Parenting

XP: Car Seat Location

We have a Kia Sorrento (only second row, no third row). Right now, my 14 month old is rear facing in the center. He will be 18 months old when the new baby arrives. Likely, he will still be rear facing at that time because he's pretty tiny. Question about where you would put each child? The new baby will be in a removable infant carrier with a base. Do you put one at each door and give up a third seat option? Or do you put them side by side? Which child goes in the middle? I've always heard put the least protected child in the center, but I am not sure if that's the little baby or the more open toddler!

Re: XP: Car Seat Location

  • If you can get a good install on the seats, ideally you would put new baby in center, and toddler on the side. Also, your toddler has to rear face until at least 2, preferably longer (recommended to 4). Check out Car Seats for the Littles on Facebook for some really good help, certified techs will comment on your questions/pictures and give you good recommendations on seats for every budget.
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  • My oldest were 14 months apart.  We drove a Pilot I had them separated, one each side of the bench seat. 
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  • thanks for the replies! It's helpful knowing what works in real situations and real life! We had a tech install our infant car seat and convertible car seat and will go that route again (we have the manuals, but they are overwhelming!) My husband watched both times and learned from the pro so that if we were ever in a situation that we needed to install them ourselves we would have it down. Based upon the feedback, I think we'll go with one behind the driver, one behind the passenger. My son doesn't have the "gentle" concept down yet, so that will avoid some of the temptation of helping out his younger sibling.
  • Order of safety is center, behind driver, then behind passenger. 
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    DD {6.13.10} & DS {5.19.12}
  • If you can get a good install on the seats, ideally you would put new baby in center, and toddler on the side. Also, your toddler has to rear face until at least 2, preferably longer (recommended to 4). Check out Car Seats for the Littles on Facebook for some really good help, certified techs will comment on your questions/pictures and give you good recommendations on seats for every budget.
    I use that FB page too and they are really helpful.  When I asked that question they did say put the least protected child in the middle.  My son is almost 4 and forward facing, so he will stay in the middle.  Any child that is forward facing should be in the middle.  The infant seat will be on the side.  Since both of your children are rear facing, I'm sure you could do either, but once your oldest one is FF, the best place is in the middle.  
    PPD/PPA Mom...it has been super hard, but I'm making it! Slow steps...
    Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).  
    Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!


  • I think we're looking at rear facing until kindergarten! We just moved to the 2% for weight and height! He has a long way to go before he outgrows any of the recommendations.
  • We have 2 in RFing seats right now. We have my DD in the center and my DS is on the passenger side. I did this so that my oldest can get into her seat herself and so I could fit a 3rd body back there. Also, my sons Foonf will not fit behind my seat. It's a beast. The safest place is wherever you can install and use the seats correctly 100% of the time. Not just the center or behind the driver or whatnot. Also, many cars cannot do center installs.
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  • @Irachelle80 that's actually not true.  Infant buckets and rear facing convertibles are equally safe so if you have two rear facers, the younger of the children is the least protected since they have the more fragile spine.  But when one turns forward facing, that detail then makes the older one the least protected.
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

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