Ok, so we've got a travel system - now to travel.

At the time of purchasing the Stokke Xplory I owned a Seat Leon Cupra (Mk1) - which I loved. The Xplory did fit into the boot, but that was it - nothing else, I was a little concerned to say the least, but had been considering changing the car for a while now as it was starting to get expensive to run. This gave me the catalyst that I needed.

Chosing a car used to be quite a straightforward experience, can I fit behind the wheel, does it go fast, do I like the look of it, simple decisions - not any more.

We now had to consider (amongst others):

• does all the travel system fit in the boot - with room to spare
• can I fit behind the wheel with room behind me for the baby seat
• does the car have Isofix
• what is the NCAP rating
• is it reliable

Previously, being of a lofty disposition I had to have the driver seat as far back as it would go, with the seat down as low as possible. This meant that the Leon was effectively a 3- seater on account that very few people could sit behind me.

Eventually, after much deliberation we bought a Honda Accord - iCDTi Sport. Reliable, roomy, frugal, sporty (ish).

With the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix & Easyfix base in place, the car seat (stage 1) was unable to fit between the back of the driver seat and the rear seat back. The car seat is therefore installed on the passenger side. There is just about enough room for Bev to sit behind me (not for long journeys though).

When selecting the car people would often say things like "Oh, get a people carrier - loads of room". Well, in our experience (and I dragged Bev round enough car showrooms in the past) the people carriers rarely gave us much more in the way of legroom - if any. The biggest improvement was for headroom, but I don't have an issue with headroom in a "standard" car, so we saw little point.

So here we are - the buggy/travel system fits into the boot, we can all fit in the car in relative comfort, and everyone is happy.

Well, almost.

When Hayden was first born we easily popped the car seat onto/off of its base (if anyone is considering buying the Easyfix base, do it - it's so easy). We're not alone in thinking this either.

http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_0_10751_-1__9513_10001_

Now he's getting a bit bigger/heavier it is a little bit of a strain on the back when lifting the car seat in/out of the car, so having to bend less would be a boon. I can't imagine having to fit the seat into the car without the base.

However, there are seemingly few cars out there that we

1. can afford - to buy and run
2. fit into (including paraphernalia)
3. like the look of (image is obviously important)

What we have discovered is that bigger cars don't always mean bigger space inside, but almost always mean bigger bills.

For the forseable future the Honda will suffice, but as we grow - both physically and in numbers (no no, nothing to report!) we are certain we'll be more comfortable in something bigger.

Given the recent news suggesting that parents should keep their children in rear-facing car seats until the age of 4:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/safety/5506656/Parents-should-keep-children-in-rear-facing-car-seats-until-the-age-of-four.html

Means that our situation is only exacerbated - Hayden is only 4 1/2 months old, yet is already getting to the stage where his car seat (suitable for up to 12 months!?) is a little too small. Official guidance currently suggests that the baby should remain in the rear-facing car seat until the age of at least 9 months. Well, Hayden is the size of a nine month old child already - so how will that work?

I have sent an email to Maxi Cosi - who have been very helpful in the past, but I am still concerned over the guidance.

I'll keep you posted.