I need car seat help please

[sprinkles]

So I'm going to be looking after a 7 month old and a 2 year old. Which car seats are best? I was looking at the baby weavers shuffle on kiddicare but not sure this would suit the 7 month old although it says birth-4years (I thought 7 month old should still be rear facing and not sure if this seat can be?). I'm obviously wanting ones I can get the most use out of so bigger age range would be best. Also, is an 8 year old okay on just a booster seat??

I've never had kids in the car before, well never had to supply seats for them anyway!

[clareelizabeth1]

I think the law has just changed and children now have to be rear facing for 15months. I always buy britax as I just trust the brand. DS is getting the britax dualfix so he can stay rear facing up to four years. Seams a bit extreme I know but after watching crash test dummys I think rear facing all the way now.

[FussyElmo]

The law hasn't changed yet :)

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seat

[sprinkles]

I just looked on there Elmo, thanks :) I get so confused because I have no idea average ages for these weights.....

[Nicola Carlyle]

I'm the same. I have a 4 year old who I still put in a 5 point harness as I feel it's safer and the seat is available rather than a booster. xxx

[tulip0803]

I have a britax stage 00 seat for when I have littlies that need to be rearward facing. I then have a Britax Prince for when they go forward facing.

Parents may leave you with a carry type carseat for little one if they are dropping by car. I would keep them rearward as long as possible though.

[sprinkles]

I'm starting to think it's more fuss than it's worth but I may not think that when it's piddling down and I've got the school run to do.......

[tulip0803]

I'm the same. I have a 4 year old who I still put in a 5 point harness as I feel it's safer and the seat is available rather than a booster. xxx

I keep them in 5 points as long as possible or until someone smaller comes along that needs the seat big seat. I then have 5 point backed boosters then backed boosters on 3 point belt. DD2 is 9 and she still sits in backed booster particularly when we go on longer journeys.

[sprinkles]

Can someone please tell me which seats to get for 7 months, 2 years and 8 years? I'm guessing high back booster for 8 year old? And I'm guessing the one for 2 year old would do for other ages too??

[sprinkles]

Can someone please tell me which seats to get for 7 months, 2 years and 8 years? I'm guessing high back booster for 8 year old? And I'm guessing the one for 2 year old would do for other ages too??

I could ask parents of 7 month old to leave his until he moves onto next seat? How old are they usually when they move on? If it's soon, there's no point in me buying one.

[Pixie dust]

Our LA has recently sent out info saying that they should be rear facing for longer and are supporting a campaign will try and attach the info.



7636

[tigwig]

I would suggest a rear facing 'carry type' seat for the baby who should stay in it til at least 12 mths in my opinion and legally til 20pounds in weight. The 2 yr old will need a 5 point harness forward facing seat. I got one from amazon recently at £40. The eldest will be ok on a normal booster seat either with or without the back until they are 135cm tall. These are very cheap but are apparently gonna be phased out soon as high back ones are safer. My own dd still has one though at 9.

[jazzyjenbo]

Hi,
The seat they are in is weight determined. The 7 month old will probably still be in the baby carry seat. Like others have said, if uv not got 1 ask the parents to leave his and make sure they show you how to fit it correctly. I think its from approx 20 lb that they can move into a forward facing 5 point car seat. I use maxi cozi tobi car seats for my own 1 yr old and 2 yr old. I have 2 additional 5 point forward facing seats for my mindies and use boosters for my schoolies.. They are height dependant. As others have mentioned in europe they use rear facing seats all the time, they are not as common here but are considered to be safer.. I had to judge what advise i was given when buying mine and got forward facing.

[blue bear]

If it was me and I was buying new I would buy a seat that suits a new born rear facing and then you can turn forward facing when older. I have a britax freeway I think it's called,a traditional looking bucket seat as I call them.

I would buy two of the highback type seats with full harness on them I've got nania ones, the harness in the second seat I woukd take out for the older child and store it for when you are likely to need it for the 7 month old when it gets bigger and you have another baby start.
Always try to think multi use as your numbers and age of children could change at any point.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Hi,
The seat they are in is weight determined. The 7 month old will probably still be in the baby carry seat. Like others have said, if uv not got 1 ask the parents to leave his and make sure they show you how to fit it correctly. I think its from approx 20 lb that they can move into a forward facing 5 point car seat. I use maxi cozi tobi car seats for my own 1 yr old and 2 yr old. I have 2 additional 5 point forward facing seats for my mindies and use boosters for my schoolies.. They are height dependant. As others have mentioned in europe they use rear facing seats all the time, they are not as common here but are considered to be safer.. I had to judge what advise i was given when buying mine and got forward facing.

This information is all outdated now

I keep my babies in their first car seats until they have to come out and this is guaged buy their head and not the length of the seat. My advice is to go to your local Mothercare or seat fitting specialists as all seats are different fits in different cars. Get their advice and buy there or take the model away and search online for something cheaper.

I feel that you need something safe and secure with a 5 point harness and wouldn't put any child in a high back booster seat until the are tall enough for the seat belt to go over their shoullder (no gap between should and belt access)

Also contact your local LA as they may have a car seat course that you can attend

[sprinkles]

If it was me and I was buying new I would buy a seat that suits a new born rear facing and then you can turn forward facing when older. I have a britax freeway I think it's called,a traditional looking bucket seat as I call them.

I would buy two of the highback type seats with full harness on them I've got nania ones, the harness in the second seat I woukd take out for the older child and store it for when you are likely to need it for the 7 month old when it gets bigger and you have another baby start.
Always try to think multi use as your numbers and age of children could change at any point.

I think this is what I'll do, thanks! How do I know if 3 seats will fit in my back seats though??

[hectors house]

If it was me and I was buying new I would buy a seat that suits a new born rear facing and then you can turn forward facing when older. I have a britax freeway I think it's called,a traditional looking bucket seat as I call them.

I would buy two of the highback type seats with full harness on them I've got nania ones, the harness in the second seat I woukd take out for the older child and store it for when you are likely to need it for the 7 month old when it gets bigger and you have another baby start.
Always try to think multi use as your numbers and age of children could change at any point.

I have a seat that is from 0-4 and is supposed to be able to be used rear facing but in my old scenic the seat belts weren't long enough (as the base is quite bulky) and can't fit it rear facing in new scenic either - I just end up asking the parents to leave baby carrier type seat until they are big/heavy enough to go forward facing in my 0-4 seat. Then I have 2 other seats that have 5 point harnesses that are from 9 months and a high back booster that I can use in the front if I have children over 4 and parents don't mind them being in front seat. I don't like putting boosters in back as have had child unclip seatbelt of baby seat as well as theirs and didn't tell me! Also it's really hard to fit my hand between seats to do up seatbelts, so prefer to use the 5 point harness seats.

[blue bear]

I think this is what I'll do, thanks! How do I know if 3 seats will fit in my back seats though??

It will depend what car you have. The nania high back with full harness are quite narrow. The britax prince is narrow too, this is a full harness bucket style seat but only travels forward facing.