Car seats

svodo

I've tried Google and am getting conflicting opinions. So, maybe you ladies will know. I'll have a forward facing convertible seat for DS1 and an infant seat rear facing for DS2. My car doesn't have latch for the middle. Where should I place each seat?

SplashingFishy

I don't think you can use the middle if you have two seats in the back. We are putting the forward facing behind the driver and infant behind passenger. DH and I are both tall enough that having the infant behind the driver would hinder comfort if driver.

svodo

Thanks for the help!!

meltoine

I asked the inspection tech about this when I had DS1's seat inspected a couple of months ago. She said that it's fine to have one in the middle and one on the passenger side, as long as they fit next to each other. Some cars have really narrow middle seats and you can't fit the second seat in safely. Some cars have wider middle seats and they fit fine. 

You cannot use LATCH to install the seat in the middle if your middle seat doesn't have LATCH. You will have to use the belt, which is just as safe if you do it right.

The rule of thumb is that the least safe seat should go on the safest position. Since your older LO is FF, he is in the least safe seat, and as such should be in the middle if your car has a wide enough middle seat. Then you would put DS2 behind the passenger seat.

If your car doesn't have a wide middle seat, put DS1 behind the passenger seat and DS2 behind the driver.

 Also, look for a certified car seat inspection tech to double check your work when you're done.  

meltoine

mainerocks:

Why behind the passenger if LO#1 is in the middle? I thought technically drivers side is safer since the drivers instinct is protect that side of the car?

Statistically most side-impact crashes are on the driver's side. I'm not sure why the driver's instinct has anything to do with it. It's not like my instinct is going to stop another car from t-boning me.