After Jacob arrived last year we faced a bit of a car seat dilemma.
We have 2 family cars but only one with isofix points and so it seemed that finding a car seat we could fit and leave in might be a little trickier.
Not being the biggest fan of anything that lasts a decade as I can’t get my mind into something being able to withstand that sort of use for that long. I was thrilled to find that Maxi-Cosi had an option that might just work for us.
The Maxi-Cosi Opal is a combination baby/toddler seat (Group 0+/1) that is used rear facing at birth till 13kgs in weight and then it can be switched round to be forward facing for a further 5kgs (up to 18kgs)
When it arrived I had expected it to be really difficult to alter the seat from forward to rear facing with its unique base and but it was super simple with the help of the really detailed instructions and if you prefer to see rather than read here’s a helpful video about the fitting.
For the majority of its use we have been using it in the rear facing position but having Jacob weighed at a year it was confirmed that he is in fact a tank so have had to change him into forward facing as he is fractionally off the weight limit.
Obviously we would have preferred him to have stayed rear facing for at least another 6 months but with a 2004 ford focus that has no isofix points we have been rather limited on what seats use seatbelt fittings and remain rear facing beyond the 13kgs all while having Jacob being a rather heavy fella at this stage.
The seat comes is really well padded and has a really easy to adjust headrest and as the height adjustment is being made it also adjusts the width to give maximum protection.
Jacob seemed more than comfortable in the seat and I felt reassured by how it seems to curl round his body when he was sat in it. In fact it was almost like he was sat in it rather than on it like some similar seats.
I worried initially about how much leg space Jacob would have but now he has got to almost the maximum weight limit for the rear facing option I am thrilled that he still has so much leg room and doesn’t have to curl up to sit in it so my initial fears have been put to bed on that front.
In rear facing it is worth noting that getting Jacob in and out is a little more tricky as the seal belt crossed the opening side where you would in get baby in and out. However having seen lots of rear facing seats this is an issue on all of them and not something that should put you off. We have managed to successfully get Jacob in and out of the seat with no issue.
The harness is super easy to fasten so makes getting Jacob in and out that little bit more stressful now he is at the age that unless he wants to do something its like plating fog!
In forward facing mode it has 5 recline positions that are easy to use and are ideal if your little one does still nod off in the car like Jacob does.
Overall the Maxi-Cosi Opal is a great choice for anyone like us that doesn’t have isofix in their car and yet wants to keep baby rear facing that little bit longer than a standard baby carrier car seat.
Disclaimer: This product was given for the purposes of this review. All thoughts and opinions were independently formed by members of The Oliver’s Madhouse.
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