I wasn't going to... but I can't help myself. Car seats.

[belfie]

Ok so I was determined to get through car seats on my own... no posting... I'm a big girl now, I can do it! But... as always... I have questions!

So had a look at all the safety stuff & older threads... and sounds like Safe'n'Sound is the way to go. LIked the look of the convertible seats (birth to 18kg) and ultimately came down to Meridien versus Compaq Deluxe. The Compaq actually seemed to do slightly better in the safety testing last year, so I'm leaning towards that. While the Meridien raves that it has more, I'm not sure how much difference it makes..? Happy to be enlightened tho!

But I'm still confused about something else. I've read that some people hire a baby capsule to start with... easier to travel with bubs & not disturb sleep. So that sounds logical... but... all the sites say don't buy a car seat that's second hand/history unknown/coulda been in a crash etc. So if you were to hire a capsule, how do you know it's been looked after? Which way would/did you go? straight to a convertible seat, or get/buy a capsule first?

Thanks!

[catherinemoses]

Hi There!
I was going to go for a capsule (we got given one but it was too old and didn't have a 5 point harness). In the end I decided to get the convertible car seat and it works well for us. Some people rave about having a capsule, but most mums say they are just too darn heavy with a bub in them! (After Flynn was born and even now, 2 months later, I feel very weak and have trouble lifting heavy stuff, plus you're worn out and sleep deprived!!)
In regards to hire, I'm sure that hire companies would be very strict about knowing the safety history of their equipment, so I wouldn't be worried about that. HTH
Catherine

[Janie]

We were lucky enough to be given a capsule by friends, we knew it hadn't bee in an accident. I would highly recommend using a capsule for newborn bubs, I loved it. And everyone I know who uses one loves them. I am pretty sure also that they are recommended safety-wise as being the best option for a newborn. So for me, that was the number one reason to use one. But I also loved that I didn't have to wake DS to get him in and out of the car. It was winter when he was little, and we would just rug him up, and if he needed to go to sleep not too long before we went out we'd just put him in the capsule, and then in the car when we were leaving. Likewise when we arrived home, if he was still asleep, we'd just leave him in the capsule until he woke up (unless it was late at night). If I needed to nick into the shops quickly, I would just carry him in it, which makes things alot easier.

I miss using it actually! Though I don't fancy carrying around 10kgs PMSL! Look, people will say 'yes get one' and others will say 'no don't'. I know that plenty of people survive just fine with a convertible car seat from birth.

ETA About the hire, I'd say they are pretty strict about having stuff in good condition. My mum hired a capsule for six months for her car, and it was brand new! Was nicer than ours LOL.

[Lolli]

Definately go a capsule hire, I couldn't live without mine, for the same reasons janie posted... at 7 kilos we are still using it to carry him back and forth and I think it was my favorite piece of baby equipment. And it just felt *safer* when he was so tiny. I'm sure the hire company would have very strict standards but maybe question them when you're checking out prices and what not?

[~breeze~]

We have the safe n sound meridien & were happy to use that from birth but when DD was about only 1 week old we went & purchased a capsule mainly for the convenience of leaving DD undisturbed while getting in & out of the car as it was a bit of a pain while she was tiny getting her in & out of the rearward facing carseat. It was also great having her rugged up in the capsule from before we left the house (especially if going out at night) & not needing to worry about blankets coming off etc as she was tucked in nicely.
I also agree that I think it is a safer option & I've heard it's not too expensive to hire so maybe look into what it will cost??

I highly recommend my safe n sound meridien, we still use it now & DD has just turned 3. Once our next bubs grows out of the capsule he will be using DD's carseat & she will go into her safe n sound booster we already have for her.
I love the way the side protection is a) there in the first plae & b) grows with your child up until approx 4 yrs! My DD is tall & it's still got room to grow with her.

I think car seats / capsules are one of the most important things to make sure the safety standards are high as its not only your driving that could cause an accident it's the people around you on the road.

I think it shows great parenting asking this question about recommendations on car seats as it shows you know the importance of the safety & your thinking entirely of your baby.

Good luck choosing, I hope I've helped

[Janie]

We also have the SnS Meridian, which I think is great. But I read somewhere recently that a car seat, any car seat, can only do it's job if installed and used correctly (I know, that seems obvious ). So yes, do your research on which seat to buy etc, but then do your research as to where/how to install it, and then make sure you know how to use it properly

[~breeze~]

We also have the SnS Meridian, which I think is great. But I read somewhere recently that a car seat, any car seat, can only do it's job if installed and used correctly (I know, that seems obvious ). So yes, do your research on which seat to buy etc, but then do your research as to where/how to install it, and then make sure you know how to use it properly

Great advice!

[Nai]

Not sure where you are located belfie but for fittings in Melbourne we used CREM, who are fantastic! They used to be in Arden St North Melb but have just moved to Maidstone. They have some relocation special deals on at the moment that we just got in the mail so maybe give them a call. We used them to fit out capsule and purchased our car seat through them as well.

[*Belle*]

We have the Safe N Sound Compaq, must say as we are having our 2nd baby soon we have gone and bought another carseat now for Julia (got the S&S Maxirider), she is 12 kgs and quite long and has already outgrown the S&S Compaq. If I had to do it from scratch again with first child, I would get hiring or borrowing a capsule and then get the SNS Meridian as its taller and will last longer than the SNS Compaq in the upright position.

[Beach Mama]

I saw the title and had a huge giggle
Now that I have stopped laughing at you! Good questions hun!!!! I have the Safe n Sound Premier and it is great, it has lots of nice snuggly padding for a bubby and we love it, however now that we are going with no#2 I am definately getting a capsule!!!! Izzy can stay in the Premier for a bit longer, and then when bub outgrows the capsule I will get the Maxi Rider- they definately are raved about on here. Capsules are just so easy when bubs is already asleep and you are visiting etc. and you don't have to wake them up. We are either borrowing from a friend who we know didn't have an accident or hiring from a reliable place like Hire for Baby - there is one in Kew and Vermont South I think- just google the name hun. Councils also hire them out. I think they do some sort of testing to make sure it hasn't been in an accident - not sure how else they know! Might check their site, but all the girls at my mothers group got their capsules from H4B.

One thing about the Premier and the other Safe n Sound seats. My girlfriend had her bub back in Jan and one day we were going to come to our place so I put her seat in our car to bring both bubs back I told her to go get the instructions in case it was tricky but told her I thought it would be ok. It was a Fisher Price seat from Kmart. Anyway turns out not only was it easy - it was EXACTLY the same as my seat for Izzy but with different branding on it. I couldn't believe it. Same factory in China obviously but they sew different badges on them and slightly different material. Ours was $300 at Baby Bunting on sale, hers was $170 at Kmart on sale and it is the SAME seat. Something to research and think about!
HtH!

[belfie]

Ok so first, you are all wonderful helpful ladies! Thank you all so much
After all your great comments, I'm thinking I should ask here BEFORE I start looking why on earth did I wait!!

So after reading all your words of wisdom - I'll definitely I'll hire the capsule from Baby for Hire (there's one nearby so that's easy - and they actually list the Safe'n'Sound baby capsule as their hire item!), and I'll also look at CREM. Re the safety component... weeell, DH is a safety nut, so whatever happens, we'll aways be going something safe... which is very good. See, I can even bash my head into this wall safely!
Ahem... silliness aside, the RACV site has a link to the evaluation they did on the various seats in Dec 07, and I agree that the seats need to be used correctly, but they did also find some differences in their testing... I should say though - in the categories we're talking about - all these models exceeded the Aus standard which is great.

*Belle* thanks so much for your comment re the compaq versus meridien. DH is very tall, so we're trying to go for things that will allow for a child who MIGHT be quite tall (for it's age) .

And finally YAY, that's one more thing I don't have to shell out for yet! WOO HOO!

Edit: hahaha thanks Tan! I missed your reply! And veeeerrrrry interesting re the Kmart brand! do you know what it was called?... DUH baby brain.. you said. I'll just shut up now! Hmm just checked the testing and none of the FP were included. DH will not be prepared to go for one that he can't see results on... *sighs* oh well

Thank you again ladies

[MantaRay]

Belfie, we managedj just fine wtihout a capsule both times. But really it's personal preference. Just note though that it's not good to leave babies sleeping in a capsule too much. Most people use the capsules so they can get baby out of the car easily without waking them, but it's bad for their spines to be left in there for long periods.

Also note that whether you hire a capsule or not, you will need a convertible car seat. Baby should be rear facing for as long as possible as it's much safer, ideally until they are 12 kgs which can be depending on the bub well after 12 months of age (my 20 month old isn't 12 kgs yet)!

[Janie]

MR, good point, I should have mentioned that. Although we did leave DS to continue sleeping in the capsule at times, we never did it for an extended period, as we knew it wasn't good for his little back.

And yes, bub should be left rear facing as long as possible, so it really is best to have a convertible car seat as well. We stopped using the capsule at 6 months for DS, and there is NO WAY I would have had him facing the front at that time. He's still rear facing now

I know it's slighty OT, but it is an important topic nonetheless - here is a thread about why you should keep bubs rear facing as long as possible

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ard-video.html

[Beach Mama]

Well said MR and Janie! Izzy still hasn't hit 9kgs let alone 12 so she will be rear-facing for a while yet!!!

[SamiH]

Baby should be rear facing for as long as possible as it's much safer, ideally until they are 12 kgs which can be depending on the bub well after 12 months of age (my 20 month old isn't 12 kgs yet)!

Laughing - my son was 13kgs at 1, and my daughter has just turned 3 and weighs 11kg!!!! She will be glad for her fathers slim build in another 10 years.

I have a SnS reversible bought for DS - DD still in it forward facing of course - I am going to hire a capsule for this little one hoping when he grows out of it my DD will be big enough for DS seat with harness .... wishful thinking I think at this stage, but I don't wanna buy another car seat ...

[Lolli]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I wanted to ask a question about the 12 kilo thing. I went to change our capaule to the rearward facing carseat this morning at the restraint fitters and was having a look at the book that came with that and my rearward facing only seems to last up to nine kilos, not twelve. Is it safe to leave him rear facing for longer, or should I turn it round at nine kilos? He's only 7 kilos at the moment so we have at least two months to go but I'd still rather have him facing rear after that and we really can't afford another car seat.

[belfie]

Hey Lorimae - good question! I dunno which brand you've got, but I know the SnS Baby Safety Capsule says: Suitable for a child from birth to 9kg in weight.

I'm now toying with buying a baby capsule, as i hope to have a second bubba (eventually!), so I think the price to use it for two wouldn't be that much different to hiring a capsule twice.

Also (yes, yet another question ), do ppl end up finding that they need more than one sort of seat for those early years - i.e. to cater for both yours and his cars? Later I'd get the booster seat... but at the stage they could be in a baby capsule or a convertible? I guess i'm thinking that given I'll need the convertible seat anyway evenutally (well once bubs is 9kg), and both the Compaq and Meridien say they're rear facing until 12kg in weight. So would it be worth putting the baby capsule in my car (for e.g.) and then just buy the convertible one early and put that in his? I imagine you could make do with just one seat/capsule in my car - i.e. just never go in his car with bubba, but I can see situations where it might be useful for some reason or another.

Ok so I've just finished bawling at that video (darn hormones! ) - jolly good watch (and no, it's not really that sad!). Janie thank you so much for linking that.

[MantaRay]

LR, if it says rear facing only until 9kgs, then you will have to turn it around then. Most of the ones on the market can be turned around any time between 8 and 12 kgs. But always follow the limits in the instructions.

We only one have car, but you do need two seats - the convertible ones only last until they get to a certain size. In QLD and some other states they need to be in boosters until age 7, so you do need a booster seat as well. The best ones of these can be used from 8 kgs I think right through. So you can generally with 2 kids get by with 3 seats in total - one convertible, one booster like the maxi rider, and then another booster when baby 2 outgrows the convertible (or depending on the age gap just two seats might even be fine).