My name is Shamall Salih I am 31 years old, married and live in London. I am also a busy mother of 4 children, 1 son and 3 daughters. Nali aged 10, Lanya aged 9, Kaani aged 6 and a newborn named Layan aged 4 weeks, so you could say we live in Pink palace everything is pink in my house - my poor boy. I worked in boots before I fell pregnant. I love shopping but wonder what woman doesn't - I also love going out for coffees and restaurant's and cinemas. I visit friends when I have time of course in between school runs and homework clubs and after school clubs.
So pleased to have been accepted to trial out the recaro Privia carseat - I hope my reviews will give you an idea on what the carseat is like.
First Impressions:-
I recieved the item in a big box with an isofix base as our car has isofix brackets. We chose the colour pink and black of course with having a girl. We opened the box and took out the car seat and what we 1st noticed was that it is very padded - in the inside it has 2 cushions one around the head and the other can be placed under the bottom or the back depending on your preference. I had placed it at the bottom as Layan is only 4.5 kg so quite dainty, but long. It also has padding on the straps that fastens them in on the shoulders - if you have children like mine their heads always roll on to the straps. Making the straps long or short is easily done with one hand.
We have used the isofix base also which is very easy to use and set up in the car with isofix points. We have a lexus so it is already in built within the car. Took 2 mins to set it up and I find it very easy to attach the car seat and take it out also. All can be done with one hand. This was the 1st time I used an isofix base and now understand how easy it is. On the isofix base there are 4 points which turn green if the car seat is properly inserted and red if not. On each one there is a picture to show you where the problem is which is very handy as it saves you trying to guess what is wrong.
My next review will be when I attach the car seat to my bugaboo camelon.
June 2014
I have attached the RECARO carseat to my cameleon 3 frame using the maxi cosi adapters - they fit well on this carseat and it attaches to the base easily. I placed adapters in the sides in between the bottom of the handle bar and attached it to the base of my cameleon with one hand. So easy to attach and much less hassle when transferring a sleeping baby to the carry cot of my pushchair - when you can bet that she would wake up. I can take out the car seat with one hand as its attached to the isofix base with, so less hassle of doing the seat belt & leaning over the car seat to undo it . All this with one hand which is great!
While the Privia is attached to the pushchair it's very stable doesn't shake and baby looks comfortable while inside it . Now with this hot weather they do get sweaty as with any carseat. One thing I have noticed is the hood doesn't come over much - I feel maybe it could be longer so would cover a bit more of the baby especially with the weather we have had. People have actually come over and asked me which car seat I am using as they love the colour and the way it looks on the chameleon frame. You feel that you can only use the cabrio or the pebble on the chameleon so this is a new one you can use also.
So a happy baby equals a happy mummy. Next update will be us traveling to Wales and baby being in the carseat for a 3 hour journey. Will see how it goes.
July 2014
My daughter is currently 19 weeks. We planned to go away to Wales for a short break with the children for the summer holidays so after all the packing & loading the car we placed Layan in the RECARO Privia carseat. This would be the longest journey for her to be in the carseat - we used the isofix base which as I stated before is so easy to place the carseat onto; no need for reaching for the seatbelt etc and more comfortable for Layan without having a seat belt across the front stopping her from moving and kicking her legs, so off we went . I felt that she was very comfortable during the journey as she slept most of the way there & didn't complain. It took us 3 hours and a half to get there as there was lots of traffic. Once we arrived I noticed she was a little sweaty behind her head and her back but that's all . We took the carseat on the beach also - I like that it tilts a little back as they're so young to be sitting upright. You can rock it and even place the handle bar at the back for added safety. This carseat I have noticed is easy to carry, not bulky and I feel baby is very safe if, god forbid, an accident was to occur .
August 2014
I love this carseat . I have noticed when comparing it to my other carseat that it seems to lay back further if you use it outside the car and Layan seems to find it more comfortable. We have removed the head insert that you use for newborns as Layan is 5 months old now. She seems to be happier and doesn't complain while inside the carseat, helping her to sleep well . It is easy to wash also and easy to attach the fabrics to the base.
