Need info/advice on UK car seats

[Unregistered]

We are heading over to England to visit my in-laws in May and are finally investing in car seats to keep there (last time we went, 2 years ago, we rented some). However, their models are different over there and it's proving to be harder to find the best fit for our needs. Does anyone have any insight (or know of a good English website with good insight)?

Right now, have it narrowed down to 2 car seats for each of my boys:

2.5 year old (will be 3 in July, and is 80-90th for height/weight):
*Britax Evolva 1-2-3
*Graco Nautilus (not sure if exactly same as US version)

5 year old (turning 5 that month, and is 80th for height and 50th for weight, so tall/thin):
*Britax Adventure
*Graco Junior Maxi

Any thoughts on any of these seats?

TIA...

 

[wendytthomas]

Your 2.5 year old needs a seat for the plane, so I'd just bring your seat and use it on board. Then you're also not fighting with an unknown seat to install.

For your five year old, if they're above 40 pounds (the FAA's minimum recommendation for seatbelt use alone) you could just have your family pick up a booster seat to keep there.

What seats do you have?

Wendy

 

[xursusmaritimusx]

i agree with wendy. bring the seat you use at home for your 2.5 year old and use it on the plane and in the UK.

then have your family purchase a booster for your soon to be 5 year old.
the ones you are considering are known as the britax parkway and the graco turbo booster here in the states. keep in mind that the weight limits are different in the UK. generally 30-80lbs

how often will you be visiting the UK ??

the turbo/junior maxi tends to fit younger booster riders well.
if you go with this choice, be sure to have your family read the manual and make sure the arms have the screws installed.

and after more thinking you could always purchase a turbo booster state side, booster train your oldest before you leave for your trip, and pack it in your luggage. High back portion goes in your luggage and you can bring the low back portion on the plane with you to stow in the over head (not to be used on the flight as its not allowed)

 

[gigi]

I believe their Nautilus only harnesses to 18 kg, around 40 lbs. I would bring an Evenflo secure kid and leave it there to use. It is very easy/ light to travel with and should install well with a locking clip. Have them check their car to see if they have top tethers, which would make the harness seat safER, but personally I haven't been particularly upset about them not being available in our family's UK vehicles. I have traveled to uk with a Maestro (similar to the Secure Kid) many times and found it great to travel with.

 

[ketchupqueen]

There are a lot of seats you can get to rear-face to 25 kg for your 2.5 year old, if the airline you are on will not allow a child seat (I agree to use one on the plane if you are allowed, but I know the British airlines are not good about that.)

The Junior Maxi is basically the TurboBooster, from what I've seen, which tends to fit almost all children very well. I know the Recaro Monza is also frequently recommended. The Monza Seatfix is the same but with ISOFIX anchors built in so you don't have to buckle every time the child gets out of the car (if the car has ISOFIX anchorages.)

 

[Byron]

Hi,

I have bben doing LOTS or research in to car seats and strollers on British airlines.

With car seats, British cariers will allow the use forward facing only from 6 months to 3 years. Below 6 months it is lap only.

Over 3 years they suggeests a CARES style harness.

 

[gigi]

If you fly american carriers on transatlantic flights, you can use any seat that is FAA certified.

 

[BritMum-in-US]

Hi,

I have bben doing LOTS or research in to car seats and strollers on British airlines.

With car seats, British cariers will allow the use forward facing only from 6 months to 3 years. Below 6 months it is lap only.

Over 3 years they suggeests a CARES style harness.

Except for Virgin Atlantic. They forbid any car seats on board at all, other than their own "child seat".