Hi ALL,
I have started looking into which car seats to buy for our two bubs.
I have seen one by INFA called 'Turn a Tot'. Newborn to 18 kgs. $370 to $440.
This one is appealing because it seems to be the only one on the market that swivels around so that you don't have to twist your back each time you are getting bubs in or out of the car - you simply turn the seat to face you at the rear door then swivel it back when baby is in. I like the idea of saving my back a little pain!!
Has anyone got this one - or heard any pro's or cons about it??
The other one we have looked twice at is the Safe - n - Sound Maxi Rider - $300.
Appealing becuase it takes bubs up to 26kg - which I'm told is about 7 years of age?? But can not be used at birth - meaning the need to hire capsules for the first 6 months or so.
Is the fact that this one can be used for longer a cost saving in the long run - or are the older child booster seats that you buy when toddler gets bigger not such a big cost anyway? Factoring in the hire cost of 2 capsules for 6 months may turn out to be more expensive in total??
Then there is this new AHR side impact technology which safe & sound claim makes these 2 new models of theirs the safest on the Austalian market. (of course much more expensvie at around $480 to $550. Can be used from birth to 18kgs.
What brands and models have others used?
Did you go with the capsule for 6 months first? If so why?
Obviously safety is the most important thing here and my back comfort comes second.
I'll be glad to get this one out of the way - and then prehaps the rest of the choices in all of bubs gear is more personal prefference based.
The pram and the car seats are the hardest decisions to make aren't they??!!
Cheers
LIZ
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Full Version: comparing baby car seats
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HI Liz
My sister has one of the turn at tots for her DD. They are a fantastic seat & she highly recommends them, however if you need two of them, make sure they fit (if you have a small car) because they take up a fair bit of room when they are turned outward.
Myself, I will be using capsules for the first 6 or so months, mainly due to the uncertainty of triplets. We are avoiding spending alot of money on large items (where we can) untill they actaully arrive. The capsules we are hiring are available from Kidsafe & the cost is only $100 for the hire of 3 capsules & we can have them as long as we need them......After this we will be getting the safe n sound safeguard or the safe n sound compaq, as these are the only capsules that will fit in our car....We drive a new model camry
Cheers, Lilymurray
ME 28
DH 28
TTC #1 12/03
Gonal F -BFN 2/12/04
Gonal F -BFP Triplets due 11/10/05
<a href="http://www.snugglepie.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.snugglepie.com/cb/14634.png"></a>
My sister has one of the turn at tots for her DD. They are a fantastic seat & she highly recommends them, however if you need two of them, make sure they fit (if you have a small car) because they take up a fair bit of room when they are turned outward.
Myself, I will be using capsules for the first 6 or so months, mainly due to the uncertainty of triplets. We are avoiding spending alot of money on large items (where we can) untill they actaully arrive. The capsules we are hiring are available from Kidsafe & the cost is only $100 for the hire of 3 capsules & we can have them as long as we need them......After this we will be getting the safe n sound safeguard or the safe n sound compaq, as these are the only capsules that will fit in our car....We drive a new model camry
Cheers, Lilymurray
ME 28
DH 28
TTC #1 12/03
Gonal F -BFN 2/12/04
Gonal F -BFP Triplets due 11/10/05
<a href="http://www.snugglepie.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.snugglepie.com/cb/14634.png"></a>
Hi Liz. Congrats on your long-awaited pregnancy, and welcome to EB!!
We used capsules (one borrowed and one hired) until our girls reached 8kg (at 8 months and 10 months respectively), and then moved them into forward-facing carseats. My main motivation was that the single purpose restraints are considered safer than the convertibles (well, this was the case 2 1/2 years ago anyway).
I loved the capsules, as it was so much easier to transport the babies to and from the car, particularly if they were asleep. I also liked being able to get them strapped into the capsules inside, and then I'd carry them out to the car, one in each hand! It was also really handy for going to things such as medical appointments or MCHN checkups, where it was a lot easier to take them in in the capsules than to set up the twin pram, get both babies out of the car and into the pram, and then get the pram inside (sometimes not knowing if it was going to fit!).
One downside with capsules is that some babies grow too long for them before they've reached the required weight to go into a forward-facing restraint. I never had this problem, despite the fact that Emma was 90th percentile for height and only the 30th for weight. However, there a plently of mums on EB who say their babies outgrew the capsules before they got to 8kg. If this happens, you can always hire convertibles for a month or two - it was the same cost as the capsules from the place I hired from.
**edited to say that I think the recommended minimum weight for forward-facing is now 9kg**
I'd suggest finding out the cost of hiring in your area (as this appears to vary enormously), and compare with new ones. It's always worth keeping an eye out for sales too. I managed to pick our 2 carseats up at K-mart for only $129 each during one of their sales, which was a huge saving.
Best of luck with your pregnancy and your carseat decisions. I agree that carseats and prams are by far the hardest decisions to make!
Jo
Mum to twin girls
Hannah and Emma (8/4/03)
This message was edited by jaydee on Saturday, 18 June 2005 @ 3:50 PM
We used capsules (one borrowed and one hired) until our girls reached 8kg (at 8 months and 10 months respectively), and then moved them into forward-facing carseats. My main motivation was that the single purpose restraints are considered safer than the convertibles (well, this was the case 2 1/2 years ago anyway).
I loved the capsules, as it was so much easier to transport the babies to and from the car, particularly if they were asleep. I also liked being able to get them strapped into the capsules inside, and then I'd carry them out to the car, one in each hand! It was also really handy for going to things such as medical appointments or MCHN checkups, where it was a lot easier to take them in in the capsules than to set up the twin pram, get both babies out of the car and into the pram, and then get the pram inside (sometimes not knowing if it was going to fit!).
One downside with capsules is that some babies grow too long for them before they've reached the required weight to go into a forward-facing restraint. I never had this problem, despite the fact that Emma was 90th percentile for height and only the 30th for weight. However, there a plently of mums on EB who say their babies outgrew the capsules before they got to 8kg. If this happens, you can always hire convertibles for a month or two - it was the same cost as the capsules from the place I hired from.
**edited to say that I think the recommended minimum weight for forward-facing is now 9kg**
I'd suggest finding out the cost of hiring in your area (as this appears to vary enormously), and compare with new ones. It's always worth keeping an eye out for sales too. I managed to pick our 2 carseats up at K-mart for only $129 each during one of their sales, which was a huge saving.
Best of luck with your pregnancy and your carseat decisions. I agree that carseats and prams are by far the hardest decisions to make!
Jo
Mum to twin girls
Hannah and Emma (8/4/03)
This message was edited by jaydee on Saturday, 18 June 2005 @ 3:50 PM
Hi Liz
We used capsules until the girls grew out of them (can't remember when that was). I'm with Jo, I found them much easier to manage. I would strap them in in the house, sling the baby bag on the back (backpack style) and carry them both out together. It also reduced the need for the pram when going to friend's houses, dr's appts etc. You never know whether the pram is going to fit through doorways etc. It also means not having to wake them up if they've fallen asleep in the car. We were lucky and found a baby hire store going out of business and bought them for $60 each. Now we loan them out to friends until we've decided whether or not we'll be needing them again!!
Same as Jo, we had heard that the forward facing only seats were safer than the convertibles, so we bought them when needed. Ours are Safe-n-Sound and should last them until 4yo. Shop around, and make sure you join your local MBA because most baby stores will give you a discount with your MBA card. I always ask for a 'multiple' discount, even when I don't have the card on me. I ask everywhere too, not just baby shops! Cheeky, but it normally works!
Nicolie
DDs Paige & Hannah (23/09/03)
We used capsules until the girls grew out of them (can't remember when that was). I'm with Jo, I found them much easier to manage. I would strap them in in the house, sling the baby bag on the back (backpack style) and carry them both out together. It also reduced the need for the pram when going to friend's houses, dr's appts etc. You never know whether the pram is going to fit through doorways etc. It also means not having to wake them up if they've fallen asleep in the car. We were lucky and found a baby hire store going out of business and bought them for $60 each. Now we loan them out to friends until we've decided whether or not we'll be needing them again!!
Same as Jo, we had heard that the forward facing only seats were safer than the convertibles, so we bought them when needed. Ours are Safe-n-Sound and should last them until 4yo. Shop around, and make sure you join your local MBA because most baby stores will give you a discount with your MBA card. I always ask for a 'multiple' discount, even when I don't have the card on me. I ask everywhere too, not just baby shops! Cheeky, but it normally works!
Nicolie
DDs Paige & Hannah (23/09/03)
Hi there - Once we knew we were having twins this is one of the first things we got sorted - safety first says DH!! We looked at so many and listened to the advice from other parents...Our final decision was with the Safe and Sound Merridian (Non) retractable seat.
It had all the functions we wanted, the straps dont get twisted as with the retractor, the weight limits will suit our chilren to 4 years, it came in grey to suit the interior of our statesman and they lady sold them to us for $440 each with the MBA discount...So she should have given us a discount over $1000.00 in prams 2 cots @ $550 each! It does help to get everything from one place and save $$.
Once we worked them out, got them fitted by an approved safet seat fitter and put the babies in we were and are extremely happy with the quality and functions of them....
this was definatly one item we didnt want to compromise on....I asked the approved fitter about the Turn-a-tot and unfortunalty she just said - in an accident would you want it to turn under pressure? Hmmm, not many placed sold them wither and sometimes I think that is a sign. Just my opinion though!
It had all the functions we wanted, the straps dont get twisted as with the retractor, the weight limits will suit our chilren to 4 years, it came in grey to suit the interior of our statesman and they lady sold them to us for $440 each with the MBA discount...So she should have given us a discount over $1000.00 in prams 2 cots @ $550 each! It does help to get everything from one place and save $$.
Once we worked them out, got them fitted by an approved safet seat fitter and put the babies in we were and are extremely happy with the quality and functions of them....
this was definatly one item we didnt want to compromise on....I asked the approved fitter about the Turn-a-tot and unfortunalty she just said - in an accident would you want it to turn under pressure? Hmmm, not many placed sold them wither and sometimes I think that is a sign. Just my opinion though!
Haylie & Phil,Ebony(15),Hayden Phillip & Brooklen Lily 21st March 05
Not sure that I can help all that much....we hired capsules from our local amba for the first couple of months...I had visions of taking them out of the car in their capsules fast asleep and quickly nipping into the shops with one capsule in each hand (didnt happen.....boys grew really quickly and they were WAY too heavy)
Also re cars seats..we had a 8-18kg safensound cosi....but the boys had to move into booster seats at 2 years old because they were so big (tall and heavy).....something to think about anyway.
Cheers
Caz Joel and Cam at 2 1/2years old-"we turn 3yrs in June"
Also re cars seats..we had a 8-18kg safensound cosi....but the boys had to move into booster seats at 2 years old because they were so big (tall and heavy).....something to think about anyway.
Cheers
Caz Joel and Cam at 2 1/2years old-"we turn 3yrs in June"
[color=Teal]We have 2 turn-a-tots and we love them!! They definitely saved my back, which can only be a good thing!! The boys have loved them, and are very comfy in them.
We did hire capsules for when the boys were first born. We found them to be fabulous too, and didn't cost much to hire.
Our boys will grow out of their turn-a-tots in the next year, but we've definitely gotten our money's worth out of them...... and so has my back!! ;p
Vanessa
We did hire capsules for when the boys were first born. We found them to be fabulous too, and didn't cost much to hire.
Our boys will grow out of their turn-a-tots in the next year, but we've definitely gotten our money's worth out of them...... and so has my back!! ;p
Vanessa
hi,
We used the safe and sound compaq from birth as we had a fairly small car and had to fit my son in the middle.
I found it easier to put them in a pram as I had to get them in and out of the car several times a day at school and after school activities and often was on my own so a pram was heaps easier for me.(everyone is different though)
I had to put my boys in a booster seat before they turned two as they are very tall and were too tall for most of the carseats.Even though they say up to age 4 it really depends on the height of the children.We did look at the maxi rider but realised booster and harness would last a lot longer.
Good luck in your hunt for baby items but I too agree that carseats are one of the most important items to get and of course a great pram.
Kristy
We used the safe and sound compaq from birth as we had a fairly small car and had to fit my son in the middle.
I found it easier to put them in a pram as I had to get them in and out of the car several times a day at school and after school activities and often was on my own so a pram was heaps easier for me.(everyone is different though)
I had to put my boys in a booster seat before they turned two as they are very tall and were too tall for most of the carseats.Even though they say up to age 4 it really depends on the height of the children.We did look at the maxi rider but realised booster and harness would last a lot longer.
Good luck in your hunt for baby items but I too agree that carseats are one of the most important items to get and of course a great pram.
Kristy
Hi Liz
I'm with Haylie - the Safe n Sound Meridien are very good, although a little on the expensive side. They have a premature baby setting which I thought would be good if the babies were born early (needless to say I had them at 37+1 weeks!).
I wasn't keen on carrying 2 capsules because my sister had one with her singleton and it lasted only 15 weeks before he got too heavy for her.
I decided I'd have to get used to unfolding a double pram & putting 2 babies inside eventually, so I might as well start get good at working out which doors the pram fit would into while they were newborns!!
I also find now that my girls are really good at falling asleep in the pram (they have been used to doing this since day one), whereas people in my mother's group who used capsules find that their babies can't fall asleep in a pram. Not sure if this is true for everyone though.
Lisa
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/pic/050308/c1ff299.jpg" alt="Lilypie Baby Pic" border="0" /><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby1/060301/2/21/1/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>
I'm with Haylie - the Safe n Sound Meridien are very good, although a little on the expensive side. They have a premature baby setting which I thought would be good if the babies were born early (needless to say I had them at 37+1 weeks!).
I wasn't keen on carrying 2 capsules because my sister had one with her singleton and it lasted only 15 weeks before he got too heavy for her.
I decided I'd have to get used to unfolding a double pram & putting 2 babies inside eventually, so I might as well start get good at working out which doors the pram fit would into while they were newborns!!
I also find now that my girls are really good at falling asleep in the pram (they have been used to doing this since day one), whereas people in my mother's group who used capsules find that their babies can't fall asleep in a pram. Not sure if this is true for everyone though.
Lisa
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/pic/050308/c1ff299.jpg" alt="Lilypie Baby Pic" border="0" /><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby1/060301/2/21/1/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>
We went to the baby shops on the weekend and they kept reminding us how big the Turn a Tot is and how you can only use it rear-facing. We decided not to.
We are planning on getting capsules for the first months (pooey that nowhere here hires them!) and then have basically decided on the Safe N Sound Royale. We have a wagon though so not too much of an issue with size for us.
We are planning on getting capsules for the first months (pooey that nowhere here hires them!) and then have basically decided on the Safe N Sound Royale. We have a wagon though so not too much of an issue with size for us.
Hi all
I have also purchased the Safe & Sound Meridian (x2), though I opted for the 'retractor'. Haylie, I am interested to know about the potential problem of straps getting twisted?? Is this common?
I also looked at the option of capsules to start with, but like you Lisa, thought I may as well get used to putting them pram up and down from the word go :-) (particularly as though I took so long to decide which one to get :-))
Lindy
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/days/050802/1/1/1/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>
I have also purchased the Safe & Sound Meridian (x2), though I opted for the 'retractor'. Haylie, I am interested to know about the potential problem of straps getting twisted?? Is this common?
I also looked at the option of capsules to start with, but like you Lisa, thought I may as well get used to putting them pram up and down from the word go :-) (particularly as though I took so long to decide which one to get :-))
Lindy
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/days/050802/1/1/1/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>
Hi Liz
I had been told before our two bubs arrived that if they were premmie that they would have to go into capsules.
As it turned out, they were 4 weeks premmie and we hired the two capsules and like most other mums here have said they were just so handy and so much more manageable.
We hired them for 6 months and then went to the safe & sound car seats which are from 0-4 years.
We have just purchased 2 booster seats as we have number 3 arriving in November. Again, though I am going to hire a capsule just for the ease and safety factor of it.
Good luck with your decision making and the arrival of your two new bubs.
Michelle
Regards
Michelle
DH - Steven
DD - Mikaela (2 yrs)
DS - Oscar (2 yrs)
I had been told before our two bubs arrived that if they were premmie that they would have to go into capsules.
As it turned out, they were 4 weeks premmie and we hired the two capsules and like most other mums here have said they were just so handy and so much more manageable.
We hired them for 6 months and then went to the safe & sound car seats which are from 0-4 years.
We have just purchased 2 booster seats as we have number 3 arriving in November. Again, though I am going to hire a capsule just for the ease and safety factor of it.
Good luck with your decision making and the arrival of your two new bubs.
Michelle
Regards
Michelle
DH - Steven
DD - Mikaela (2 yrs)
DS - Oscar (2 yrs)
Hi Lindy - not sure if anyone else has had this problem but the 2 baby stores here in Kalgoorlie dont stock them as too many were returned due to the tension of the straps being too loose at that retracteable stage and twisting??? The lady that owns the store showed me one and it was a mess - but not too sure if this is common or not??? I just opted to go with the manual retractor - and they are great...
Sorry possibly didnt help much *LOL*
Sorry possibly didnt help much *LOL*
Haylie & Phil,Ebony(15),Hayden Phillip & Brooklen Lily 21st March 05
Hi,
I'm probably replying a little late, but I have had a 'turn a tot' car seat for a couple of years. We think it is great, but they do take up a lot of space. My son is a big two year old, but he will get a lot more wear out of it yet. I thought the turning mechanism would be great too, but i honestly didn't use it. I must say though, with new borns it is much easier to have a capsule so you're not waking them to get them out of the car (and you can keep them warm). I'm having twins now and think with this car seat and two capsules in the back (even though we have a pajero) we might be pushing for space a bit.
good luck
Nel
I'm probably replying a little late, but I have had a 'turn a tot' car seat for a couple of years. We think it is great, but they do take up a lot of space. My son is a big two year old, but he will get a lot more wear out of it yet. I thought the turning mechanism would be great too, but i honestly didn't use it. I must say though, with new borns it is much easier to have a capsule so you're not waking them to get them out of the car (and you can keep them warm). I'm having twins now and think with this car seat and two capsules in the back (even though we have a pajero) we might be pushing for space a bit.
good luck
Nel
Gotta add my bit ladies. We had to buy a second one when I was preg witht he boys and bought a Mother Choice from birth to 4yrs. It was described as a conpact design to fit small cars. Well knowing that we would hve 2 seats and a booster in the back we thought that sounded good.
Boy was I wrong. My boys are tall (91cm @ 18mths) but still not 2 yet and there head is starting to go over the top of the back of the seat. Luckily we have H harnesses for them to go into but it looks like it will be sooner rather than later. Also they can reach the seatbelt that holds it in from where it comes out near the shoulder IYKWIM and I have caught Noah putting it around his neck while going down the freeway. Also they don't have the cover over the adjusting strap between their legs so they can reach forward grab the strap and the pressure they are putting on the shoulder straps makes them loosen, out comes their arms and XAnder reached down and undid the seatbelt holding the seat in!!! Luckily we were in a car park.
Just be careful of compact designs!
Letitia 34
Dan 34
Georgia 6
Hamish 4
Xander 21mths
Noah 21mths
(plus angels Jesse, Dale and Matilda)
Boy was I wrong. My boys are tall (91cm @ 18mths) but still not 2 yet and there head is starting to go over the top of the back of the seat. Luckily we have H harnesses for them to go into but it looks like it will be sooner rather than later. Also they can reach the seatbelt that holds it in from where it comes out near the shoulder IYKWIM and I have caught Noah putting it around his neck while going down the freeway. Also they don't have the cover over the adjusting strap between their legs so they can reach forward grab the strap and the pressure they are putting on the shoulder straps makes them loosen, out comes their arms and XAnder reached down and undid the seatbelt holding the seat in!!! Luckily we were in a car park.
Just be careful of compact designs!
Letitia 34
Dan 34
Georgia 6
Hamish 4
Xander 21mths
Noah 21mths
(plus angels Jesse, Dale and Matilda)
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