Nice And Comfy

Munchie is growing fast and over recent weeks has become increasingly uncomfortable in her rear facing car seat, she’s no longer the 7lb 8oz new born baby we brought home in the Besafe iZi Go but a very active and wriggly 8 month old. The Besafe has severed us well over the last 8 months, but with the introduction of Bob & Betty things started to get a little cramped and with the extra inches the BnB add to Munchie’s height it was time to look for a new car seat.

As Munchie is under 9kg and with the additional safety features a rear facing car seat brings a front facing seat for me, wasn’t really an option. So after lots of research and chatting to a few Mums whose babies also have Talipes, I’d narrowed it down to either the Britax First Class Plus or the Maxi Cosi Opal, but this of course was all subject to how well Bob & Betty fitted and how comfortable Munchie was.  So with a list of requirements as long as my arm we set off to Kiddicare in Peterborough to do some shopping.   

When we arrived at the car seat centre we were greeted by a very friendly sales guy called Franco, after listening to my very long wish list and seeing Munchie in her BnB he asked what type of car we had and whether it had long or recessed seat belt buckles, as if long then nether seat would be suitable. So after a trip out to the car park to check the car (which was fine) he then demonstrated both the Maxi Cosi and Britax to us. I had the poor guy switching both seats from front to rear facing and back again, changing the strap heights, showing me how the covers came off, putting them back on again, putting Munchie in, taking her out, measuring the gap between her bar and the back of the car seat, asking which car seat they sold more of and why, was he fully trained by both companies, my questions and requests just kept coming. But Franco took them all on his stride; we even went out to the car to try both seats in there.  If I’m honest, you could tell which one suited Munchie from the start, but I had to be sure as hopefully this car seat is going to last us until she’s 3, 3 and half and will see her through the remainder of her time with Bob & Betty. 

Trying out the Britax for size

After one more go of fitting the seats ourselves and a few more questions we decided to go for the Britax First Class Plus. It’s slightly wider and a little longer than the Opal which means Bob & Betty fit well, this in turn means Munchie’s legs aren’t squashed up against the back seat of the car so her overall seating position is a lot more comfortable, the shape of the seat also holds the bar level which means her boots don’t dig into her ankles.  It’s easy to fit and feels extremely secure, it’s a lot higher than her original car seat which also means she can look out the window (she loves a good nose). 

Ready for the journey home

 

It is a little tricky to get her in and out of but I think this will come with practise, tightening and realising the harness is a little awkward as the button is quite far back and the bar does get in the way but again with a little practise I don’t think this will be an issue.  Overall we are very pleased with our new car seat and as the saying goes the proof is in the pudding – Munchie slept all the way home which for her, is unheard of!