Car Seat Insallation

kitandcat · April 2016

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

I installed car seat bases in both our cars, a 2013 Hyundai Sonata and a 2015 Ford Explorer, a few weeks ago. When I called the fire department to set up an appt to check them, she asked me where I had installed.... I did behind the passenger seat so that we could use the latch system. She told me it'd be best to reinstall in the center because it's safest. I read up on it and found the statistically it is a lot safer to use the center. I tried to reinstall them last night in the center of both vehicles- and I have to use the belt not the latch system- and it just didn't work at all. My car seat has this thing where the bubble has to be centered and in the Hyundai I couldn't get it to be the right angle, and in the Ford I was able to get it at the right angle but it just seemed so unsafe with just the seat belt?! I feel like it's way more stable and barely moves with the latch and with the belt I can't get it to be tight/stable enough. I really don't think I was doing anything incorrectly with the belt, it just feels like the car seat doesn't fit right in the tiny little center seat. But I want LO to be safest !!!??

Anyone else having this issue or deciding to do the side instead of center because of this?

emma+karen · April 2016

DS was always on the passenger side. My car also didn't have the LATCH system in the center and I didn't trust myself to do it right with the belt. We also needed to have room for the dog when driving to my parents'. Now that we're about to have 2, they are one on either side. I know center is safest in an accident, but I'm also confident that our car seats have high safety ratings (as do our vehicles) and center installation just doesn't work for us. There is so much other stuff to stress about, I don't stress over this. I'll take them to get checked at the police station, but other than that, I'm checking it off my list!

dshannah · April 2016

It seems like there is substantially less risk of injury if the child is in the center, but that the passenger seat position is still safe--these car seats are really amazing. And they are all side-impact rated. I did a bit of quick research and all the studies included a caveat that all positions were safe, but the center was the safest.

I think the key factor is whether the base fits securely enough in whichever seat you put it in: that decreased risk of injury is only applicable if the car seat is securely installed. If it's wiggling more than an inch from side to side in the center, you've just lost all the safety benefits.

I don't know what we'll do--probably whatever the fire department tells us when we actually see them.

proudparent2b · April 2016

It's not an issue in my vehicle because there's no middle seat in the second row. We chose to put the car seat on the driver's side because the majority of trips with LO will be to/from daycare.

Honestly I'd still stick to one side or the other regardless because it seems like it'd be pretty difficult to get LO in and out from the center seat.

I'm surprised that they didn't just schedule the appointment with you regardless. When my husband got it installed for our minivan, the specialist took it out and reinstalled it anyway because my husband had set the car seat up incorrectly. I'd think they'd do the same with yours, not just look at it and pass or fail your efforts and tell you to try again.

Knottie1433777995 · April 2016

We haven't installed ours yet, so I'm not sure about not being able to put it in the center. But I do know that the center is the safest seat, with the seat on the drivers side being the second safest. So if you can't use the center seat, I would do it there. But I would recommend finding a car seat tech in your area to attempt the center seat first. We found a car seat tech who will come to us for $50 to install our car seat and teach us how to do it. While some fire men are car seat techs, many aren't so make sure you get that clarified before going up to the fire station to have it checked.

dsmith211 · April 2016

My car manufacturer actually recommends NOT doing it in the center in our owners manual.

A. Bc you can't use the latch.
B. Even using the belt, most people cannot get a good fit in the center bc the bump in the center of the seat is too narrow for most seats and doesn't allow it to sit flat.

Honestly I would just do the side. If you can get a secure fit in the middle then great, but the best place is always where your seat is the most secure.

Astraphobic · April 2016

The fire department here was wonderful and helped my husband with our first base even adding padding (pool noodles!) to make it secure. They may be able to help if you want it somewhere else in the car that does not feel as secure with you putting it in yourself.

slfezz · April 2016

I have 2011 sonata and was able to get a base unit in the center using the interior latch anchors for the normal seats for my first. The middle seat is narrow enough that the latch anchors were still in the correct position. You just can't use the latch system for any other rear seat since each anchor can only be attached to one thing.

For the angle, I think we also just used a folded up towel under our base. Chopped up pool noddles also work really well. Just make sure you really push down on the base when tightening the straps to make sure anything you put below is compressed to the max.

balamama · April 2016

dsmith211 said:

My car manufacturer actually recommends NOT doing it in the center in our owners manual.

A. Bc you can't use the latch.
B. Even using the belt, most people cannot get a good fit in the center bc the bump in the center of the seat is too narrow for most seats and doesn't allow it to sit flat.

Honestly I would just do the side. If you can get a secure fit in the middle then great, but the best place is always where your seat is the most secure.

This. Did you consult the manuals for your cars? My car seat recommended a center seat installation but first defers to the car manual. It may be that you don't get the safest installation in the center in those particular cars, in which case, passenger side is safest.

balamama · April 2016

Also, (tangentially related) bc of the advice of this board, after we installed our car seat I confidently told DH to go to the fire dept to get the seat checked. He shows up and the firemen are like "WTF? We don't do that here. But if you want we can take a look but it'll just be like you asking a random stranger on the street to check your installation." So he was borderline humiliated and I had a laugh. Guess I should have checked whether our city FD actually does that kind of thing! Sorry husband!

folamij · April 2016

We have ours installed in the center. Our latch system isn't available for the center so we had to use the seat belt. Our car seat has a lock to keep the seat belt in place, which is nice. I really would recommend making an appointment and having them installed at your local fire station or ems. We had trouble with our balance toggle as well and the lady was able to position correctly to get the bubble in the proper place. Best of luck!

Edited to add: echoing what a pp said, make sure the ems or fire station is certified in care seat inspection. Google is where I found my closest station.

rlworzalla · April 2016

I wasn't aware it was recommended to get it checked somewhere? We don't have anyone at our police or fire stations that is certified to check and there are no centers locally that can check either (it was asked at our labor classes). I had always seen children behind the passenger seat, because there's a headrest for the mirror to check on them and if I pull over I can easily access LO.

jenashawn · April 2016

I drive a Nissan Cube and there are no latches in the center either. I installed the car seat behind the passenger seat, and had it checked out at the local police station. (The car seat checks are at police stations here instead of fire stations) It checked out fine. I'm like you and was more comfortable having it installed with the latches. And in my husbands car (a buick enclave) there is no center seat in the 2nd row, so it HAD to be behind passenger seat. I'm sure it's fine.

swflJD · April 2016

When I installed our car seat in my vehicle, the only place it would fit was in the center seat. I have a small SUV (Mercedes GLK350), and it wouldn't even fit behind the driver's seat or passenger seat without pushing the seats really far forward. DH has a full sized Chevrolet truck with huge a crew cab, so even though we haven't installed the car seat in his truck yet, it shouldn't be an issue in that vehicle. I plan to take my car by our local sheriff's office sometime next week for them to do a safety check. I don't think our fire department does safety checks, but the sheriff's office website says they hold monthly safety events that you can bring it to or you can call ahead and they will have someone available to check it for you if you come by. If your local police or fire departments don't do safety checks, try Babies R US if you have one near you. I know ours does all kinds of classes (new parents 101, infant CPR, breastfeeding basics, etc.) and events (car seat safety checks, photo sessions, etc.), and most are free or only a nominal charge.

JoMunson · April 2016

We have a mini van so his "official" seat is on the passenger side, but the base that's going in my smaller car is going in the middle.

thismakes4 · April 2016

I guess my biggest problem is that I'll have 4 kids in boosters/car seats. They can't all sit in the middle!

proudparent2b · April 2016

For those trying to figure out where to get your car seat inspected, try checking your city or town's website.

Where I live, it can be done at select fire houses and police stations. You simply call or e-mail the contact person for the service and they assign you an appointment with a tech to assist.

nerdymama15 · April 2016

While the middle is the safest, you also have to work with what you have or buy a new vehicle that cooperates. My husband has an old Mercedes C Class that is over twenty some years old. We installed our car seat on the back passenger side b/c it will not fit in the middle. As it is, the passenger front seat has to be pushed all the way into the dashboard for the baby seat to even fit back there. If we put it in the middle then both front seats would be in the dashboard. You have to do what works for your vehicle.

nerdymama15 · April 2016

swflJD said:

When I installed our car seat in my vehicle, the only place it would fit was in the center seat. I have a small SUV (Mercedes GLK350), and it wouldn't even fit behind the driver's seat or passenger seat without pushing the seats really far forward. DH has a full sized Chevrolet truck with huge a crew cab, so even though we haven't installed the car seat in his truck yet, it shouldn't be an issue in that vehicle. I plan to take my car by our local sheriff's office sometime next week for them to do a safety check. I don't think our fire department does safety checks, but the sheriff's office website says they hold monthly safety events that you can bring it to or you can call ahead and they will have someone available to check it for you if you come by. If your local police or fire departments don't do safety checks, try Babies R US if you have one near you. I know ours does all kinds of classes (new parents 101, infant CPR, breastfeeding basics, etc.) and events (car seat safety checks, photo sessions, etc.), and most are free or only a nominal charge.

It must be a Mercedes thing. We had the opposite problem though, we can't fit ours in the middle without having to push both front seats up into the dashboard. So right now the passenger side is up in the dashboard lol

kami09 · April 2016

dsmith211 said:

B. Even using the belt, most people cannot get a good fit in the center bc the bump in the center of the seat is too narrow for most seats and doesn't allow it to sit flat.

Yep...this was our problem with DS. I had a 2014 Honda Civic (hate that effing car lol) but the center bump was so high that the first time we rode with him in the seat, it was loose by the time we got home. I was pissed. We moved it to the passenger side right away and never had another problem.

bookelf221 · April 2016

We installed ours a couple weeks ago because our local hospital was having a baby festival with everything about babies (it was awesome) and the police officer said that center is best but it really is more important that your seat doesn't move. She DID say however, depending on the age of your car to check the manual to see if they say anything about car seat placement because of the side impact air bags. Ours is a 2015 CRV so the manual said any place in the back seat is safe (it was under either airbags or safety I don't remember which). She had also said that it is more important that the seat is installed correctly than whether it's in the center or not.

mrstmoose · April 2016

All I did was google our town and car seat inspections and it directed me to the local police department. Google is your friend to find where you can get it checked!

lalala2004 · April 2016

My hospital offers free checks monthly on a certain day. Just went today! Worth checking with your hospital to see if they offer services like that. It was very helpful and informative, even though I had already done a lot of research. We practiced with a baby doll and it really made me feel confident about car seat safety.

missnc77 · April 2016

The local hospitals here check car seats. My husband took my car in this morning to get it checked out, and they also said that the middle is the best. But my husband is 6'4, so if we put it in the middle, he will be knees in the dash.

camillaandcarson · April 2016

We did the car seat check today too. Highly recommend going up there and letting them do it for you. The middle is best but in our car 2 car seats (toddler) do not fit correctly so we have one child on each side and hardly any space in the middle of the car. Previously LO was in the middle and I had room on both sides for things. I feel like I lost my entire car back there to car seats. But I do feel confident my kids are safe which is the only thing that matters. I wish I could just install both seats in the middle to be safest but that did not work with my car. I did notice the side seemed more stable, which helped me feel better about the side situation for both kids.

As for getting it checked most fire departments offer a person who can do this. Call ahead and find out the name for the person so you can schedule.

NB817 · April 2016

I'm actually shocked that your cars don't have the latch system in the center! When I had DD in 2012 MH and I drove a 2009 Acura TL and a 2011 Toyota Camry and both had latch systems in the center seat.
That being said every car is different for where they recommend to put a baby seat. So please check your car manual. But I would certainly use a place where it latches. Also some towns around us you can go to fire station to have it installed and some have it a police stations and have a designated person who does this and you need an appointment. But definitely have them do it and show you. MH thought he knew how and we didn't need to but guess what he did it wrong so I'm always glad we went and they showed him the correct way to install it.

lalala2004 · April 2016

@NB817 the lady who did our car seat check said that by law, they are only required to put in two, so they generally do it in either side. Car manufacturers that put it more are just going the extra mile. She did say, however, that using the seat belt is equally safe, so it's better to put it in the middle even if it doesn't have an anchor there. Just FYI to anyone making that decision. The anchor just makes it a lot easier to install!

TinaTho · April 2016

To settle an argument, is there anyone who doesn't feel it's necessary to get a safety check? DH is pushing back on coming to the check appointment with me, we have two bases for the infant carrier .... I've pretty much told him if he doesn't come he isn't allowed to remove the base from our jeep or to take her in his car. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he can follow instructions but I don't agree with skipping an extra service that is free.

NB817 · April 2016

@TinaTho you are 100% right. Why risk it when it's free. I don't know why men are so stubborn about such things. Ugh.

lalala2004 · April 2016

@TinaTho honestly when we had ours checked, they said he had actually done a great job installing it. what was
valuable information, however, was
everything else: How to change the straps and best practice for buckling baby in. It was a lot of information I didn't know, so even though he installed our seat just fine, I'm very glad I went! But I was able to relay all of that information to my DH, so I don't think you would necessarily both have to go. My mom went with me, which was
good as she bought a base for her car as well and will be watching him a few times a week when I go back to work part time.

Jparke2 · April 2016

This is all making me so anxious! I'm being induced a week from today and basically the only job I've given my husband was to schedule us to get our car seat installed by the fire department. The car seat is still in a box in the basement, no appointment has been made, and I'm freaking out!

kbrands7 · April 2016

@TinaTho I agree with @lalala2004. Having the check done for peace of mind was great, but we got so much more information than that which was invaluable -- safe buckling practices, how to disassemble/reassemble for washing, tips for quick and safe reinstallion or adjustments, general kid/car/carrier safety, etc. We didn't do a check this time (reusing DS's infant seat because it doesn't expire for another 2yrs) but each new seat/new type of seat we've gotten, we have had checked at our local police station so that we feel confident using the seat correctly.

TinaTho · April 2016

@NB817 @lalala2004 @kbrands7
Thanks for the responses, I'll definitely go. We'll see if I can get him to come around - but no matter what at least I'll hear the info.

emma+karen · April 2016

@jparke2 Have you told him that the hospital won't let you leave without it installed? That might light a fire under his butt!

Dasha420 · April 2016

While the middle is the safest- not all cars and car seats are compatible with one another. It's ok if it's installed on one of the passenger sides as long as there is a hands width of space between the back of the seat and the car seat. Meaning the front seats can't be touching the car seat.

Also, car manuals have info regarding car seat installations. As well as the car seat itself. You can check both to compare notes.

I had mine installed by a police officer that is running a free installation program in the city. I know there are stores that provide assistance as well. Look into it. Call around and even check out some YouTube videos.

Jparke2 · April 2016

emma+karen said:

@jparke2 Have you told him that the hospital won't let you leave without it installed? That might light a fire under his butt!

Yes, I had told him! Luckily he made an appointment for today for us to get it inspected/installed correctly! Whew!

lizChesnut · April 2016

I feel like I'm missing something. All the babies I've had in my life, we've moved carseats from car to car. It was never a problem, now that I'm having my own I keep hearing about the "installation" of a car seat. It basically just buckles in... now I'm worried I've been doing wrong my whole life? Or maybe just being more familiar with them gives me a different feel? I totally get that for safety reasons wanting to make 100% sure that baby is as safe as possible.
Now I might go by the firehouse to doublw check it's as easy as I think it is. (Make sure I'm not doing it all wrong!). Cause I think I have that husband mindset where we got it and it's all good. But I don't want to be over confident and put baby in danger!

Dasha420 · April 2016

@lizChesnut you most likely aren't doing anything wrong. With my sister about nine years ago we did it ourselves. I think this is a new thing to have it checked by an "official"

Jparke2 · April 2016

lizChesnut said:

I feel like I'm missing something. All the babies I've had in my life, we've moved carseats from car to car. It was never a problem, now that I'm having my own I keep hearing about the "installation" of a car seat. It basically just buckles in... now I'm worried I've been doing wrong my whole life? Or maybe just being more familiar with them gives me a different feel? I totally get that for safety reasons wanting to make 100% sure that baby is as safe as possible.
Now I might go by the firehouse to doublw check it's as easy as I think it is. (Make sure I'm not doing it all wrong!). Cause I think I have that husband mindset where we got it and it's all good. But I don't want to be over confident and put baby in danger!

Its recommended because so many people do put it in wrong or put their babies in wrong. My husband installed everything, per the firehouse's directions, before we went over for our appointment, and he had done everything correctly. But where it was helpful for us, as first time parents, was all the tips and tricks they showed us. Sure, I could have read the manual and probably have been fine, but having somebody explain to me how everything adjusts, when to move the straps up for baby's size, important manufacturer instructions for upkeep, etc. was super awesome. She also was able to tell us some things, based on her experience of doing this ALL THE TIME, that we wouldn't have learned from the manual. We had some questions about whether our seat was secure enough, and she showed us a cool trick to get everything a little tighter. I'm sure you are good just based on your experience, but for us it was really reassuring just to have a professional look it all over and tell us we were good to go!

khochanadel · May 2016

TinaTho said:

To settle an argument, is there anyone who doesn't feel it's necessary to get a safety check? DH is pushing back on coming to the check appointment with me, we have two bases for the infant carrier .... I've pretty much told him if he doesn't come he isn't allowed to remove the base from our jeep or to take her in his car. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he can follow instructions but I don't agree with skipping an extra service that is free.

I was on the fence about this, too. Mostly because the next available appointment we could get for an installation check is in JUNE. Our babies were born 2 weeks ago and are still in nicu but we will be taking them home before we have our appointment. We watched some YouTube videos and followed the manual so hopefully everything is good until June! Not like we'll be taking them cross country for a good long while.

Naturally, with twins, we avoided the whole center seat debate.

JoMunson · May 2016

khochanadel said:

TinaTho said:

To settle an argument, is there anyone who doesn't feel it's necessary to get a safety check? DH is pushing back on coming to the check appointment with me, we have two bases for the infant carrier .... I've pretty much told him if he doesn't come he isn't allowed to remove the base from our jeep or to take her in his car. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he can follow instructions but I don't agree with skipping an extra service that is free.

I was on the fence about this, too. Mostly because the next available appointment we could get for an installation check is in JUNE. Our babies were born 2 weeks ago and are still in nicu but we will be taking them home before we have our appointment. We watched some YouTube videos and followed the manual so hopefully everything is good until June! Not like we'll be taking them cross country for a good long while.

Naturally, with twins, we avoided the whole center seat debate.

I'm sure that we WILL eventually go, but in our town they do drop in clinics once a month and we weren't ready last time (we just got the car seat and both bases installed). I trust my husband got it in right and even shook the bases violently to make sure they were right. My BIL installed them when his kid had them so when they visit I'll have him look at them too.

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