Britax DUALFIX Review

We have been reviewing the DUALFIX car seat from Britax for a good month or more now and I'm really excited to share my experience with you all.

Having Hypermobility Syndrome is hard enough at the best of times but dealing with the extra relaxin hormone from pregnancy, I really suffered after Bee was born in November.

The biggest problem I had was taking the baby car seat carrier I had in and out of Rockets pre-school as not only was it heavy, it also involved me awkwardly trying to navigate the think corridors of pegs, coats and other people trying to pass - as well as an energetic 3 year old! I was in alot of pain and also pulling my shoulder out of its joint regularly. This made me not even want to venture out and left me with constant flare ups on top of having to deal with a newborn.

When Britax sent me the DUALFIX as part of the Mumbassador scheme I was desperately excited to try it! Its a fabulous design of smooth curves - my immediate thought was how it looked like something out of Men In Black!

Its an extremely heavy seat as it needs to weigh a lot for the swivel action. I had to wait til my husband got home so he could install it, but that was relatively easy as it pops straight into the ISOfix slots in the car. (The ONLY thing I am sad about is that it can't go in the front as it needs the ISOfix, but that isn't the seats fault!)

Having  seat that you can place baby in facing the door is simply amazing for me, especially after struggling sideways with our past seat. All you have to do is secure little one in the comfortable 5 point harness then press the button located behind the seat and swivel the seat with your right hand and you will hear it click into place... easy!

I think its great that it comes with a recline feature, although this can only be used when the seat is rear facing. I find the recline very comfortable for Bee.

Also, the rotate feature means you can completely turn the seat round (obviously not whilst the car is driving) but if you needed to you could access baby easily from the back seat.

Now when I drop Rocket off at Preschool it takes me seconds to remove Bee safely and I have the freedom of carrying him in with me which is so much easier!

Of course I have only had rear facing experience with Bee so far but I will update the review as he moves to forward facing.

Although this seat is on the more costly side, I would really recommend it for anyone that has joint problems like I do, it really does give you that extra help you need as a parent with chronic pain  - plus the smiles you get from your baby as you put them in facing you is heart warming!

The fact that it suits up to 4 years old also makes it a worthwhile investment.

Visit the BRITAX website and you can find them on TWITTER and FACEBOOK.

Some facts about the DUALFIX -

• Rearward facing from birth to 18 kg allows you to keep your child rearward facing even longer. Choose rearward facing or forward facing for your child from 9 - 18kg – offers you the choice of position that best fits you and your child 
• 5-point safety harness with one-pull adjustment distributes the impact forces out across the strong bones of the body and into the seat, plus it allows you to perfectly adjust the harness to your child’s size and keep them secure in the seat no matter what collision you have
• 360° seat rotation makes it easy to move the seat between rearward and forward facing without re-installing and also place your child in and out from the side
• ISOFIX system allows direct connection to the car’s ISOFIX anchorage points for a simple and safe installation
• Multiple recline positions allow a comfortable sleeping position for your child that you can adjust without disturbing them
• Newborn insert provides extra comfort and support for your baby
• Height-adjustable headrest and harness with easy singlehanded adjustment allows the seat to grow with your child without the need to remove and re-thread the harness
• Deep, softly padded full side wings provide optimum Side Impact Protection for your child along the entire seat
• Performance chest pads reduce your child’s forward movement and energy that occurs in the event of an impact
• Installation indicators confirm the seat is installed correctly
• Quick-remove washable cover eliminates the need to remove the harness when washing the cover, therefore ensuring the harness is always installed correctly
• Belly pad for your child’s comfort
• Softly padded cover keeps your child comfortable in their seat
• Rearward facing from birth to 18 kg allows you to keep your child rearward facing even longer. Choose rearward facing or forward facing for your child from 9 - 18kg – offers you the choice of position that best fits you and your child

Group 0+ & 10 – 18kg(≈ Birth – 4y)

	H	W	D	Weight
	78 cm	45 cm	53 cm	14,7 kg

Britax B-MOTION 3 Review

 

As part of the Britax Mumbassador scheme we were sent a B-MOTION 3 to put through its paces

and review (excellent timing as Bee had only been born the week before so we got to take it away and use it!)

We chose the stunning Chilli Pepper model as I loved the red colour which is very eye catching and rich.

Unboxing the B-MOTION3 took around 10 minutes and it really wasn't that difficult to assemble. I was impressed with the quality of the fabric and how sturdy and solid the buggy felt.

One thing I love is its multi positioning feature (with Bee being a newborn the lay flat position is a must) but you can also adjust it to any position you like which helped massively when Bee needed his head elevated due to his cold.

Having a 6 foot (odd) husband, we often find with pushchairs that the handlebars are way too low and cause him discomfort to push, but Britax have really thought this through and the B-MOTION3 offers a height adjustable bar meaning that whoever pushes baby, whether tall or short, can be certain that its going to be a dream to push.. and it really is!

Having air filled rubber wheels and rear suspension you can just about go anywhere with this buggy. Pushing over bumpy terrain in the countryside is absolutely no problem and feels smooth for baby. You also have the option of locking the front swivel wheel if you need to (for those perfectly straight roads)

We live out in the country so quite often take walks down stony paths and fields and its the first buggy I've pushed out there with such ease to be honest!

Another great feature is that you can fold it one handed. It also supports itself freestanding on the ground so you don't have to worry about fiddling with different settings. That also helps keep the buggy clean when stored. It's just as easy to unfold and use straight away too. I did find it took a couple of times opening and closing to get used to it as it was slightly stiff due to being new (and the fact I have a joint problem so everything is harder for me!) but after that it really does go up in a matter of seconds.

I adore that its got a massive shopping basket underneath, storage is a parents best friend and that's where other buggies are a let down! I was able to fill it with the baby bag, coats, rain cover and shopping so that is a fabulous plus.

With the storage it also has a very handy big pocket on the back of the buggy, I love the generous size and how convenient it is to get to baby essentials without having to bend to the shopping basket and dig for what you are looking for.

The seat is very spacious (If my almost 4 year old wasn't as tall as he is then he would fit in there quite happily) there is plenty of room for a growing child to fit comfortably.

The Britax B-MOTION 3 is suitable from Birth to 17kg (4 Years) and weighs 11kg.

It is also avaliable in Neon Back.

SOME HANDY TIPS FROM BRITAX ON HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PUSHCHAIR FOR YOUR FAMILY

Here is a great guide from the lovely people at Britax on how to decide what pushchair is suitable for you :)

From lightweight three-wheelers to travel systems and off-road strollers – there’s a huge array of pushchairs available to choose from, and it can be difficult for new parents to know where to start.

Ask any seasoned mum if she would fork out for the same first pram again and she is likely to say no. In fact, she is more than likely to have one or two more prams back at home in her quest to find the pushchair that satisfied all her and her baby’s needs. 

BRITAX has been speaking and working with mums for decades, and, in the hope of helping new mums learn from other mum’s mistakes and save some serious time and money, we have developed a few simple tips to consider before splashing hard earned cash.

THINK ABOUT YOUR BABY’S NEEDS…

Think comfort.  A comfy baby is a happy baby, so think seats that fully recline, are spacious and well padded.  Think cosy footmuffs, smart raincovers and hoods that protect your little ones from the elements.

Think practically. Don’t forget, the needs of a baby and toddler are very different and they soon grow.  Older toddlers will still need space for a comfortable snooze when their batteries run low.

A boisterous toddler (and tired mum) can be heavy handed and you need to look for a pushchair that has good quality features that can stand a good deal of wear and tear.

Also, think, will the pushchair be handed down to a new sibling in a couple of year’s time?  Look for a hardwearing fabric that will work for both boys and girls.

THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE…

Do you need something lightweight that you can easily get on and off buses, fold up quickly to put in the boot of your car?  Carry up a flight of stairs?  Do you need a heavy weight pram that you can pound the pavements with, with a large shopping basket for all your food shopping?

Considering your lifestyle requirements alongside the needs of your child are key in selecting the right pushchair for your family. With almost 50 years’ experience in manufacturing pushchairs and travel systems, BRITAX has something for every family and every lifestyle.

Consider the following points before you make your final decision…

• If you have a newborn baby, your pushchair should have a full lie-back seat unit. Not only is this the most comfortable position for your new arrival, it is also much safer and will help protect the soft bones in their neck whilst you’re on the move. Some models, such as our BRITAX affinity also come with fully reversible seat units so your baby can face you

• Those families with twins or small children close in age will need to find a pushchair to suit the needs of both siblings. Double side-by-side pushchairs such as the B-AGILE Double, or tandem options such as the B-DUAL offer fantastic features that will suit any family looking after two young children

• Inner city mums are likely to be looking for something lightweight, with good portability that’s easily collapsible (preferably with a one-handed pull fold mechanism), particularly if you’ll be using their pushchair on public transport or have steps leading to your house.  For those looking for a great all rounder which works well in the park or at the shops, the B-MOTION family caters for children from birth up to approximately four years of age

• Alternatively, those living in the countryside might like to make the most of their surroundings with an all-terrain stroller such as the BOB Sport Utility Stroller – its textured tyres and superior suspension will ensure a smooth ride for your child on even the bumpiest terrains

• All of the BRITAX pushchairs can convert to what is known as a travel system - using very simple CLICK & GO adaptors, you can attach a host of carriers, sleepers and carrycots

THINK ABOUT YOUR BUDGET…

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get great quality practical features. You need a pushchair that reclines, is well padded, is safe and provides a comfortable experience for both mum and baby.

Think carefully about whether you will be passing the buggy down to a future sibling – in which case it may be worth spending a little bit more money to ensure it wears well.

Shop around for the best deals, as there are always great offers. BRITAX offers something for every family and for every budget.

AND FINALLY…

Try before you buy - get a proper feel for how it folds, manoeuvres, how much storage space it offers, the height and feel of the handle bars…

Think about where you will be storing the pushchair – in your car, in the hallway, have you got the right amount of space?

Look and see which accessories are included in the price, there are always some great deals to be had.

And remember, it is possible to tick all the boxes; it just takes a little research and testing!

Royal Baby Bliss with BRITAX

Having had my last son premature at 34 weeks, I saw what little babies go through in special care and how much love is given to them to get them through those tough times in special care.

 Bliss was helpful to me as a new mum of a preemie and I was given lots of support and information to help me on my way with my little boy.

 No one knows what will happen with Bumble and when he will come into the world, I am hoping desperately he makes it to term but after the last experience I am mentally preparing myself just incase and I know if I needed it the support from Bliss would be there for me again.

That why I am over the moon to tell you that Britax are launching a Royal themed fundraising drive just for Bliss!!

Just 150 units of the BABY SAFE plus SHR II car seat have been created in the exact same limited edition fabric design that HRH Prince George was seen in leaving the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in.  These seats will go on sale for £129.99 to the public with all proceeds being donated to the charity. 

I imagine these will go shockingly quick so If you'd like to own one for your little Royal and help raise money for Bliss at the same time then you can find them at
http://store.britax.co.uk/

ABOUT BRITAX:

BRITAX has been manufacturing child car seats and travel systems since 1966.

BRITAX has research & development centres in Germany and the UK where designers and engineers use state-of-the-art facilities, including their own test rigs, to pioneer innovative products and set safety standards, such as ISOFIX technology. The expertise BRITAX develops is regularly shared with governmental and safety experts worldwide.

Top European test organisations, such as independent motoring and consumer organisations consistently rate BRITAX amongst the best – and constantly exceed legal safety requirements. 80% of all cars rated by Euro NCAP in 2011 have tested with at least one of our seats during their independent crash test assessments.

BRITAX is the leader of rearward facing car seats in the Nordic regions.

About Bliss:

Bliss is a registered charity no 1002973 and Scottish registered charity SC040878.

Bliss, the special care baby charity, is dedicated to ensuring that all babies born too soon, too small or too sick in the UK have the best possible chance of survival and of reaching their full potential. It does this by:

-          Providing practical and emotional support for families during an extremely difficult time, so they can give the best care to their babies

-          Providing training and support for doctors and nurses, funding specialist Bliss Family-Centred Care Nurses in hospitals and funding research to improve the care of all premature and sick babies

-          Raising awareness of the issues affecting special care babies and fight for essential change within government and the NHS

 

I'm a Britax Mumbassador!

I'm really excited to have been invited to join the team of Britax Mumbassadors and of course I said yes!

I'll be bringing you tips and up to date information from Britax  along with safety information (I recently blogged about the new regulation for car seats called i-Size HERE)

After exiting the younger years with Rocket who is now fast approaching 3 and a half! *gasp* It will be exciting to discover new
products that I may even get to road test when Bumble is born in November!

You can find Britax on Twitter and Facebook along with their Website too!