[Jenne]

So we just got back from France and whilst there I saw several carseats that were *side* facing. I'm not sure if they were able to rotate to side facing for loading and then rotate to rear facing for driving or what. I can't find any info about it. Anyone know what's up?<br><br>
Thanks!<br>
Jenne

 

[alegna]

I expect they rotated. There is at least one on the market here that does that. Crazy expensive though and low weight and harness heights.<br><br>
-Angela

 

[leighi123]

Did it look like this?<br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4TlGZJvPHU" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4TlGZJvPHU</a><br><br>
They have an infant one too, which fits into the same base.

 

[Jenne]

Yep! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> That's it! I saw those *everywhere* in Paris. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/nut.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="nut"> Or else, I noticed those everywhere and ignored the standard carseats which is more likely! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><br>
Thanks for the info! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> I think I lack several zeroes on the end of my tax return to be the target demographic for this product but it is neat to know about.<br><br>
Thanks!<br><br>
Jenne

 

[Adventuredad]

A car seat which rotates is a good idea in theory but it makes it heavier and more expensive. These are also forward facing which is terrible and unsafe for young children. France is just like US about 30 years behind car seat safety, mainly due to turning kids forward way to soon but also for keeping a large number of kids unrestrained.<br><br>
Attitudes towards cost of car seats are very different depending on where you come from. Spending $450 on a rear facing car seat is standard and completely normal in Sweden. This sounds crazy fro people in US or other places. We actually consider this cost a bargain.<br><br>
Our rear facing seats can be used comfortably from birth or a young age until age 4-6. That means a car seat is costing $100 a year or so, far less for most people who sell the seats later on. Spending $100 a year to keep a child safe is bargain.<br><br>
We have basically eliminated fatalities in Sweden in age 0-6 by using these car seats. That's why parents, lower or upper income classes, are happy to spend this amount on car seats

 

[Jenne]

Adventuredad- Thanks for the post! I agree that safety is the priority. My comment about not finding the seat afforable has more to do with that I doubt that seat is as safe as the convertibles I've been considering.<br><br>
Thanks!<br>
Jenne

 

[chickabiddy]

The Orbit seat passes the same tests as other convertibles, so it is safe to use to its limits. Its limits are much lower than many other convertibles on the market, however, so kids will be forward-facing sooner and out of a harness sooner, and neither of those are good.