I should install the car seat in the middle...right??

stellablue96 · January 2009

That is the suggested position correct??

Meg_Meg · January 2009

Yup.

dmogmo · January 2009

You should probably check your car manual, some models I think it needs to be on the side.

ETA: but yes, if that works in your car.

copwife08 · January 2009

that is where they are safest if you are in a side impact accident.

jenerally · January 2009

well, techinically yes.

but, er ... we installed ours on the passenger side backseat. And it's been fine. Middle is best in case of an accident, of course, but with a second one coming, we had to make due.

Sorcha16 · January 2009

You know, you've posed a wonderful question here!! Because I thought back seat, middle, rear-facing was best too...but, both of our vehicles(Toyota Corolla and Chevy Trailblazer) only have the latch system on the sides!! Argh!

Where's your latch system?

And for those of you experienced parents out there...what's your opinion of what is best? Middle w/o latch? or side w/ latch?

TIA

Roothie427 · January 2009

That is what is recomended but I put DD behind the passanger seat because it allows me to reach back to her if needed while driving. My car also has safty latches to better hold the carseat and these are only provided on the side seats and not the center.

FYI - most cars have trouble fiting a carseat in the center becaue of the design of the seats.

Marle · January 2009

It really depends on what kind of car you have. Some cars have the hump in the middle and a different belting system so in that case it is better to put it behind the "co-pilot" seat.

Heggreene · January 2009

Sorcha16:

You know, you've posed a wonderful question here!! Because I thought back seat, middle, rear-facing was best too...but, both of our vehicles(Toyota Corolla and Chevy Trailblazer) only have the latch system on the sides!! Argh!

Where's your latch system?

And for those of you experienced parents out there...what's your opinion of what is best? Middle w/o latch? or side w/ latch?

TIA

My mother in law drives a trailblazer and her's has them in the middle. Heck she bought the car from us about 2 yrs ago. I believe it's either a 02 or 03.

I drive a Mazda3 and it's has the latches in the middle.

stellablue96 · January 2009

yeah...in our car you can you the latch system on the sides or middle. so ... middle it is!

wec5473 · January 2009

Check the owner's manual of your car. It should say the safest place to install the car seat in your model car. Most that I have researched say behind the passenger seat.

But yes the middle would be the "safest" if there was a side inmpact.

vhab · January 2009

As long as your car owners manual says it is a safe place to install it. Some cars don't do well with center installations.

Sorcha16 · January 2009

you lucky middle-latchers!! I'm jealous!! But, with the economy the way it is right now(we are both in construction and could get laid off any day!)...we cannot go out and buy new vehicles.

Too bad I was completely single 3 1/2 yrs ago when I bought the Corolla and didn't in my wildest dreams think I'd be married and having a baby before I got rid of it again!!

melrrr · January 2009

Also take into account the kind of vehicle and your size--how hard/easy it will be for you to get the baby in and out of the middle. I'm tall and have a passat and will use the middle because that won't be hard for me to get to.

I don't have LATCH, but even if I did I'd still probably use the middle. the LATCH systems are no safer than a properly installed carseat without it.

check out carseatdata.org for info on different types of carseats and their placement in your vehicle make/model.

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I should install the car seat in the middle...right??

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