convertibles with new borns

I used a convertable. We were on a limited budget so got a convertable also thinking that she would only be in it for about 3mths turns out she could be in it for longer but am happy with my decision. Found it easy, she sits in the middle of the car and have only just turned her at almost 7mths and that was because she was turning round and straining her neck trying to see us. It just takes getting used to navigating round the tether strap. If your lucky enough to have isofix then no probs there anyway.

Also am happy we got a convertable. I feel that people always want to carry their baby in the capsule and its hard enough carrying a 6kg baby nevermind them being in a capsule as well for a long period of time.

We bought the Safe and sound meridian for Samantha when she was born. I don't like the way babies lie in capsules and and because we live so far from anywhere she would have had to be in it for long periods. They recommend that babies don't stay in them for any longer than an hour or so at a time so it would have made for very long trips having to stop and take breaks every hour!
We love the convertible car seat. She has now upgraded to a Recaro so her brother can have the seat and again it is proving it's worth. It is a lovely seat and they have both seemed very comfortable in it. I know lots of people will tell you that it is easier having the capsule, but honestly I personally didn't find it any hassle at all having to take either baby out of the car seat and put them in prams or shopping trolleys etc. Sam was a winter baby and that didn't cause me any extra problems either.
It certainly saved us money in the long run, and not buying the capsule meant we could use the extra money and buy the best/safest car seat on the market.

Edited by Mum2Sam

I agree with everything mum2sam said. I'm very happy with our convertible.

We went for a convertable too, for much the same reasons as Mum2Sam mentioned and haven't regretted it for a second.

I will admit it was tricky to navigate him over the tether strap the first couple of times, but we're pretty good at it now and I haven't had any problems with him waking when transferring in and out

I think the capsule is more rounded on the back??

I have Cooper still rear facing in his car seat. He's been in it since birth & I've got a dragon mirror so I can see him & vice versa. The teether straps can be a pain but a friends one looked like it had a one that you could release & tighten. Mine came with a new born insert & he was just as stable in that. They also get used to being shifted asleep. I had kindy & school drop offs from when he was a week old.

When I read the title of this thread I thought it was to do with convertible cars

I just went to a Car Seat info course last night with a Safe2Go technician and 2 ladies from BOTM.
Although it was mentioned that babies can go straight into convertible seats, NOT ALL babies can. This is something that I had never taken into account. Some newborns just aren't big enough to go into convertibles, be it due to height or weight or even both. - So in light of that info I would suggest keeping in mind that you may have to hire a capsule if you child doesn't fit into the convertible very well.

ETA many of my friends have hired capsules from Plunket, for around $60 for 6mths, so quite a good deal!



Edited by Mamma2N

first wrote: That is true mamma2n but it is usually a prem baby or a very small baby that doesn't fit. We love our convertible and wouldn't change it for anything.

Well, that is what I thought, but we were told that many times when they have done car seat checks they have found newborns (implying not those who are only prem or very small, as some babies are longer in the body, some in the legs etc) who weren't snug enough in their convertibles. They showed us on the capsules (about 3 diff. types) and on the convertibles (another 3) the difference in distance of the lowest shoulder strap slots between the two IYGWIM. There is actually quite a big difference between many of the seats.

What I suppose I'm saying is not all convertibles will accommodate all newborns. It is something to keep in mind - if you do go straight for a convertible and your babe doesn't seem snug enough in it as a newborn, look at hiring a capsule.

And if anyone is in CHCH, I can recommend the car seat course run by parent centre in Shirley - run every two months. Lots of info and will install your seat for you if need be

first wrote: I stand corrected then Mamma2n. Thanks for that info. I guess you always have to check no matter what carseat you have that your baby/child is fitted safely.

Oh gawd first, I've just read my reply - was done in a hurry, sounds a little ''Ah well noooooooo actually''.. Sorry, hope it didn't sound like that to you

mamma2n i wasn't offended at all.

Melnel I think it does come down to the padding a bit and also how layed back you can get them. I have two convertable seats and one is really upright even in a rearward facing direction. The other is lovely and padded and holds baby nicely though I haven't seen a newborn in it just the 4month old that I look after.