Car seats

Hi Guys, I know we did a pram discussion....now can we do one on car seats?

We have been looking around and we are confused!

We saw a GO Safe brand (which my hubby liked) and Safe-n-sound brand (which I liked), Go safe has a 6 year warranty while safe-n-sound has 5 years warranty. Both say birth to 18kg.

I have a 2000 Mitsi S/W and I don’t know what kind of car seat to buy????

HELP!!

I forgot the other option you have is you can always ring plunket and see which ones they endorse.

Not really too important to get a from birth one as is often easier to rent a capsule from baby factory and then you can get the clip-on wheels. That way, when they are asleep in the car you don't have to disturb them if you want to go shopping or whatever.

We were lucky and got a birth-4yrs car seat for $25 under a scheme in West Auckland.

I'd say definitely get a carseat that goes from birth and hire a capsule. Hannah was in the capsule for 4 months and by that time her legs were hanging out the end of it!
The carseat we have now is a Safe'n'Sound Guardian, which is the model Emma said that the stabilising bars often need replacing. I don't think mine needs replacing yet, but I could see how easy they would be to break if you were removing the carseat from the car a lot.
I don't think it matters which carseat for which car, but make sure you figure out how to use the tether strap properly. For that you'll need to attach an anchor bolt and either drill a hole or use one that is already there.

It cost me $20 to have an anchor point installed in my car, so that's not a major, and most carseats do need bolting in.

I agree that a capsule would be useful, we never had one for Maya, she went straight into a birth-18kg seat, which meant a lot of lifting her in and out of the carseat and waking her up unneccessarily as a newborn. Next time round we are definitely going with a capsule.

im renting mine through baby-on-the-move. It cost us $155 for the capsule, the base that stays in the car and it clicks into, and the snap-and-go trolley. get about $50 back when we return it. The base is really good as im in and out alot.

Kara

we had my sister's baby capsule for paris, and she got too long for it very quickly. we now rent a plunket one for her, but are looking to probably buy one some time since it will get good use from both kiddies. we got an ex-rental capsule for this baby from the baby factory, for $75.

have looked at some great car seats that go from birth upwards but it does depend on the type of car you have.

In answer to your questions Roksana, 1) if you want to find which ones fit nicely in your car. pick ones you think you would like, then ask the shop assisstant to come with while you try it in your car. (just means you have to park nearby).. most are more than obliging. sometimes what you think may fit, doesn't - our first baby capsule was a little awkward cos our back seats have such a backward slope in them that it made the carseat sit very upright.

2) with the bolts, you are looking on the piece at the top behind the back seats of your car, might be the parcel tray or whatever. there should be a hole on either side that the bolt can go through - it may not be visable from the inside of the car, you might have to look at the underside of it from in your boot.. cos alot of the time you just have to cut the carpet covering it first... if you're still unsure, take it to a car dealer.

hhmm actually. my partner mike works for Mitsi, lol.. I'll ask him when he gets home about it and get back to you.   

We are using a plunket rental as well. We are lucky Jayden has just moved into a booster seat so that leaves his carseat for abby.

I thought about a capsule this time even went as far as going to baby factory to buy one. Even though i had Alyssa's safe and sound in the car for Jayde. The lady at the baby factory talked me out of buying a capsule (well not really talked me out of it) Just told me that the safe and sound ones are the only car seats that exceed nz safety standards (must be the teether strap) she told me all the others were made to european or australian standards which arnt as tough as ours, doesnt really explain why we are allowed to use the others then if they dont meet our standards. Any way ive found it pretty hard with two kids. I think a capsule would have been way less hassle. And i wonder now what the differnce is betweent the standards its probably minor.

Another option to save u money is to Hire the capsule for 6 mnths then when u buy the next size seat there is one at farmers that u use from 6 mnths and doubles as a booster,it has a 5 point harness for up untill they dont need it then use car seatbelt for booster.it is on special for $159.00.why pay $100+ twice over I say.