Does anyone know under the new child restraint laws a child need to be in a forward facing seat till they are 4. The only forward facing seats that we can find go to 18kg. DS1 is currently 15kg at 2years old so i would expect that he would reach 18kg before he turns 4. My understanding is that the new laws are based on age rather than weight so what will we do when he reaches 18kg and is not yet 4? Is there a forward facing seat that goes past 18kg? We were going to get the maxi rider but have decided against it after getting some expert advice on it. TIA
We spoke to the RAA in South Australia and they basically said that current research shows that they arent the best for kids DS's age as they are too wide for a child his age to get the full benefit of the AHR feature and too upright as he still sleeps in the car sometimes. Also as he is such a big kid by the time he reaches booster age the maxi rider will be too small anyway as it is on the smallish side for a booster so basically we will pay $300 odd dollars and then need to buy another booster to accommodate his height.
the AHR can recline slightly.
My Dd has been in it for over 12 months she is a small child build wise, she has had no issues with it she sleeps in the car whenever we drive longer than 20 min. no worries.
the height of the AHR is greater than any booster seat when you have the AHR at full height.
we looked into this as DD1 is 95%tile in height she is as tall as the 4yos now and no where near going over it..
my kids sleep in the maxirider ok? Maybe read some more reviews on the hipod? because I read a few where they said their kids have been leaning forward when sleeping?
Hmm, never heard that, always thought they were the best for younger kids who were larger as they were wider, taller, but also have the inbuilt harness so they can stay in it for as long as they need, as well as being able to be used with a H-harness and some other stuff once they get to the right stage.
Jazz also sleeps in it fine.
I'd also like to know where you are getting a $300 Maxirider?!?!?!
We have the Hipod, which goes to 26kg. I have a heavy boy and it's great for him (DS2). It also anchors in and you use your normal sash belt (the one in your car already). Like Feeb I have heard only good things about the Maxi Rider, I think on Choice that and the Hipod get rated the best?
We got it from Target during their sales.
I am pretty sure the new laws have variances in them that allow for Height and Weight.
Jazz was the same, 15kg before 2 years old, so we bought her a Maxirider AHR that goes to 26kg. Everything I read and everyone I talked to recommended that one over others, so would be interested to know what expert advice you have?
There are others that go to 26kg. I figure if that doesn't last, theres something wrong
Curious too....the professional we got to install ours said that there was nothing close to it on the market, said it was by far the safest. So just wondering what the issue is too.
ETA - Just saw your reply - the maxi rider has three or four different positions when forward facing to allow for kids who still sleep.
DS was/is big for his age but have found he has been between 15 - 16 kgs for a few months now. This is his first plateau too so just something to consider (he will be 3 in March) So we are looking at upgrading his seat from his current forward facing seat but I still want the protection of the 5 point harness and don't like the idea of just a seat belt. In my research of the convertible booster/forward facing seats is that the in build 5 point harness can't be used beyond 18 kgs either but you can buy a converter that converts the seat belt into a 5 point harness so you still get that safety aspect. As for brands I am currently looking at the Infa Secure range and have found they have very good reviews.
Thats a good point too kelebek. Jazz has been on her plateau for over 12 months now, wearing the same clothes since August 2008, and only just growing out of them now.
New child restraint laws question
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