theory it wont be moved from car to car that often - sometimes we'll need to leave the seat at nursery if hubby is picking up when i've dropped LO off.

mind you if its a nightmare changing seats we might get the britax for hubby's car which has the buckles inside the seat so hopefully no problems tightening it in. We'll try to get the seat direct from volvo to save £80ish.
For those with the Britax similar questions re cleaning, getting LO in and out etc.
any info greatly recieved
cheeers

PS posted this in Baby Club too to try to catch others

 

[Rachel_C]

We're looking at getting the BeSafe IZI combi (isofix) group 1 carseat.

Tried the Britax multi tech and the MaxiCosi Mobi but neither fit in my car (Vauxhall merriva 2008) because the seatbelt buckles are on a little strap, rather than being embedded in the seat, which means these seats can't be tightened in enough.

Has anyone got the Izi combi X3?
how easy is it to clean?
how easy is it to get LO in and out, especially if they decide to have a strop

In theory it wont be moved from car to car that often - sometimes we'll need to leave the seat at nursery if hubby is picking up when i've dropped LO off.

mind you if its a nightmare changing seats we might get the britax for hubby's car which has the buckles inside the seat so hopefully no problems tightening it in. We'll try to get the seat direct from volvo to save £80ish.
For those with the Britax similar questions re cleaning, getting LO in and out etc.
any info greatly recieved
cheeers

PS posted this in Baby Club too to try to catch others

We have the BeSafe seat but I've never cleaned ours! We've had it for about 8 or 9 months I think. It doesn't seem to get dirty really (although LO doesn't often eat messy stuff in the car). The cover seems to just let you wipe stuff off easily.

It's really easy to get LO in and out. I don't know how it compares to other seats, I'd guess they're all about the same really. Just sit them in it and fasten the straps! It's useful that it has the magnets to hold the straps out of the way when you're sitting LO in it. It's really easy to tighten the straps but you do have to pull it tight around LO's legs to make it tighten properly around the chest. Not a problem though.

We've not taken it out since it was fitted at the shop we bought it from but they showed us how to fit it and it's really simple. You click it into the isofix, then turn a handle/ratchet to push the bar into the seat and then you put a leg down into the foot rest and fasten it. It is heavy though; after watching the man in the shop carry it out to the car I wouldn't like to do it myself.

 

[nightkd]

Bit late to this thread but they look great! And what an awesome deal!! We got Evey a Britax Boulevard 70 (in cow print ) and love it!! We used credits from a rewards program at DH's work, so it was basically free.

Our infant carseat came used & I've always worried about it, so I think we might get a Graco My Ride for any future babies (unless we can afford a new travel system at that point too) they look all cushy for the smaller babies, whereas I don't think I would have been happy about Evey being in the Boulevard as a newborn..

 

[lynnikins]

looks like a nice seat hunni, i wish we had more seats that rearfaced to 40lb/18kg readily avalible here but we dont we have to basicly buy online or go to a specialist shop

 

[millycat]

Thanks for your reply lynnikins. I'm starting to think I really need 5 doors and husband seems to agree. Just wondering now if anyone can recommend a set up car/seat/position in car. In particular I am intersested in the Recaro Polaris seat.

 

[Rachel_C]

Hi, Just wondering about the logistics of a rear facing seat in a 3 door car. Still in group 0 seat but it is isofix so it comes in and out, I just lean in to the car. Does anyone have a rear facing seat and only 3 doors? If so could you give me some advice?

For information just in case you need to know I have a vauxhall/opel Corsa.

Sorry it's a bit late but if a 3 door is your only option, I would look into what seats will fit in your front passenger seat and getting the air bag turned off. At least then other passengers will be able to get in by pushing the driver's seat forward and you won't have to mess around climbing into the back with baby.

 

[soootired]

We're looking at getting the BeSafe IZI combi (isofix) group 1 carseat.

Tried the Britax multi tech and the MaxiCosi Mobi but neither fit in my car (Vauxhall merriva 2008) because the seatbelt buckles are on a little strap, rather than being embedded in the seat, which means these seats can't be tightened in enough.

Has anyone got the Izi combi X3?
how easy is it to clean?
how easy is it to get LO in and out, especially if they decide to have a strop

In theory it wont be moved from car to car that often - sometimes we'll need to leave the seat at nursery if hubby is picking up when i've dropped LO off.

mind you if its a nightmare changing seats we might get the britax for hubby's car which has the buckles inside the seat so hopefully no problems tightening it in. We'll try to get the seat direct from volvo to save £80ish.
For those with the Britax similar questions re cleaning, getting LO in and out etc.
any info greatly recieved
cheeers

PS posted this in Baby Club too to try to catch others

I have the besafe and its fine to clean. the seat cover comes off and can be washed if it needs more than a wipe down (this means removing some straps but once you get used to it its easy. It also comes with a newborn seat bit that catches nappy leaks when they are little. this got washed nearly daily at one point lol. Getting in and out is a little tricky, i seem to bump my girls head on the roof of the car getting her in and kind of pull her out by her hands (now 15 months). how people cope when they get older i do not know.
Great seat though

 

[lynnikins]

lol EJ does the limbo under the door frame, head dipped in down then lifted once clear of the doorframe and hips bum and legs dip to go under and in hehe, i found it easier when i put his seat in the middle of the back caus then i dont have to wrestle with the seatbelt either lol

 

[Pikkle]

I haven't had chance to read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has been asked. Is there any way I can get one of these car seats in the UK? DD is 14 months old, and still RF. Pretty sure we have a couple of months left RF but am worried about getting a new FF car seat. I have a 3 door car (gah!) but am searching for a new 4 door car, once I have managed to sell mine. (3 door fiesta and 2 kids, plus OH isn't really ideal!) DD has to go in the front seat in her RF as it just will not go in the back. I hate this, although I make sure she is very safe, I still don't like it.

Would be fab if these were available in the UK!

 

[Heidi]

I haven't had chance to read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has been asked. Is there any way I can get one of these car seats in the UK? DD is 14 months old, and still RF. Pretty sure we have a couple of months left RF but am worried about getting a new FF car seat. I have a 3 door car (gah!) but am searching for a new 4 door car, once I have managed to sell mine. (3 door fiesta and 2 kids, plus OH isn't really ideal!) DD has to go in the front seat in her RF as it just will not go in the back. I hate this, although I make sure she is very safe, I still don't like it.

Would be fab if these were available in the UK!

I also have a 3 door fiesta and we have the besafe izi combi from https://www.securatot.co.uk/ it fits well in the back but the front passenger seat has to go right forward, i guess its fine if your short like me
I've gotten used to getting her in and out of it now but i really cant wait to get a 4 door car!