Our in-house, in-car safety expert John Horsfall has carefully considered and answered your questions he received this week. Here are his responses…
Danielle McLymont
When is it okay to remove the newborn head hugger? When should I stop using the Ventura car seat; when my child reaches the maximum weight or when the top of their head reaches the top of the car seat ?
Hi Danielle,
Keep the newborn head hugger in for as long as possible. It might help if you remove the foam wedge and just use the head support in the latter stages. You should stop using the Ventura Plus child car seat when either you have reached the maximum weight (13kg) or your baby’s head reaches the top of the car seat whichever comes first. Make sure the harness is fitted correctly either level or just below your baby’s shoulders. If your baby still fits the Ventura Plus correctly I would recommend that you use the seat for as long as possible, rearward facing is safer than forward facing. The physical development of your child should be taken into consideration. Your child must be able to sit up for a long period of time sitting comfortably with confidence. You might consider a combination seat which would allow you to keep your child rearward facing in a bigger environment but the same weight and height rules as the Ventura Plus Infant Carrier will still apply.
Frances Kellett
My question is how can I help my youngest babys head from polling in her Ventura? Had to remove head bugger as her head is too big and has been from about 4 weeks! At the moment I have a flannel either side of her head to support whilst sleeping but think there must b a better way and if not then there’s a gap in the market!?
Hi Frances,
If you have not already done so removing the foam wedge could give you more room for the head hugger. Your baby must be big enough for you to do this. It is not advisable to add anything as it may come out in an accident situation.
Kayleigh Thain
Why do you not sell an extended rear facing car seat?
Hi Kayleigh,
Unfortunately the Group 0+/1 rearward facing child car seats are not widely sold in the UK. They are not designed to be removed from the vehicle and are generally more difficult to fit. Silver Cross are always researching the child car seat market but at the moment they do not have such a seat in their range.
Elaine ‘Flynn’ Gernon
Does the isofix base only work with the Ventura car seat or can you buy a bigger car seat to fit the base once baby has outgrown the Ventura seat?
Hi Elaine,
The Ventura ISOFIX Base is only designed to fit the Ventura Plus & Ventura Plus S child car seats.
Sam Cruse
Same question as Kayleigh, any plans for a stage 1 rear facing car seat?
Hi Sam,
As mentioned to Kayleigh, unfortunately the Group 0+/1 rearward facing child car seats are not widely sold in the UK. They are not designed to be removed from the vehicle and are generally more difficult to fit. Silver Cross are always researching the child car seat market but at the moment they do not have such a seat in their range.
Imelda Bradley
Does the isofix base fit in the back row seats of a 2005 crysler voyager? I’m not anywhere near a shop to try it before I but it. Reason I ask is that the back rite seats are graduated seats. Prob not right phrasing, but the seats aren’t straight, they dip toward the back. Ive 5 kids and need to find best positioning for each child so they are all comfortable.
Hi Imelda,
The Ventura ISOFIX Base does have a Vehicle Application List with the product and you must make sure that your vehicle is listed. I have checked the list and it does list a Chrysler Voyager 2001 onwards. I would always recommend that you “Try before you buy” to make sure the product is suitable.
Catherine Edwards
Like our ventura seat, only probs we had were the clicking noise of the hood would wake baby! Would also ask why the straps don’t have a higher slot please? We could’ve had the kids in it for far longer but the straps didn’t go high enough (but there are an extra set of holes in the back of the shell but they can’t be used?) The straps for the Sleepover when in buggy mode are too short too. Loved them both on the whole though 
Hi Catherine,
Unfortunately there is a clicking noise associated with the hood adjustment but hopefully there will be a firmness in the hoods position. The shoulder straps have 2 positions only to comply with the relevant standards. The 3rd slot is deliberately blocked off to avoid this position being used.
Louise Crane
My son is 14 weeks and 16lbs, too big for both the carry cot and car seat on our 3d (what we’re left with is an expensive pushchair) what are our options for a car seat now?
Hi Louise,
If your son is too big for the car seat (your retailer will be able to confirm this) I would suggest a combination seat that is suitable for your vehicle/s (in both groups) and your child so that he can remain rearward facing up to the minimum weight of 9kgs before forward facing can be considered. If you can continue rearward facing usually up to 13kgs (check the seat) and make sure your child’s head is not taller than the seat back, it would be safer.
Caroline Haldane Fallow
We have ordered our linear freeway pram and have went to buy the vebtura car seat to match but the car seat is too big for the car seat belt to fit round, very disappointing and now heard of a few people with this problem- this has made us consider changing the pram and silver cross obviously lost the sale of a car seat- is the shop assistant not fitting it correctly or is this a typical problem as the car seat is more bulky than others? Our car is a 06 focus. its really disappointing. Thank you
Hi Caroline,
Unfortunately the Ford Focus vehicles are known to have short seat belts and this can be a problem when trying to fit child car seats. There is the possibility of purchasing a Ventura ISOFIX Base (If your vehicle has ISOFIX points fitted and your vehicle is approved in the Vehicle Application List supplied with the Base). This may be a possibility to overcome short seat belts. You must check that there is not a floor storage compartment, you cannot rest a front support leg on a compartment lid.
Fran Perkins
My daughter is 17wks and also to tall for the pram liner and carseat, she only weighs 13lb.
Hi Fran,
If this is the situation I would suggest a visit to your retailer to have this confirmed.
@MorvenMcPherson
Would my Ventura Plus car seat only fit into the SilverCross Ventura ISOFIX base? Thanks in advance.
Hi Morven,
Yes your Ventura Plus infant carrier will only fit the Ventura ISOFIX Base.
Samantha Dawe
Do car seats have an expiry date or is it just a way for companies to make more money? Also when can you use a high back booster from?
Hi Samantha,
Some child car seat manufacturers may have expiry dates. It is always advisable to have a child car seat that complies with the current up to date standard (Presently R44.03 or R44.04). You can use a high back booster from a minimum weight of 15kgs (33lbs). Also check your child’s height is suitable.
Chloë Ross
I would like to know what is safer the isofix or just your regular seat belt to install?
Hi Chloë,
The ISOFIX is considered to be safer and also the seat is more likely to be fitted correctly.
Kate Bellairs
I want to know if in their personal opinion do they think extended rear facing is safer? If so what age do they think a child should preferably rear face until and do they pass this information on when asked by parents. Thanks x
Hi Kate,
Rearward facing is considered to be safer. You can now buy seats that are rearward facing in Groups 0+/1 (Approximately from birth to 4 years). Rearward facing for longer is commonly used in Scandinavian countries but the seats are not designed to be taken out of the vehicle on a regular basis and are generally more difficult to fit.
Kim Ridger
My son is growing out of his infant seat rather rapidly and we’re looking for something that is easy to move between cars preferably not iso-fix. would like to know what seat they’d recommend?
Hi Kim,
I would advise a visit to a retailer with a wide range of seats to choose from and the facility to try the seat before you buy. There are seats on the market that would fit your requirements but the best seat for your vehicle/s will always be the one that fits correctly and is suitable for your child.
Erin Ardis
I have maxi cosi cabriofix seats for my twins, approximately what age/weight will they have to go into the next stage seat? x
Hi Erin,
The maximum weight for the Cabriofix is 13kg (29lbs). See orange label on seat. The maximum height of your child is decided by the position of the head. It must not be above the top of the infant carrier seat back. The child’s physical development needs to be considered, your child should be sitting up independently for a long period of time, sitting in comfort and with confidence.
Ruth Strong
Hi, I’m looking for a seat that is easy to move between a few different cars, it also needs to be easy to sercure for the grandparents. My son is 1, which ones would you recommend? Also, I have the Maxi Cosi Opal because it rear faces up to… 13kg, my son is 10kg at the mo so we’ll get a few more months use from it. But I am looking for a rear facing seat for up to 4yrs, which one would you recommend? I’m struggling to find much info on british stockists and reviewers. Thanks in advance
Hi Ruth,
The best child car seat is the one that fits your vehicle/s. There are a wide range of child car seats available and I would suggest that you visit a retailer with a wide range and the expert knowledge of child in car safety. You can purchase child car seats that rearward face in Groups 0+/1 and a useful website to visit would be www.rearfacing.co.uk
Laura Harbidge
I have a britax babysafe, is this ok to fit in the front of a mercedees SLK with the airbag disabled?
Hi Laura,
If you are considering fitting a rearward facing infant carrier in the front seat I would recommend that you get confirmation from the vehicle manufacturer that it is okay to do this with the front passenger airbag turned off. The Britax Babysafe Infant Carrier is approved to the relevant safety standards, a well respected child car seat and is widely available.
Emma
My daughter is 6 months old and is tall for her age but light only 6.1kg . Her feet are starting to touch the chair back when she is in her Ventura car seat. Will she need to cross her legs or can we move up to the next size of seat before she is 9kg? Thank you
Hi Emma,
The position of your child’s head in the infant carrier is the most important consideration when judging your child’s length, not the legs. The head must not be above the top of the infant carrier seat back. It is important that your child remains rearward facing for as long as possible but do not exceed the seat’s maximum weight & height.
Mel and Paul
We have purchased the silver cross surf with the Ventura S car seat. Can you please inform me if it will fit in a Ford Focus Zetec Climate TDCi, registered 2007 on a 06 plate, on the back seat. We have heard from friends that the seat belt is not long enough and also the car will not support the ISOFIX base. Can you please shed some light on this.
Hi Mel and Paul,
Unfortunately the Ford Focus range does suffer from short seatbelts. If the seat belt is too short you might have been able to consider the Ventura ISOFIX Base but if your vehicle has not got ISOFIX points a base can not be a consideration. It is worth asking the vehicle dealer if ISOFIX points can be fitted. If so the base could then be an option as long as it is approved.
