latch system or center seat

junch817 · February 2012

We've heard that the best place for the carseat is the back middle. However, we've also heard that the LATCH system is the safest way to secure the carseat.

So if there is no LATCH system to use for the middle seat (and the manufacturer does not recommend using the left or right anchors for the middle seat) is it better to use the seat belt attachment and place the carseat in the middle seat, or the LATCH system behind the driver or passenger seat???

We were going with the LATCH system and placing the carseat behind the driver (our carseat is the SnugRide 35 and was side-impact tested).

niknak7 · February 2012

Actually safety wise as long as you can get a secure fit using the seat belt in the middle seat, both options are the same safety wise. LATCH isn't any safer than a seatbelt unless you can't get a good fit.

For DD, I was able to get a secure fit in the middle seat using the seatbelt, so I did that. I just felt better knowing she was in the safest spot in the vehicle.

psychgirl33 · February 2012

I don't know the answer, but my car doesn't have LATCH in the middle because the manufacturer doesn't recommend putting the car seat in the middle. We put it on the passenger side because mh can't fit in the seat in front of it. At the hospital they told us passenger is their second choice because a slightly lower number of accidents happen on the passenger side.

reneenearl · February 2012

You can check with the car manufacturer. My car does not allow a rear facing seat in the center (2008 Ford Fusion) and we has to put it on the passenger side in the back. We have latches on all three seats but The car seat inspector said it was not safe in the middle seat in my car and she was right. When she tried to install it it would not sit flat.

My husband drives a 2012 Kia soul and it has the split seat in the back and only latch systems on the side. Due to the split seat Kia reccomended the rear facing seat not to be put in the middle. The middle is not always the safest place, it depends on the car... Well according to the inspector of our seat.

psychgirl33 · February 2012

reneenearl:
You can check with the car manufacturer. My car does not allow a rear facing seat in the center (2008 Ford Fusion) and we has to put it on the passenger side in the back. We have latches on all three seats but The car seat inspector said it was not safe in the middle seat in my car and she was right. When she tried to install it it would not sit flat.
My husband drives a 2012 Kia soul and it has the split seat in the back and only latch systems on the side. Due to the split seat Kia reccomended the rear facing seat not to be put in the middle. The middle is not always the safest place, it depends on the car... Well according to the inspector of our seat.

Yep, do what your car manual says. FTR, I have a 2009 Subaru Outback and it says don't use the middle.

CplusJ=S · February 2012

The car seat tech who installed ours said that LATCH is no safer, it's just easier to install. She informed me that in most cases, car seats should be installed in the middle seat for maximum protection against side impact crashes.

BitsKD13 · February 2012

Neither my car, nor R's, have the latch system so we will probably install the car seat in the middle or passenger side of the car. We looked at the owner's manual for R's can and it doesn't specify one location as better for the seat to be in.

slukd79 · February 2012

My only caution to those who use the middle is to protect your own back when getting them in and out. When they are teeny tiny, its fairly easy to whip them out. But as they get heavier, you can really overstress and strain your back into an injury by reaching that far into the car for that heavy of a load. (I am the annoying physical therapist on the board. But I just want new mommies to protect themselves as well as baby. You will be no good to your little one if you are laid up with a back injury!)

LifeAtMyOwnPace · February 2012

I put mine in the middle - I drive a 2009 Honda Civic. It's true what PP says - the LATCH is no safer, it's just "easier" to install. I honestly didn't think the center position was difficult to install at all. But I have a big husband who pulled that belt TIGHT - we brought it in to get it inspected and the police officer said she was super impressed.

I was T-boned at an intersection (driver's side) two years ago and my car was totaled. It was a no-brainer for me ... my own back *will* probably suffer, as another PP said, but I wanted my baby in the safest seat my car would accommodate.

tash_rn · February 2012

We have the same type situation as well. I took mine to the fire department to have it installed and inspected and asked about this while I was there. According to the car seat expert it's like people have said, if you can get a secure fit with the seat belt in the center (and it's recommended on your car, it is on mine but not on my husband's) then that is just as safe as the latch. The latch is easier and therefore more often properly installed which is why some people think it's safer. And if you have to go to one side or the other, behind the passenger is actually the safer side. Anyway, that is the word according to the car seat expert I talked to so hopefully that helps.

mrs.gee · February 2012

tash_rn:
We have the same type situation as well. I took mine to the fire department to have it installed and inspected and asked about this while I was there. According to the car seat expert it's like people have said, if you can get a secure fit with the seat belt in the center (and it's recommended on your car, it is on mine but not on my husband's) then that is just as safe as the latch. The latch is easier and therefore more often properly installed which is why some people think it's safer. And if you have to go to one side or the other, behind the passenger is actually the safer side. Anyway, that is the word according to the car seat expert I talked to so hopefully that helps.

This is what I was always told as well. We always had DS in the center and only recently moved his seat to the passenger side to make space for the infant seat.

kenldav · February 2012

We had a carseat tech come out yesterday to assist us with installing ours. My crossover and DH's truck neither one had a middle LATCH system. The tech read both manuals on the vehicles and they recommended the side seats so we went with behind the passenger seat. We have a snugride graco 35

Wipz · February 2012

Guessin DH and I better start reading some manuals now we actually have a car seat to install. Luckily we only have one car to worry about since I don't drive Smile

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