LATCH system question

Katie829

As DH and I are TTC trying to prepare for everything. I have a 2008 Ford Escape. I love my vehicle and have used it frequently for my nephew. We always put his convertible seat on the side. We use my latch system.

But now that we are TTC we are confused about the LATCH system for in the middle. I have 3 upper anchors in my vehicle and two lower anchors. So I looked into the manual and this is what it says:

A child seat with rigid LATCH attachments cannot be installed at the center rear seat. A child seat with LATCH attachments on belt webbing can be used at the center rear seat unless a child seat at an outboard rear seat is attached to one of these lower anchors.

Can some explain the difference between rigid LATCH attachments and the belt webbing LATCH.

TIA

darlene'smommy

Britax car seats have a rigid LATCH here is their site that shows a photo of what it looks like. It's the lower connectors https://www.britaxusa.com/learning-center/car-seats-101/about-latch ....... This one is not a real picture but it is webbing LATCH. You will see it it's the only picture on the page. https://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system.html

darlene'smommy

Also there is no safety difference between using the seat belt and using LATCH. You can install a car seat in the middle seat with rigid LATCH just using the seat belt not using LATCH. Also you can use the top tether when forward facing while using a seat belt.

LittleApple

I have a 2005 Ford Escape and have my Britax installed in the middle using the LATCH system.  Britax is the only car seat brand that I know of that is approved to use the LATCH in the middle.

Like Darlenesmommy says, LATCH is not necessarily safer than a seat belt, it just makes the install easier. 

Katie829

LittleApple:

Like Darlenesmommy says, LATCH is not necessarily safer than a seat belt, it just makes the install easier. 

 Ah thanks! I thought it was a tighter grip. Like my middle seat buckle could possible come loose (like how the driver seatbelt moves for comfort). But I didn't know that I could use the top tether and the seat belt, which is comforting.

 PS Little Apple-- your daughter is gorgeous!

LittleApple

katiebabie1110:

LittleApple:

Like Darlenesmommy says, LATCH is not necessarily safer than a seat belt, it just makes the install easier. 

 Ah thanks! I thought it was a tighter grip. Like my middle seat buckle could possible come loose (like how the driver seatbelt moves for comfort). But I didn't know that I could use the top tether and the seat belt, which is comforting.

 PS Little Apple-- your daughter is gorgeous!

 Just remember, you can only  use the top tether if the seat is forward facing OR if you have a Britax which is the only brand that makes a tether for rear facing.

Thanks for the compliment  

RSClementine

darlene'smommy:

https://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system.html

Nice, I went to high school with her!