Car seat recommendations for ERF?

**phebee** · January 8th, 2013, 05:40 PM

DD is almost 11 months and we are going to buy a new car seat and give the current one to MIL for when she looks after DD when I go back to work. It's a SNS Premier and can rear face to 12kg. DD is about 9.4kg.

I want the new car seat to be rear facing as long as possible but also to be able to be used long term (eg convert to booster when DD is older). Does such a thing exist? If so, what is it? If not I guess we can get one that's 0-4yrs and use it with a second bub and get DD a booster when the time comes. Just trying to figure it out and what seats are best for ERF?

**onthefly** · January 8th, 2013, 05:49 PM

12kg is still the max for rear facing under current aus standards.

**willow5** · January 8th, 2013, 05:55 PM

I think most of the rear-facing to booster type seats have quite a low rear-facing use, around 9kgs. That's the trouble with seats branded 'The only seat you'll ever need' The dedicated seats are usually a better seat for the stage they are designed for. It's hard to produce a seat that is excellent in all stages IYKWIM.
If you are after a seat for ERF I would recommend either the SnS Meridian or the InfaSecure Neon/Kompressor. They are tested rear-facing up to 15kgs and have the highest rear-facing height markers on the Australian market at the moment. But they are 0-4 seats. Infa have an 0-8 seat, but the rear-facing markers are quite low and I think it has only been tested to 9kgs for rear-facing.

**luna moth** · January 8th, 2013, 06:52 PM

Infa neon. All my ERF buddies love it.

**phebee** · January 9th, 2013, 04:49 PM

Big W are holding an InfaSecure Neon for us to look at tomorrow. Thanks for your advice ladies!

**willow5** · January 9th, 2013, 06:36 PM

Cool

The Kompressors are just the more plush version of the Neons, not sure if they stock them in BigW. So if you like colour choices or more plush fabrics even shade covers then that is the difference between the Neons and Kompressors. The Kompressors also have a slimmer base than the Neon, so a plus if you have to install another seat next to it

The Kompressor models also have cushier inserts for newborns than the basic Neon model.

**phebee** · January 10th, 2013, 03:07 PM

We got the Neon! Didn't see the Kompressor there but they did have one that goes to 8 yrs. Cant remember what that one's called! :P

**willow5** · January 10th, 2013, 03:26 PM

I hope you're happy with it, I hear they are simple to install too. Let us know how you go

**phebee** · January 10th, 2013, 06:55 PM

We'll get Kidsafe to install it and our current one into MILs car. Just gotta book that in now!

**willow5** · January 10th, 2013, 06:58 PM

Cool

Love to hear how you go using it too. You know like if it's user friendly, easy to get your DD in and out and if she's comfy etc ... I'm a bit of a car seat tragic lol and am considering a Neon/Kompressor for bub on the way so it's always good to hear what others think when they've used it for a bit

**phebee** · January 14th, 2013, 11:39 PM

It's being installed on Thursday

**willow5** · January 15th, 2013, 09:25 AM

Excellent

**onthefly** · January 15th, 2013, 11:59 AM

I've now decided to buy one too! The buckle on DD's seems a bit dodgy and DS isn't big enough for the next seat up.

**willow5** · January 15th, 2013, 01:01 PM

Maybe I could get a job in sales for Infa

You're the third person who has looked a buying one this week after talking to me lol

**onthefly** · January 15th, 2013, 05:00 PM

maybe!
Well installation was easy. adjusting and altering the shoulder straps was a bit trickier than with our safe & sound, but I think that's just because it took me a while to realise that they adjusted from the opposite ends! I mad it hard for myself. DD is very chuffed with it 263272_10151229310747602_1260173867_n.jpg