When Keyaan was born, he seemed so tiny (even though he weighed in at an average 3.2kgs) that it seemed every car-seat was too big for him.
I was also daring enough to just carry him in my arms when my Dad drove me and Leonard home from the hospital or in a baby sling in those very early days. Looking back now, I think I must have been insane to leave his safety up to chance in that manner.
As he grew older and very much bigger – at an alarming rate too, I might add – it became a necessity to see that he didn’t hurt himself. I took greater precautions, especially when travelling in a vehicle. I had two hand-me-down car seats which served their purpose, but a few weeks ago, Keyaan found a way to unstrap himself from his Safe-and-Sound (ironic).
After a few rides (in which I would sit beside him in the backseat in an attempt to be a human safety apparatus for him), we decided that it was high time we got a new car seat so that we could travel with peace of mind.
I immediately thought of getting the Maxi Cosi. And I have to admit, it was the brand and cool colours that drew me to the choice. So when I saw a sunshiny red and orange Priory SPS on sale (2009 colours) at Spring Maternity over the weekend, I pulled out the credit card. At $299, it was a bargain, I thought.
I took about thirty minutes learning all about the various reclining positions and how to install and then proceeded to pay for it. Never mind that it would only last up until Keyaan turned four years of age and then I would have to buy a new booster seat for him. It looked good, was not too expensive and in all ways was better than the current one. That was all that mattered!
But I had to venture into the actual shop space (the products were displayed in an outside foyer area) to swipe my credit card. It was then that I realised there was a whole shelf of other car seats at the back of the store!
Being quite kiasu, I told the sales assistant to hold the transaction and let me view the others first.
Leonard nagged at me. “Don’t buy the Maxi! It can only last from now until four or when he hits 25kgs.” He hefted a squirming Keyaan higher on his hip. “Looking at the way things are going, he will probably be hit maximum weight a lot sooner than age four!”
Hmm. I glanced over the other (non-Maxi, non-funky) options available and was about to obstinately stick with my choice, when Len pointed out the sleek Inglesina.
“See, this one will last all they way to 36kgs, or when he’s 11 or 12!” he said.
Apparently, the Mille Miglia, satisfies groups 1, 2 and 3 of the car seat categories, otherwise known as from 9 months until 12 years, the maximum age when kiddies are required to sit on a booster chair while riding in a car.
Here is what the beauty looked like….
The Mille Miglia - a chic and sporty way to ride safe!
Apparently, once your child outgrows the backrest, everything detaches, leaving a booster seat for his precious behind. But until then, it boasts SHP or side head protection, a bit like in the plane seats so that your head is supported while you sleep, adjustable seat back (in six positions), ergonomic everything and five-point belting system.
Best of all, it comes in RED. I was sold.
Later on I found out that Inglesian is an Italian brand much like Peg Perego (even the font and branding is similar) and is definitely a quality brand. Was a bit ashamed to have fallen for the superficially trendy (and common!) traits of the oft-seen Maxi Cosi. At $324 (sale price), it was just slightly more expensive than the Priori and offered a hell of a lot more value.
The Mille Miglia is distributed at the Baby Hyperstore at 69, Shun Li Industrial Park, so if you’re in the neighbourhood, get it from there. But Spring Maternity gives you a $50 rebate if you spend up to $600 in three months so that is kind of worthwhile if you have a lot to buy anyway.
We also found a totally old-school, vintage looking pram that we love, from Inglesina…
The Inglesina Classica - a pram so refined!
Maybe for our second journey together? Well, that’s another story…
