where to install infant car seat?

anne.azano

Hi everyone,

 I have a graco snugride 30 and am finally getting around to installing it at 39 weeks.  Just wondering as a FTM, where did you install your car seats?   In the middle, behind the driver, or behind the passenger?   I found the instruction manual a bit vague. Thanks!

sarahbethski04

It depends. The safest place from point of impact is the middle. But you may feel safer using the latch system depending on if your seat belts lock or not. If you look up car seat clinics there it will tell you where you can go to get your carseat inspected. These are great and totally worth your time.

JenK1108

Read your car's instruction manual.  It will typically tell you where the infant seat can be placed, if you are using latch.  We put ours behind the drivers seat, and our son's RF convertible is there now.  Personally, I would not have chosen the middle unless I had to - take out all space for putting anything in the car, or basically anyone else, at least in our car! 

kristen218

If you use the LATCH system it most likely will have to be on one of the sides because not many cars have the LATCH for the middle. We decided to put ours in the middle for now, we have a Jeep. DD is very light and it is not to tough to lift her in. As she gets bigger we may switch her to the side. 

  

kelle017

I am a nanny and have the infant seat in the middle using the latch.  I have a Chevy cobalt. 

jobiann

As PP said, read your car owners manual. In my car, a Pontiac Grand Prix we have the seat in the very center...although the more weight he gains the harder it is to get him in and out...we will switch to a side here shortly.

In H's car, a Subaru Tribeca the sides are recommended, we have him behind the passenger seat.  

Angela814

Where ever it fits best and you can get the best install. A rear facing carseat takes up a lot of room, so ours are either behind the passenger or in the middle. DH can't fit in the driver's seat to drive with the seat behind him.

anne.azano

Thanks ladies, I was thinking it was more about the car seat itself, and it sounds like looking at the car manual is just as important!  Definitely planning on taking it to get inspected either way.

SCtoDC

For the best fit, when he was RF DS was in the middle (has latch).  Now, he is FF and behind the passenger's seat.  We do a lot of parallel parking, so I like having him curbside.

Not sure how we'll juggle once #2 comes along.