3u3: Carseats

Scarlett&Gatsby

We're going to have 3u3 in April, and I'm curious how those of you with this age gap did carseats. We have a Kia Sedona, and I was thinking I'd move DD1 (forward-facing) to the back bench, keep DD2 where she is, and put #3 in the other bucket seat. Anyone have any experience arranging carseats with 3u3? Is there anything I should be thinking about that I'm not?

memali26

Mine won't be 3u3, my oldest will turn 4 a few weeks before the new one arrives, but I've been considering the same issue. We're upgrading from a small car to a minivan. I think we'll put DD1 (FFing) in the third row, and DD2 and #3 in the center bucket seats/bench (both RFing). The only issue I see with that is that we travel a lot and I can't reach the way back bench to hand her stuff/help if needed.

The other option I considered was, if we choose a van with a bench in the center, putting DD1 in the center FFing and a RFing car seat on either side of her. I'm not sure if that would fit with our seats or not, and I'm not sure having DD1 and DD2 having that kind of access to each other is a great idea.

Scarlett&Gatsby

memali26 said:

Mine won't be 3u3, my oldest will turn 4 a few weeks before the new one arrives, but I've been considering the same issue. We're upgrading from a small car to a minivan. I think we'll put DD1 (FFing) in the third row, and DD2 and #3 in the center bucket seats/bench (both RFing). The only issue I see with that is that we travel a lot and I can't reach the way back bench to hand her stuff/help if needed.

The other option I considered was, if we choose a van with a bench in the center, putting DD1 in the center FFing and a RFing car seat on either side of her. I'm not sure if that would fit with our seats or not, and I'm not sure having DD1 and DD2 having that kind of access to each other is a great idea.

Shoot, I didn't think of that. That's a good point. We travel quite a bit, too. Having to climb to the back of the van periodically seems like a PITA.

bookworm982

I just typed a long response and the bump ate it. Grrr! Basically, we aren't 3u3 yet, but we're planning on it. I've done research and talked to friends, so this is our plan.

We're going to upgrade to a minivan and either remove or collapse the passenger bucket seat (depending on the model we buy) to make the rear bench more accessible. LO#3 will go on the driver's side bucket seat. DS can go rear facing behind the bucket seat. DD will go forward facing on the other end of the back bench. This way I can get to all the children from the passenger side if we parallel park, and everyone is fairly easily accessible. It also leaves floor space for groceries if needed.

Scarlett&Gatsby

bookworm982 said:

I just typed a long response and the bump ate it. Grrr! Basically, we aren't 3u3 yet, but we're planning on it. I've done research and talked to friends, so this is our plan.

We're going to upgrade to a minivan and either remove or collapse the passenger bucket seat (depending on the model we buy) to make the rear bench more accessible. LO#3 will go on the driver's side bucket seat. DS can go rear facing behind the bucket seat. DD will go forward facing on the other end of the back bench. This way I can get to all the children from the passenger side if we parallel park, and everyone is fairly easily accessible. It also leaves floor space for groceries if needed.

You have thought this through! I never would have thought about removing the bucket seat. Interesting...I might have to run that by DH.

Thanks!

Arielle27

We are facing the same issue. We thought we'd put DS1 in the third row ff, DD2 rf or ff in the middle row on one side (she's rf now but we may turn her around soon as she's quite big and cramped in there!) and D?3 in the middle row rf on the other side.

We have an SUV, not minivan, so we'd like to keep some storage space in the trunk for the stroller, bags etc... But we also considered putting two in the back once they are both ff and the new baby in the middle row...

I have an appt with the highway patrol soon to check out configurations and see which works best for us (for safety and comfort).

silliestbunny

We just became 3 u 3 and I logged on to post this exact question.  We don't want to buy a new car... seems silly... although the comforts of a minivan would be nice  

That said, I think I'll be replacing our Recaro carseats (which we LOVE) with two Radians. It will give six more inches of space for the new baby.

Congrats on 3 u 3!  We were 2 u 1 for a few months.. having children close in age has been great for us!  (DD1 is 32 months, DD2 is 24 months, and DS is 9 days old!)

memali26

Scarlett&Gatsby said:

memali26 said:

Mine won't be 3u3, my oldest will turn 4 a few weeks before the new one arrives, but I've been considering the same issue. We're upgrading from a small car to a minivan. I think we'll put DD1 (FFing) in the third row, and DD2 and #3 in the center bucket seats/bench (both RFing). The only issue I see with that is that we travel a lot and I can't reach the way back bench to hand her stuff/help if needed.

The other option I considered was, if we choose a van with a bench in the center, putting DD1 in the center FFing and a RFing car seat on either side of her. I'm not sure if that would fit with our seats or not, and I'm not sure having DD1 and DD2 having that kind of access to each other is a great idea.

Shoot, I didn't think of that. That's a good point. We travel quite a bit, too. Having to climb to the back of the van periodically seems like a PITA.

I came across this idea on Pinterest for keeping an older child's stuff in reach while traveling. We may give it a try. From this blog: https://www.defrumpme.com/2012/05/traveling-with-kids-tips-for-smooth.html?m=1

Beachhouse508

We need a 3u3 board here..just saying! ps we are extended rear facers and are taking out one bucket seat to reach two rf in the back and new baby in the front row.

Arielle27

Btw, I have an appointment at the highway patrol on Friday to check out the safest and most comfortable ways of arranging our three seats. I'll update here if anything new/interesting is brought to my attention during the appointment!

amhah09

silliestbunny said:

We just became 3 u 3 and I logged on to post this exact question.  We don't want to buy a new car... seems silly... although the comforts of a minivan would be nice  

That said, I think I'll be replacing our Recaro carseats (which we LOVE) with two Radians. It will give six more inches of space for the new baby.

Congrats on 3 u 3!  We were 2 u 1 for a few months.. having children close in age has been great for us!  (DD1 is 32 months, DD2 is 24 months, and DS is 9 days old!)

My oldest will be 3 1/2 and DD sill be 22 months when LO gets here. I'm doing this. We might upgrade to one 3rd row vehicle (more likely an SUV and not a mini van) but we will have at least one car that we need to figure seats out with. We are planning on using 2 Radian RXTs. One FF and one RF. We are planning on using an infant carrier seat for the baby but won't rule out a third Radian if it works better.

I don't know how I feel about having a kid in the back back seat of an SUV/MV so I might just keep my Edge and configure the car seats the same.

Arielle27

I had my highway patrol car seat installation appointment today and they confirmed what we thought we'd do as being the best option (for an SUV. I don't know if it would be different in a minivan):

- 3 year old in third row, driver's side facing forward.

- 1.5 year old in second row behind driver's seat. Our daughter is well over the recommended height and weight so we have just turned her forward, but backwards would be fine here too.

- Newborn behind passenger in second row (obviously backwards facing in an infant seat).

Scarlett&Gatsby

Arielle27 said:

I had my highway patrol car seat installation appointment today and they confirmed what we thought we'd do as being the best option (for an SUV. I don't know if it would be different in a minivan): - 3 year old in third row, driver's side facing forward. - 1.5 year old in second row behind driver's seat. Our daughter is well over the recommended height and weight so we have just turned her forward, but backwards would be fine here too. - Newborn behind passenger in second row (obviously backwards facing in an infant seat).

Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!

TobieRose

We are facing this problem too ... shortly before getting pregnant we bought DS a forward facing carseat and it is a monster. Then we found out we were going to be having twins. I have measured our car and the carseats we currently own and it is just not going to work. We may have to buy all-new carseats ... 

A blogger I follow with three kids wrote an informative post about fitting three carseats in her camry: https://carrotsformichaelmas.com/2013/07/01/can-you-fit-three-car-seats-in-a-camry-growing-a-family-on-one-income-part-ii/

runningyogimama

TobieRose said:

We are facing this problem too ... shortly before getting pregnant we bought DS a forward facing carseat and it is a monster. Then we found out we were going to be having twins. I have measured our car and the carseats we currently own and it is just not going to work. We may have to buy all-new carseats ... 

A blogger I follow with three kids wrote an informative post about fitting three carseats in her camry: https://carrotsformichaelmas.com/2013/07/01/can-you-fit-three-car-seats-in-a-camry-growing-a-family-on-one-income-part-ii/

I'm so glad you posted this! We have a snug ride, and I've been trying to figure out which convertible to go with in my little Focus with 2 RF, and I'd been considering the combi corocco, so I'm glad to see she made it work with those 2 plus one in a Camry!

Kissimi21

TobieRose said:

We are facing this problem too ... shortly before getting pregnant we bought DS a forward facing carseat and it is a monster. Then we found out we were going to be having twins. I have measured our car and the carseats we currently own and it is just not going to work. We may have to buy all-new carseats ... 

A blogger I follow with three kids wrote an informative post about fitting three carseats in her camry: https://carrotsformichaelmas.com/2013/07/01/can-you-fit-three-car-seats-in-a-camry-growing-a-family-on-one-income-part-ii/

I have 3u3 (a 2.5 year old and 4 month old twins).  I havet Diono Radian convertible car seats in my Malibu.  They are narrow enough to fit 3 across in any car, have a great safety rating and are good from newborn through to booster seat.  They cost more at first, but you never have to upgrade them. I have also used 1 Diono with 2 Baby Trend Flex-lock carrier seats. 

laura1

We aren't 3u3 but were 3 - 3 and under.  We have a Honda CR-V and have 3 across.  Middle child is FF behind the driver, oldest is FF in the middle seat, and baby is RF behind the passenger.  The 2 oldest have Diono Radian R100s and the baby is in a Graco Snugride.  

We have the 2 outside seats installed with the seat belt and the middle seat installed with the latch.  Our car only had latch positions for 2 seats, so it worked best this way - also installing with the seat belts allowed us to have the seats closer to the doors and create more space for 3 across. 

We have had this configuration for over 9 months now and it is working well for us!  We will be getting a minivan in the new year, though - our CRV will be paid off by then so we can add a new car payment.  It will just be nice to be able to have other people in the car with us!  Good luck!

KacieLeigh

My oldest is 4 now, but we moved her back to the very back seat when DS was born.  So she was 3 then.  The hardest part was that she couldn't buckle herself.  So we had basically get inside and go the back to buckle her.  The youngest two were in the bucket seats.  Once she learned to buckle, things were great!  We worked really hard on teaching her to buckle herself.  Now, if she needs something, we pull over/park somewhere and let her come up to the front and get it, rebuckle, and start again.  The carseat thing might have been my biggest challenge with 3u3!