Is baby sitting comfortably?

We asked a panel of mums and dads to give their views on four of the best car seats around:

• The comfiest – The Mamas & Papas Primo Viaggio is £110 and weighs 3.6kg. This comes with a special base unit that the seat fits on top of, to stop it moving in an accident. ‘I found the Surefix base reassuring and, once fitted, you can leave it in the car and just lift the seat in and out. The seat is fairly compact with lots of lovely padding,’ says Fiona, mum to Lucy, six months. Visit www.mamasandpapas.co.uk for details.
• Popular choice – The Britax Rock-a-Tot Deluxe costs £69.99 and weighs 3.1kg. ‘This seat has a snug head hugger and a detachable canopy to protect your baby from the sun, wind and rain, when lifting her in and out of the car. Only criticism is the carry handle, which is difficult to put down using one hand,’ Jenny, mum to Katie, nine months. Visit Mothercare for details.
• Health professionals favourite – The Matrix by Jané, because it can lie flat in the car like a carrycot and your baby isn’t squashed into a seat. Midwives and health visitors love it. It costs £199.99, weighs 3kg and is suitable up to nine months. ‘An innovative idea. The seat can be used either upright or lying down in the car, providing the instructions are followed properly. I bought a travel system and wasn’t happy leaving William in the car seat for long periods, as I knew it wasn’t good for his developing spine, so I am happier using this,’ says Lisa, mum to William, five weeks. Visit Mothercare for details.

A lot of parents don’t know how to fit their car seat properly. If you fall into this category, Mothercare, Babies R Us, John Lewis and some independent nursery stores have specially trained staff, who can show you how to install your car seat. And if you’re a member of the AA (0990 500600) or RAC (0990 313131) they both have technical advisors available to answer queries on fitting a car seat correctly or finding the right seat for your car.

Check out the discussions taking place right now on the Car Seats & Prams messageboard

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