European moms - carseat question

kelly321 · November 2012

Yet another carseat question from me...

Before DD, we just took the advice from friends and got a used Maxi Cosi (hadn't been in any accidents) with a 3-point harness. Now that I've done more research, I'd prefer a 5-point harness and we're getting a new one since I have no idea when the expiration date of the Maxi Cosi was. I didn't even know carseats had expiration dates when we got it for DD. Embarrassed

The only infant seat I've been able to find with a 5-point harness has been the Recaro, but everyone seems to complain that it's only worth the cost if you have a really small baby because "normal" sized babies grow out of it in less than 5 months. Now, that would have been perfect for DD because at 19 months she's still only 9kg, but who knows what this LO will be like.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Or does anyone know why all of of the Maxi Cosis, R?mer, etc only have 3-point harnesses? What do/did you use for your infant?

kelly321 · November 2012

mrscjmb9410:
We have a MaxiCosi Cabriofix with the belt-in base (there is also in isofix base) which has a 3-point harness.
The reasons I have seen that there is 3pt harness instead of 5pt:
1. There should only be one point of opening in case of emergency
2. 5pt harness can put unnecessary strain on torso in event of accident.
3. 3pt harness allows for tighter fit of straps esp with a newborn b/c there are no hip straps pulling the crotch buckle away from baby's body
from what i understand/have seen only the infant bucket seats have 3pt harnesses. the seats for older babies/children have the 5pt harness.
hth

The 5pts also only have one point of opening, which is why I don't understand why there aren't more of them.

But if you say there are safety concerns with 5pt harnesses as well, then I'll do a little research on that to maybe ease my conscience since we'll probably end up going with a Maxi Cosi with Isofix (I don't want to have to bother with belting it in the car when we've got a toddler to worry about, too!).

Thanks!

MouseInLux · November 2012

We have the cabriofix, its got some of the best reviews in the EU. As you've see most infant seats here are 3 pt harness. I have, however, recently seen a Romer seat that's 5 pt. It's this one https://www.britax-roemer.com/car-seats/overview-car-seats/baby-safe-plus-ii

Graco also make a 5pt infant seat https://www.graco.co.uk/cdetail.php?catCode=28

sorry they aren't clicky but I'm on DH's mac and it has a qwertz keyboard and I can't find anything!

MouseInLux · November 2012

OOooh! or you could get this one, this is what I'd get if I needed a new infant seat. It apparently fits great in most cars and it'll really grow with the child

https://shop.carseat.se/car-seats/duologic-2.html

kelly321 · November 2012

MouseInLux:
OOooh! or you could get this one, this is what I'd get if I needed a new infant seat. It apparently fits great in most cars and it'll really grow with the child
https://shop.carseat.se/car-seats/duologic-2.html

On the one hand I love the idea of convertibles because they grow with the baby, but on the other hand with an infant it's really convenient to just be able to keep them in the seat to go visit people, go to a restaurant, etc. That's why we'll most likely stick to the bucket seat option. Still, it is tempting to go with a convertible :-)

MouseInLux · November 2012

kelly321:
MouseInLux:
OOooh! or you could get this one, this is what I'd get if I needed a new infant seat. It apparently fits great in most cars and it'll really grow with the child
https://shop.carseat.se/car-seats/duologic-2.html
On the one hand I love the idea of convertibles because they grow with the baby, but on the other hand with an infant it's really convenient to just be able to keep them in the seat to go visit people, go to a restaurant, etc. That's why we'll most likely stick to the bucket seat option. Still, it is tempting to go with a convertible :-)

Oh but this isn't any old convertible...this can be removed like the infant seat AND it has built in wheels for airport use etc and a handle. The only strange thing is the carry handle, it pulls up from the sides.

jb2rn · November 2012

I don't think I have seen any five point harness ones over here?

We had a Maxi Cosi Pebble and really liked it. I felt like ds was very safe in it.

kelly321 · November 2012

MouseInLux:
kelly321:
MouseInLux:
OOooh! or you could get this one, this is what I'd get if I needed a new infant seat. It apparently fits great in most cars and it'll really grow with the child
https://shop.carseat.se/car-seats/duologic-2.html
On the one hand I love the idea of convertibles because they grow with the baby, but on the other hand with an infant it's really convenient to just be able to keep them in the seat to go visit people, go to a restaurant, etc. That's why we'll most likely stick to the bucket seat option. Still, it is tempting to go with a convertible :-)
Oh but this isn't any old convertible...this can be removed like the infant seat AND it has built in wheels for airport use etc and a handle. The only strange thing is the carry handle, it pulls up from the sides.

Grr. TB has been eating my responses lately. I replied to this last night with something like:

Surprise

But I want to look for pictures of people carrying the infant seat with those handles because I can't quite picture in my mind how they work, especially since with DD I didn't carry her seat in my hand (I would have had to lean my body at like a 50? angle in the other direction to counterbalance) but in the crook of my elbow. Don't know if that's possible with those handles.

MouseInLux · November 2012

kelly321:
MouseInLux:
kelly321:
MouseInLux:
OOooh! or you could get this one, this is what I'd get if I needed a new infant seat. It apparently fits great in most cars and it'll really grow with the child
https://shop.carseat.se/car-seats/duologic-2.html
On the one hand I love the idea of convertibles because they grow with the baby, but on the other hand with an infant it's really convenient to just be able to keep them in the seat to go visit people, go to a restaurant, etc. That's why we'll most likely stick to the bucket seat option. Still, it is tempting to go with a convertible :-)
Oh but this isn't any old convertible...this can be removed like the infant seat AND it has built in wheels for airport use etc and a handle. The only strange thing is the carry handle, it pulls up from the sides.
Grr. TB has been eating my responses lately. I replied to this last night with something like:
But I want to look for pictures of people carrying the infant seat with those handles because I can't quite picture in my mind how they work, especially since with DD I didn't carry her seat in my hand (I would have had to lean my body at like a 50? angle in the other direction to counterbalance) but in the crook of my elbow. Don't know if that's possible with those handles.

there is an instruction video on youtube with a lady carrying it. It's not in English but you don't need the spoken part to see the car seat.

tlew12778 · November 2012

There are definitely a few buckets on the EU market now with 5-pt harness. We recently had this discussion on car-seat.org. I know for sure Britax makes one.

But that said, we use a Cabriofix. The 3-pt harnesses in Europe are made differently than the 3-pt harnesses in the US. In the US, as far as I have gleamed off C-S.org, the buckle is down by the cover and not up near the tummy like in Europe. This is an escape risk for houdini children. This is also why the chest clip is required in the US. There is no way a child could get their arms out of a properly tightened EU 3-pt bucket harness.

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