Extended rear facing car seats

[srisky]

Does anyone have any experience of these and able to recommend one?

Our daughter's head is beginning to reach the top of her infant car seat and I would like to keep her rear facing for as long as possible. We would like a seat that will last until she is 12y (or whatever the height/weight is before they can use the adult belt alone) i.e. be rear facing, then convert to forward facing when required and finally act as a booster seat.

There are various centres where you can go for advice and have the seat fitted but I would like to have a bit of knowledge first!

Any advice welcome...

[Beagle]

hello,

Thread from last year here although maybe not inclusive of the longevity of what you are searching for.

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,803288,803465#msg-803465

We had one, but had to turn round as daughter terribly car sick and was possibly contributing.

[snowboarder]

We have the rear facing BeSafe iZi Isofix seat - but I think this is only suitable until 4/18kg. Our 18m old has been in it since 10m and seems comfy, and doesn't seem to mind rear facing - but does have his forward facing brother to look at! Our older child (3.5) is in a kiddy guardian pro isofix which is good up to 12 yrs BUT is forward facing - I'm not sure there is one that does both? I like the kiddy seat but I'm not sure I'd put a 1 yr old in it (I know people do!) - it has virtually no recline for sleeping - oldest boy slumps face first onto the impact cushion when he sleeps - and my youngest HATED the impact cushion.

[Gooders79]

I was convinced rear facing was the way forward for our boy until I went to have one fitted... I was about to buy the britax multitech, erfs until 18kg and then switch to ff up to 25kg. Basically it's not an isofix and so attaches via tether straps, all of the rear facing seats cam impact on passenger seat space, they take quite a bit of practice to reinstall properly so not great if you're taking in and out. Ultimately we decided against and have moved him to a ff seat. Baby care in Petts wood were really helpful and I'd recommend.

Another factor I hadn't considered was at about 11 mo baby gooders was less happy in a car sear rf, much happier now ff...

Good luck

[srisky]

Thanks all for your replies - very helpful indeed.

Luckily (for the time being) my daughter is more than happy being rear facing, however, sods law would state that the moment we buy a new rear facing seat then she'll hate it so the option to switch it to forward facing would be great. Also very useful info re: Petts Wood, not far at all, and also that they take up so much room - we have a golf and with baby#2 hopefully on the way in March there will be very little room left in the back!

[Gooders79]

We have a golf too, the britax would have required passenger seat to be nearly as far forwards as it could go.

[snowboarder]

Yep we have a massive skoda octavia estate and the besafe takes up LOADS of space.

[bluesuperted]

We have a Golf and the Britax 2-way elite, I love it and my son definitely prefers it to FF when he recently had to on holiday abroad. I read they like RF as once they are up high (ie not in a maxi cosi) they can see loads and get to see things for longer rather than just flying past iykwim. I'm short so it doesn't bother me that it takes up space but I also know people with longer legged passengers who haven't complained about feeling cramped.

[The Nappy Lady]

My 2nd was rear facing til 3, then seat turned to forward facing & still fits her well at nearly 4. I had it fitted at the place at Petts Wood too and they couldn't have been more helpful, even offered to fit again in a new car if we got one, or when I wanted to turn it around if need be. Do make an appointment for a fitting though, don't just turn up.

We have a Volvo Estate & agree it's a but if a pain having to have the passenger seat so far forward when using the rear facing seat, but not that bad, and it's worth it for the peace of mind as long as you're not going to be moving it from car to car regularly which would be a real pain.

Xx

[srisky]

Thanks bluesuperted and nappy lady - reassuring info. I'm not tall so hopefully will be fine and hubby will prob be happy to be a bit squashed for the greater good. We don't plan on taking the car seat out once installed but may need to get a second for the grandparents' car and use that for the second baby once they are bigger.

[Undiscovered]

Hi,

We have a 14 month old and looking in to a group 1+ rear facing but won't fit in the car - well it will but a passing wouldn't (and I am 5'3") and we are gutted. However, we think we are going to go with the Kiddy forward facing alternative after speaking to people at Peppermint on Northcote Road. Not rear facing but the next best thing - just in case others have the same dissapoitment.

[srisky]

Just to feedback following all your useful advice...

...we went to the Baby care place in Petts Wood and, as others have said, they were very helpful. We ended up buying the BeSafe iZi Isofix seat (the Britax 2 way elite was not avialable so not sure how it would compare). BeSafe only goes up to 18kg (approx. 4y) but with baby #2 on the way it will probably get used again almost as soon as our daughter grows out of it. We also found that for us the transfer from one car to another was easier with this particular model (e.g. grandparents' car, which doesn't have the isofix). We were initially pondering getting a second for the grandparents' car (as mentioned in one of my earlier posts) but decided they wouldn't be using it often enough to make it worthwhile. Our daughter seems happy in it but good to know that it can also be turned to forwad facing if needed. Hopefully, she will remain rear facing for some time, especially once baby #2 arrives and she has some rear facing company!

Thanks for the advice!