Chosing an infant car seat

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#1714899 3-Feb-2017 11:41

Why do child car seats have cup holders? Who's crazy enough to give their child a cup in the back seat of the car? Maybe when they're about ten!

blackjack17

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#1714905 3-Feb-2017 11:53

timmmay:

Why do child car seats have cup holders? Who's crazy enough to give their child a cup in the back seat of the car? Maybe when they're about ten!

My daughter drinks from a water bottle, she knows how to pull the sports tip out and put it back in when not drinking.

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mrdrifter

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#1714910 3-Feb-2017 12:06

As with many other, I would recommend the Diono Radian RXT. https://www.babyonthemove.co.nz/exclusive/diono-radian-rxt. Many many hours of research went into our selection.

Both my girls moved from a capsule into these and remained rear facing until 3 - 3 1/2 years old. Both of them are much taller than average and this didn't cause any issues. Both remain in them still with the oldest being the tallest in her year 1 & 2 class, and only just now are we looking at moving from the harness to the seat belt.

An advantage the Radian, is being narrower, it is possible to fit a 3rd seat in, or seat an adult between them if needed. They support both ISOFIX and seat belt installation (auto locking seat belts or locking clips)

We are onto number 7 & 8 now, thanks to being crashed into 3 times in the last year (thanks Wellington drivers in the rain!). AA replaced them both no questions asked after each accident. Baby on the move were extremely helpful in ensuring they were replaced overnight.

Oh and cup holders are great especially on longer trips, drink bottle in one and travel supplies (pencils etc...) in the other.

Inphinity

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#1714934 3-Feb-2017 12:35

timmmay:

Why do child car seats have cup holders? Who's crazy enough to give their child a cup in the back seat of the car? Maybe when they're about ten!

You can get cups with lids / straws / sippers etc. It doesn't have to be a mug of coffee :P

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#1714942 3-Feb-2017 13:06

This?

nakedmolerat

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#1715031 3-Feb-2017 16:00

@ZollyMonsta:

We're expecting our first also in June (wow, us Geekzoner's are breeding at the same time)

So watching this thread with interest. We're hiring a capsule for $50 from Baby Factory since it has such a short lifespan of use. But same as you, still looking and deciding on a car seat.

Cheers,
Grant

Yeap - this is the most sensible approach. When the baby reach 6 months, get one from the warehouse that can do rear and front facing. Don't waste your money. All car seats sold in NZ met the standard.

Make sure the capsule have BASE. You will regret it badly if you get the one without the base (too fiddly).

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#1715041 3-Feb-2017 16:21

nakedmolerat:

Don't waste your money. All car seats sold in NZ met the standard.

I find it amazing how many people are happy with the bare minimum safety level for their children's lives.

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timmmay

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#1715051 3-Feb-2017 16:33

Inphinity:

nakedmolerat:

Don't waste your money. All car seats sold in NZ met the standard.

I find it amazing how many people are happy with the bare minimum safety level for their children's lives.

That seems a very harsh and a really rude and disrespectful thing to say. Any car seat that meets the NZ standard is safe, and New Zealand generally has standards that are reasonably tight. There may be products that are better than standards, that might do a better job, but I don't think it's fair to imply people who spend less care less for their children.

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#1715127 3-Feb-2017 19:47

timmmay:

That seems a very harsh and a really rude and disrespectful thing to say. Any car seat that meets the NZ standard is safe, and New Zealand generally has standards that are reasonably tight. There may be products that are better than standards, that might do a better job, but I don't think it's fair to imply people who spend less care less for their children.

I apologise if my post came of as attacking the person I quoted, that was not the intent. I do, however, find it so disheartening that many people simply choose the cheapest option when it comes to safety items, but in many cases are happy to spend up big on non-safety items for the sake of image. It's not dissimilar to the discussion about cheap junky tyres, which can be substantively proven to reduce safety by way of lower grip limits and increased braking distances. I understand there are people in a position where it's a challenge to afford even the basic option, but when you see people go with the cheapest, worst-performing option for say a child restraint, but spend $1400 on a pushchair, it really defies belief in my opinion. There is a Child Restraint Evaluation Program run in Aus, which is effectively ANCAP testing for child restraints. The variation of outcomes for children in different seats is substantial, despite all the seats meeting AU/NZ standards. There are standards-compliant seats that earn 1 star out of 5 for protection. At the end of the day though, a poor restraint properly used is better than an improperly used or no restraint. I am not implying spending less is caring less, because not everyone is able to spend more.

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#1775749 4-May-2017 17:16

I see Baby on the Move Wellington are having a sale starting tomorrow, the Diono Rainier and Radian RXT are down to $519 incl free angle adjuster plus "*Purchase any DIONO Car Seat on Special and go into the Draw to win the value back with "In-Store Vouchers""

The cheapest I've found is $498 from winkalotts incl free shipping so there's a couple of options

I'm not sure whether to buy now or wait as we're not due until June so wont be using it till it's required

dickytim

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#1775750 4-May-2017 17:22

I ended up getting our chair from Farmers 50% off.

If it is a very good price go ahead, we have had ours for a few months and our little girl is 6 weeks on Sat!

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#1775764 4-May-2017 17:34

What seat did you end up getting?

Congrats :) How's she going?

dickytim

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#1775814 4-May-2017 18:49

Thanks.

We got this

http://www.farmers.co.nz/children/nursery-baby-accessories/car-seats-travelling/infa-secure-grandeur-metric-car-seat-grey-6125553;pgid=53hIKVishqdSRpKkhPoWxZET0000eLLsQx_d;sid=X5JqaZvIIRQ-aMLCkd3nfItkWofQPQOH_fY2TmTR

We haven't used it yet will use it when she out grows the capsule.

mdf

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#1775820 4-May-2017 18:53

Dunno how I missed this thread earlier. Our kids are 6 and 8 now but I did *extensive* research at each stage along the way.

I think @infinity mentioned it, but without the link. The Child Restraint Evaluation Program (CREP, used to be crep.com.au but now https://www.childcarseats.com.au/) should be consulted prior to purchase. We've mostly had Britax / Safe n Sound car seats (same manufacturer), but since there are always new models coming out, you should check prior to purchase. Not every seat is available in New Zealand, but most are. CREP is an independent assessment and definitely shows difference in safety and performance between car seats, even if they all meet the prescribed standards. But its also not a simple more $ = more safety. So do your research before you buy.

Take your care to the store and see if it fits (and how easy it is to fit). All else being equal, there is a huge difference between a car seat that is easy to fit and one that takes 20 minutes and half the skin on your knuckles. In the rain. And dark.

For people with growing families, consider investing in a Multimac (they ship to NZ, and occasionally pop up on Peter Reader's favourite second hand website). Super, super expensive but cheaper than buying a new car if you end up needing to fit 3 or 4 kids across the back seat. It will also be pretty much the only car seat you need, compared spending somewhere between $200 and $500 on each new seat (although if you get your timing right siblings can inherit). But it makes most sense if you invest in it from the outset.

Congratulations to everyone recently/about to be blessed with a child. Nothing else you ever do will be as equally wonderful and exasperating in equal measure.

mdf

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#1775823 4-May-2017 18:59

And FWIW, our cup holders have been used for:

cups
sippers
chip bowls
wipes
collecting hair ties
turning grapes into raisins (that one wasn't by design)
car seats for favourite dolls
car seats for stuffed bears
car seats for other random treasured possessions that absolutely must be taken on this outing or the world will end

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