Primo Viaggio - a stylish little number (Mamas & Papas Primo Viaggio)

Member Name: Leopard_Lady

Product:	Mamas & Papas Primo Viaggio
Date:	03/07/03 (1996 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Safe, Stylish, In-Car Base

Disadvantages: Weighty , In-Car Base, A Little Small

The Primo Viaggio car seat is a rear facing group 0+ car seat meaning it is suitable for babies from birth to 13kg (or till they are about 12-15 months). I bought mine as part of a travel system but to buy separately they are approximately £90 from various retailers as well as Mamas and Papas stores obviously.

The seat itself is well padded as are the deep sides. As well as this padding the Primo Viaggio comes with a head hugger and extra optional chest and buckle pads. If you buy this as part of the Mamas and Papas Freestyler Completo Travel System you also get a Completo Comfort Pad which you can use as even more comfy padding in the Primo Viaggio. I did find that when my son was newborn that there seemed to be too much padding if you used the chest pads too ? he just seemed swamped by them, but this is easily remedied by taking them off. Once he had grown a little it looked a lot more comfortable.

There is also a removable hood included with the Primo Viaggio which is great for shading from the sun, wind or a light rain while dashing back to the car. For heavier rain times you can also buy a Primo Viaggio raincover.

The Primo Viaggio is unfortunately quite heavy to carry. Consider that the seat is suitable for babies up to 13kg and you are going to end up carrying quite a weight. I am quite small at 5?2? and I found it quite bulky and cumbersome to carry for any period longer than from car to shop door.

The Primo Viaggio comes with an in-car base which is like a docking station which stays in the car and allows you to fit the seat easily by means of the G-Matic One Click System. This is a universal system in the Mamas and Papas range and allows you to fit the car seat on to a chassis or pushchair quickly and easily and without disturbing your sleeping baby.

Once you have fitted the base into the car with the car seat belt the Primo Viaggio clips onto the base relatively effortlessly and is released by holding a lever
towards you and lifting the Primo Viaggio up. When you use the Primo Viaggio in the car you MUST ALWAYS use the base. The car seat will not be safe or effective if used without the base. When you have placed the seat in the base in the car you have to put the carry handle into the travel position so that it is resting against the backrest of the adult seat. This then acts as an anti-tip device in the event of an accident.

The only disadvantages for me are the weight and the in car base. Though the in-car base problem is more to do with my circumstances rather than the product itself. I think the base is excellent if you have your own car. It becomes a bit of a problem if you don?t have your own car. For example if you are going to visit friends by public transport and then are offered a lift home! Or if you are getting a taxi you have to take the base with you. So although it is a brilliant idea I think it is something to consider unless you have your own car.

To see the Primo Viaggio look on the mamas and papas website... www.mamasandpapas.co.uk

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