Rear Facing Car Seat Question

KaloramaKB

We got two Chicco Keyfit 30 car seats and were relieved when they both technically fit in my Hyundai Elantra. However, it wasn't a perfect situation because I am tall (5'9") and would have to drive with limited legroom but figured it was worth sucking it up for a year if we didn't have to buy a new car. Plus, DH and I plan on sharing daycare drop off and pick up duties (legroom didn't seem to be an issue in his Jeep Cherokee), so I could put my seat back when I didn't have the babies in the car.

But when we went to an infant safety class they mentioned that rear facing car seats should not be touching the seat in front of them. This is definitely the case with my Hyundai and also the case when DH (who is 6' 2") is driving his Jeep. As a result, I quickly began to panic. Has anyone else heard this? What do other tall twin parents drive to avoid this problem? 

caden

DH and I are both very tall but I drove an SUV/minivan so it wasn't an issue in my car. DH's small car would have been a problem but we just never used it when we had the kids. Since you do need to use both cars I'd see if your car seats can fit in the middle and behind the passenger seat instead of behind the driver and passenger seat.

JodiAriel

Depending on the car & seat it ranges from a paper to a hand that must fit between the seat and the car seat.  I drive a Jeep Liberty and the infant seats barely fit and I am 5'3 and DH 5'6.  The Radians we have now are almost dangerous for me to drive I am so close to the steering wheel.  We are going to start looking for a new car as soon as we move. 

You definitely should try the middle and passenger side so the driver is safe,  Check safekids.org for a fitting station or car seat tech near you to help with the install.

somewhereincali

@jodiariel do you have the angle adjusters with the radians? They make a huge difference in space and are super cheap

chickaboo1974

Check your vehicle's and the car seat's manual- when I was a tech, the general rule was that they shouldn't touch- but if in the car seat's manual says that it is ok to touch the vehicle's seat then it is ok.

JodiAriel

@somewhereincali I do have the AA and even with them the Jeep is still super cramped.  I also have tried the middle and passenger side but because the Radian is so tall (and taller with the AA) then I can't see out the back window.  Sucks.

Paradisemoon

KaloramaKB said:

We got two Chicco Keyfit 30 car seats and were relieved when they both technically fit in my Hyundai Elantra. However, it wasn't a perfect situation because I am tall (5'9") and would have to drive with limited legroom but figured it was worth sucking it up for a year if we didn't have to buy a new car. Plus, DH and I plan on sharing daycare drop off and pick up duties (legroom didn't seem to be an issue in his Jeep Cherokee), so I could put my seat back when I didn't have the babies in the car.

I couldn't leave this thread without saying this- The recommended age is two for rear facing. I urge you to do research on internal decapitation in children that are FF after 1 year of age. Trust me. it is NOT just hype.