Car Seats

[~Trish~]

Hi Nae . The one with the swivel base is a Turn-a-tot and I've heard it is great for fitting in smaller cars. The only downside is that it doesn't swivel when in forward-facing mode, but that's not really a biggie.

Another model that suits smaller cars is the Safe-N-Sound Compaq. It is smaller and narrower than standard SNS car seats so that may be good too.

I personally love Safe-N-Sound car seats, they are great quality, exceed safety standards and very user friendly.

Good luck deciding!

[*LovemyKids*]

I have a turn a tot and i LOVE IT!!!

I have a landcruiser so i have a big car and its great. I got it so i can turn it around and put bubs in rather then having to climb up. I found it really easy to turn around without having to unhook the seat. It is a great size for smaller cars and its a great size for my car as i have two booster seats as well as a baby seat in the back. My DD is only a little girl and i think she will be in it for a while she is nearly 1. I first bought it when i found out i was pregnant with her and my middle son used it for a while he was probably about 2 so he still fit in it fine. honestly i really like my turn a tot!!!
You can actually go to the baby shops and they will let you try it in your car to see which one fits best!!!

HTH Nikki

[Just Me]

I have a Safe and Sound AHR Meredian for my DD and I love it. The base is really stable and doesn't tend to move about the way some of the other car seats I have seen do. It is quite big though when it is rearward facing.

For my second baby I bought a capsule (you can also hire them). I found it so much better than the rearward facing carseat. If the baby falls asleep, you can take out the whole thing and you don't have to worry about taking in another bed for them. If you know you are going out, you can put them to sleep in the capsule and then you don't have to disturb them. My capsule also had a rocker on the bottom so I could put DS in it and rock him with my foot while I was out. It also fits in the top of my pram so I could just take it out of the car and put it straight into the pram. It also took up less room than a rearward facing carseat and was much quicker to put DS in the car because I did all the buckling up while I was inside.

The downside is that it won't take you all the way to toddler, but you can hire them from the ambulance for $60 for 6 months (in Queensland but I imagine it would be similar in other places). I got mine on special from Target for $200 normally $300.

HTH

[rufalina]

I love the safe'n'sound compaq. It is prefect for my Astra. DH has been happy in it rearward facing till now (11.5 months), and he is just getting a bit long for it. I have never had a problem with getting him in and out. easy. I will be turning it round on the weekend.
We can easily fit two compaqs and a person in the back seat of our car... well almost easily, it is definately do-able!

ETA - My sister has one in her 2 door astra and it fits easily there too. She would sit on the front seat and pop her DD in, now it is front facing it is easier...

[Just Me]

DH has been happy in it rearward facing till now (11.5 months), and he is just getting a bit long for it. I have never had a problem with getting him in and out.

Rufalina - I know it's a typo but now I have visions of your DH in a rearward facing carseat.

[Megan]

I also have a safe n sound compaq in my Astra. It came recommended to me by a family friend who fits car seats. I can still sit comfortably in the passenger seat with the car seat behind me (but I am a 5ft 3 shorty!)

[cheekyfrog]

I have the safe n sound compaq deluxe, Nae. It was recommended by Choice and by various motoring associations. It's good for small cars. I bought it when I had a Nissan Pulsar sedan, although I now have a slightly bigger Holden Astra wagon. Matthew is still rear facing in it at 8 months and nearly 10kg and looks comfortable.

[NaeNae]

Thanks so much for your replies ladies,

DH and I had a chat last night and he isn't fussed what we get and basically told me to keep researching. I have found a great website that does reviews on different products which I have also found quite useful. Dh DID tell me though that I am not to go racing out and spending money until we get past 25 weeks - talk about spoiling all my fun

All I wanna do is SHOP darn it.

I quite like the look of the safe and sound compaq now from spending some time reading/ researching but like some have suggested I will try to find somewhere that does sell them and do the car fit thing to see for myself which one I think will be best for my little bluey (my car).

PLease if anyone else has suggestions or feedback I will be shoping in 11 weeks time please please post your thoughts.

Nae x x