Infant car seats + airplane friendly 3-in-1

[ik9000]

Another item on the list of things I thought I'd never have to deal with. Help. Any pointers?

edit mrsik9000 has just pointed out that we will need an airplane friendly option while it's still a baby, so now also searching for a decent 3-in-1 that is Easy Jet/BA/Virgin etc compatible/approved.

[cptwhite_uk]

I've got 4 of these. Highly recommended.

https://www.pramworld.co.uk/cozy-n-s...4c&fo_s=gplauk

1) Memory foam lining
2) Covers 9 months upto 11 year old
3 ) Nice long straps (so easy to get kids in)
4) Quick recline function at front/bottom when they've fallen to sleep
5) Can be used with or without ISO fix points (ISO fix points highly recommended for any seat)
6) Top strap for a 3rd point of fix over the seat to the rear of the boot for max stability
7) Nice cushion pads and sides for head / straps
8) Removeable memory foam liner for when they're smaller
9) Adjustable head rest height

For new borns I'd get a 3-in-1 travel system, where the carry cot can be fitted to a base in the car, then released and fitted to a frame to make it into a cot/pram, and also a larger "full" cot which can be fitted to the frame as well.

[Jonj1611]

I agree for newborn's 3 in 1's are godsends.

[cptwhite_uk]

Dont be tempted to get something for £50, then realise you need a bigger one when they're 3/4 years old. This one will stay in good condition and fit them for all their time in a seat (9 months+)

[ik9000]

Thanks that's really useful. Surprised it thinks an 11yr old is really only 36kg? that seems light to me

How cleanable/washable is it?

What do I get for a newborn to bridge the gap?

Also you have four of them? You have my sympathies you poor thing! What does that force you to drive to fit all those in?

[jimbouk]

Need to consider ISO fix / fit - if you have a vaguely modern/sensible car then you'll most likely have it. We have it in the Dacia but not in the MR2 so a different car seat for each (also needed one with a narrower base than most for the MR2...).

+1 on the travel system for newborns. We went with Cosatto stuff, actually got the 3 in 1 system second hand as the owner had a second on the way.

Removable covers are essential, as it a blanket over the back seats to catch the rest of 'it'.

[ik9000]

car is 2010 and has iso though it's needing some major work that may render it time to get a new one altogether.

[ik9000]

I see there's a version for 0-11 https://www.pramworld.co.uk/cozy-n-s...-seat-graphite. It sounds like it can only be used in rear-facing mode for newborns etc and that mode requires the seal belt rather than iso fixing. Not sure if that will matter too much unless we're constantly trying to move it in and out the car.

If that seat lives in the car we can get a 3-in-1 travel/airplane friendly for visiting relatives etc while it's still wee. So I guess that becomes my 2nd hunt alongside this

[Jonj1611]

But you will find it easier with a three in one. Taking a baby out of a pram etc while sleeping and then putting them in a car seat won't leave you feeling happy, especially if they wake up. Trust me its so much easier to lift them out a three in one and click in place into the car.

[Jonj1611]

The one we had (was a long time ago now) had a permanent fixture in the car so when you took the car seat out of the pram part it just clicked into place in the car

[cptwhite_uk]

Thanks that's really useful. Surprised it thinks an 11yr old is really only 36kg? that seems light to me

How cleanable/washable is it?

What do I get for a newborn to bridge the gap?

Also you have four of them? You have my sympathies you poor thing! What does that force you to drive to fit all those in?

Not 4 kids fortunately , 2 in my car and 2 in the wife's

[ik9000]

But you will find it easier with a three in one. Taking a baby out of a pram etc while sleeping and then putting them in a car seat won't leave you feeling happy, especially if they wake up. Trust me its so much easier to lift them out a three in one and click in place into the car.

The one we had (was a long time ago now) had a permanent fixture in the car so when you took the car seat out of the pram part it just clicked into place in the car

We've already bought the pram-buggy and didn't think about all this. Noob mistakes... We're now trying to see if such an adaptor for the car exists. Given we'll need an airplane friendly option, and we're not sure if the buggy will be, we will probably still need to get a 3-in-1 anyway so I don't think it's too disastrous.

Not 4 kids fortunately , 2 in my car and 2 in the wife's

ah that makes more sense.

[cptwhite_uk]

Also something to cover the seats is a good idea - we use a folded over bath mat from Dunlem under the seats so the contact points don't mark the upholstery. An undersheet / blanket to capture mess also sounds like a good idea.

[Jonj1611]

Yes if its new it can be a bit of a learning curve!

[cptwhite_uk]

We've already bought the pram-buggy and didn't think about all this. Noob mistakes... We're now trying to see if such an adaptor for the car exists. Given we'll need an airplane friendly option, and we're not sure if the buggy will be, we will probably still need to get a 3-in-1 anyway so I don't think it's too disastrous.



ah that makes more sense.

There's buggy/cots, which are more for new borns, beds on wheels basically. The 3-in-1 system are basically these, but with a car seat which can also fix to the frame. Then there's more light weight strollers / prams, suitable for carrying by hand, and taking on hoiday. While the buggy/cot type do fold down, they aren't really practical for taking places as they're much more cumbersome. The strollers are good when you need something light weight. We had a Mountain Buggy and is was worth it's weight in gold, very light and compacted down into a square shape, as opposed to collapsing sideways into a long / thin shape. Made it very compact and easy to carry with the carry handle. Strollers are as cheap as £25-30 new, but the Mountain Buggy Nano is about £150. If you can afford it, it's worth the extra cost as you'll use it for a good 2 or 3 years.

[badass]

Please be careful with the newborn and sleeping in any kind of seat. Particularly car seats and 3 in 1's when you are not travelling. Positional asphyixiation can kill them.
https://www.heart.co.uk/lifestyle/pa...to%20be%20open.