The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child stays in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible. Which do you have? Integrated harness storage compartment holds unused harness straps while in the belt positioning... One-hand, 5-position adjustable headrest is easy to use and adapts for your growing child. It is a difficult vehicle to fit rear facing car seats due to limited space behind the driver and passenger seats. (You cannot use a booster seat with a lap-only seat belt.) ©2019- 2020 CarSeatsMom.Com All Rights Reserved. So all children should remain in the back seat of the car until they are driving. The seat has been tested and has met or exceeded all federal safety standards. The seat uses the SimplySafe harness adjust system, which allows you to adjust the seat using one hand. There are also nine different settings to choose from when adjusting. Thank you for the article! Not sure what to do in this situation. Car Seat Best Practices & 5-Step Seat Belt Fit Test, What does your state law say about car seats? Where would be safest to place all the kids? Would a RideSafer with a tether (4 points of contact) allow the child to sit in the center seat with at least one additional point of contact? In the most common types of crash, frontal and rear, which seating position in the back seat doesn’t really come into play. The Nautilus seat uses TrueShield protective shields for side impact protection. Of course there is no one answer as it is situation dependent; vehicle and family dynamics. Maybe it was the type of seat I chose I am not too sure. Would it be better to install my carseat (Evenflo Pivot with Sensorsafe) behind the passenger or the driver? If it fits in the car fine and the booster positions the seat belt correctly (shoulder portion mid-chest/mid-shoulder and lap portion on upper thighs and hips) then it should be fine in the center seating position. 2. There is virtually no difference between driver’s side and passenger side in crash statistics. The Slimfit is great for anybody that needs to install 3 car seats in a row, because of its narrow design. If you do, you may want to put the child who takes the longest to get buckled in on the passenger side so you are in the street with the door open for as little time as possible. Achieving this one goal reduces fatalities significantly. I’m really not looking forward to switching her around :(. But also one that is the most durable, easy to clean, and reliable option for both you and your child. It also features a one-hand, 8 positions adjustable headrest to accommodate your growing child. You can reach him at 844-421-SAFE (7233) #700. It’s another great seat for extended rear-facing as it can accommodate that mode up to 40 pounds. However; one anchor is in the middle. I have a 2 year old who is about 28-30 pounds. What if our second vehicle is only a two-seater? In reality children are very flexible and like to sit in all kinds of positions often finding criss-cross very comfortable. In other words, you won’t need to buy a booster car seat once your little one grows. Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster – Cheapest Car Seat For 3 Year Olds, 6.Chicco Nextfit Zip Convertible Car Seat – Convertible Car Seat For 3 Year Olds, 7.Chicco Myfit Harness Seat – 5 Point Harness Seat, 8. Just to be clear… where do I put my toddlers carseat and the newborn carseat for maximum safety? Is that correct? I would kindly appreciate if you put a reference to this study on your blog post. Keep in mind that these should be removed once they surpass the infant stage. Installing the rear-facing in the center seat with a lap belt is great, do not use the Lower Anchors from the outboard seats in the center. We have a testimonial (see review from Karina 5/2/17) from a family who had a 3-year-old in a 5-point harness and an older child in a RideSafer using the seat belt. Yup, sorry tweens. Secondly, you also mentioned that the most common crashes are front impact (and followed by rear-ending); it doesn’t make sense to me to have the child who is forward-facing and at a disadvantage to be on the side while the rear-facing infant is in the middle. The car seat can fit a kid with a shoulder width of 14.5 inches! Hi, I have a 7 month old, 1 year old and 3 year old. The Britax Pinnacle G1.1 ClickTight Booster Car Seat is the safest car seat for a … For instance, what kind of car do you have, what kind of car seat do you have, how tall are you and how much room is there? Should I place my child that far back? Hi! However, these shields are only beneficial in forward-facing harness and high-back booster modes. Welcome to my car seat blog! In most cars you cannot. Its DuoGuard side impact protection uses two protection layers: a rigid seat shell and an EPS foam liner around the head and torso. This one uses the SimpliSafe harness adjust system and has integrated harness storage for when using the seat in booster mode. Britax Grow With You is top-rated for its incredible safety features: an industrial-based steel-reinforced frame, 2 layers of side impact protection, SafeCell impact technology, and Britax’s patented v-shaped tether. I have 3 kids, aged 5, 3 & 1 & a baby due in a couple of weeks. I have a 2006 dodge ram and the middle backseat is a little bit shorter than the two side seats. Also he is out growing his car seat what is a good car seat to move him to w a five point harness.. Hi Amy, Yes it is safe to have him in the center rear seat as long as you can get a good install in that location. That’s where this guide comes in. the middle seat is very small and even a booster is difficult to fit. You may not publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute this material without permission. So this begs the question: You wouldn’t put your child in the front seat because it increases the risk of death by 35-46%… So why would someone risk placing the child in the outboard seat? Safer in Podunk, maybe but not in our metropolitan area.. Being in a rear-facing car seat is 5 times safer if the crash is front impact as the child’s head, neck and back are all being supported during the crash. Is there a configuration that fits better than another? eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'carseatsmom_com-leader-3','ezslot_4',625,'0','0']));Both the seat pad and the car seat cover are removable and can be run through your washing machine. Typically a question when the driver is tall. Once your child surpasses 65 pounds, they can graduate up to either booster mode. Don’t include zip code because it limits the search too much) Please have the year of your vehicle so the tech can look up your vehicle in the LATCH Manual. You can go here to find a technician near you to meet with. Safe Ride 4 Kids This one can be installed via Britax’s ClickTight LATCH method or belt path. So… when we have to put a child in the front seat our #1 goal is to make sure that we choose the child that we have the most control over where their body is going to be. I was wondering what the safety rules are regarding car seats in trucks with no back seat? Keep in mind that these should be removed once they surpass the infant stage. The shell also comes reinforced with a steel frame to maximize stability and safety too. Compared to other models, Diono Monterey also gives you the freedom to adjust its width via the back dial. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing mode, they can use the forward-facing harness up to 65 pounds and the belt-positioning booster up to 100 pounds. You can also be sure the seat is positioned correctly by using the easy-to-read bubble level indicator on the side of the seat. Is it safe at all to put the 17-month old in the 3rd row with one of the older kids. There are three different colors to choose from as well, so you’ll definitely find one that matches your car. It’s Duo guard protection includes a deep rigid shell and an EPS energy-absorbing foam. Car seat laws by state, What are Child Passenger Safety Technicians? 303 S Broadway #200-266 Let’s take a look at one of those car seats and what characteristics make it the best. Safe Travels! It’s made with soft-to-the-touch athleisure fabric to contribute to style and function. In addition, it is a 3 in 1 car seat, also considered an all-in-one car seat. The forward-facing harness can be used up to 65 pounds and booster mode can be used up to 100 pounds. I have three kids and getting ready to move seats into our truck for a trip. (Wow, that was a short post… OK I’ll give you more.). Typically the third row seat is over the rear axle of the vehicle which offers additional side-impact protection. I can see pros and cons of putting the forward facing child in the middle vs a side seat. The oldest sits in the third row unless we’re hauling a full load of gear in the back. Yes I have a question I have a 2005 Ford Taurus, I have a 2 1/2 year son he weights 40 pounds n is in a forward facing car seat is it save to have him in the middle of the back seat. If you can’t fit two seats right next to each other, you will have to use the two outside seats. Thank you for your article. I have a four year old and an almost two year old. It’s Duo guard protection includes a deep rigid shell and an EPS energy-absorbing foam. As we mentioned in the article, we lean more toward the younger child being the more vulnerable school of thought and choose to put the younger child in the middle. The base is also made of steel to ensure optimal stability and protection too. Is it the adult seat belt system that has the anchor in the middle? The safest place to put your car seat in the car (or for anyone to sit in the car) is the center of the back seat. - Keren. Last update on 2021-02-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Sometimes it’s a puzzle that needs to be solved in person. I have a 2014 model minivan with 3 rows. We are going in a 2500 Dodge Ram pickup. Just the back seat itself is safer in the case of front impact crashes. Some would say, as most collisions are forward impact, being closer to the rear of the vehicle offers slightly less protection in the event of a rear-end collision. Looking for … I’m not sure exactly what you are describing for the 3rd row anchors. Carseatsmom.Com is reader-supported. Find a local car seat technician here. Hi Lyndsey, It would really be best to visit with a local CPS (car seat) technician who can see your car and your seats and see if there is a way to configure them to all fit in the back. 1.Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1  – Safest Car Seat For 3 Year Olds, 2.Graco Slimfit 3-in-1 Car Seat – Space Saving Car Seat, 3.Diono Radian 3R Convertible Car Seat – Original 3 Seats In A Row, 4.Maxi-Cosi Pria Max 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – Top Rated Car Seats For 3-Year-Olds, 5. We would definitely recommend to keep your child rear facing at least until he’s 2 years old, preferably longer. One option would be to use a RideSafer harness vest for the 5yo in the 3rd row with a RideSafer EATAL to create an additional tether anchor for the tether strap. I might also mention that many people ex. Britax is known for going above and beyond in safety testing its seats – though all car seats on the market have to pass minimum safety standards, Britax’s seats pass even more stringent side impact tests. When your child is properly secured in their 5-point harness it prevents them from moving out of their seated position. Any other info anyone has or thoughts would be appreciated. I have a 2016 Honda Odyssey and three kiddos – almost 6, 3.5 and 10mo. We hope this information helps you make an informed choice. Unlike the Clek, this seat can be used as a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat, and a high-back (no harness) booster. Help please. It also comes with a comfortable body support pillow for your child too. The seat has undergone all federal safety tests and has met or exceeded all safety standards. It comes with five different headrest positions. With that being said, your child restraint (car seat) manufacturer might have a statement in the instructions that would state that “no other products shall be added to the seat” or something similar to that and then your actions may fall into the category of “Not using according to manufacturer instructions”. SafeCenter LATCH Installation creates peace of mind by making it easy to install the base correctly. I would love to read more about this and was wondering what data you read that supports this statement? Grandparents, pregnant women, anyone with an injury or physical limitation can find it very difficult to reach the middle seat to either place a bucket style seat in the middle or to access the buckles on a fixed carseat. Is it advised or required? For instance, we had our youngest rear facing in the middle between our two older children who are close in age and prone to arguing until said youngest child starting kicking them in the face and he had to get turned around earlier than we planned. Hey there. I looked at some of the manuals and didn’t see where it says to put it in the center seat. That is typically a non issue from a safety perspective. That is why we NEVER put a rear-facing car seat in front of an active airbag – they are by default IN the deployment zone. Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is noted to be crafted to grow with your children, from as small as 5 lbs (rear-facing) to 65 lbs (forward-facing) and 100 lbs (belt-positioning booster seat). With more safety features than you can shake a stick at and an installation process that doesn't … Sounds like something is prohibiting that placement though. My daughter is currently in the middle of the back seat, rear facing. The statistics show a front impact crash is the most common type of crash. Would you be a more distracted driver if the baby is in the 3rd row? We have a graco forever and graco extend time fit and neither will work in the center seat of either vehicle we have. And if you do place your child’s seat on one of the outside seats, please consider if you ever park on the street. The plush cushions add to the comfort factor and can be removed for easy cleaning too. Be sure to read both the seat manual and the car manual just to make sure it doesn’t say anything differently in there. Buying a new car that will accommodate multiple car seats/boosters/adults in back… well, that’s really hard! The MyFit is a good seat because it can accommodate in forward-facing harness mode from 25 pounds to 65 pounds and booster mode from 40 pounds to 100 pounds. That’s going to be a parental choice. (I would suggest only searching by city and state. three days a week we drop off another child aged 3 and a bit. During testing, the seat went through tests at peak crash force, which is roughly 2 times more than typical testing. (We have no idea of pre-crash condition of all occupants or the specifics of the crash so their experience is no indication of what anyone else’s will be.). Thanks. It has a three-position recline for comfort and safety as well as easily removable and machine-washable fabric. It can be used in three different positions: rear-facing and front-facing harness, as well as a high-back booster. Read our Privacy Policy (see link at bottom of page). There is no definitive answer as to which one would be recommended and there are probably multiple opinions on the topic but I would probably put the 3 year old up there. After all 3 out of 4 of all car seats are being used incorrectly and 93% of newborns are in their car seats with critical errors. I need help on what to do. The Britax ClickTight car seats don't have traditional lock-offs, but the pressure of the seat bottom closure acts as a lock-off and prevents the car seat from sliding back and forth on the vehicle belt, something we often see in … Should I put them in a bucket seat or all the way in the back? Thank you. It’s equipped with LATCH technology for safe and easy installation and has four different recline positions for comfort. 4 – 35 lbs., up to 32 inches. All fabric components of this seat are machine-washable. When installing via belt path, the seat uses the LockSure belt system to ensure a tight fit. Hi Stacey, That’s wonderful they are all still rear facing. This is VERY dangerous. So the middle of the rear seat is the ideal position. So, until car’s no longer allow us to crash, we have to apply these principles: The #1 goal of all restraints is to keep the occupants in the passenger compartment. Once your child reaches the recommended height and weight requirement, they can then move up to a booster seat that works with your car seat belts. Last update on 2021-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. This seat can be used up to 10 years after the date of manufacture. Hello Lee. This is really nice because rear-facing is proven to be the safest position for children and this seat can do that well after your child turns 3. I want to do whatever is safest. The Radian also comes LATCH-equipped, but with a superior model of LATCH technology. One4Life takes your child from birth to big kid with Britax Safety and ClickTight Installation. These cupholders can also be positioned flat if you need extra space in your car. What do you think? There are nine different headrest settings and a four-position recline for comfort. The newborn will be in a maxicosi cabriofix, not isofix. Find a Local CPS Tech, Click here to get more information about the RideSafer Travel Vest. In most cars it’s not allowed and the lap belt is just as easy to use for installation. #2 priority is to spread the restraining forces (the force of deceleration) across the strongest parts of the body and #3 to spread those forces over a wide body surface area which reduces injury. Is it the seat not fitting in the space? Slim design with dual integrated cup holders that rotate away, making the seat 10% slimmer to save... Graco ProtectPlus Engineered: A combination of the most rigorous crash tests that helps to protect... JOY OF THE JOURNEY: From birth, keep your little one rear-facing longer to 40 lbs., and as they grow... THREES NOT A CROWD: For safety that fits 3 across the Radian 3R packs all our innovative safety... LOVINGLY ENGINEERED: The Radian 3R is built with automotive-strength steel, engineered into a dual... 3 in 1 seating system: Rear facing, from 4 40 pounds; forward facing to 65 pounds; and upto 100... Side impact protection with cell protects your child's head where it's needed most in a side impact... Clique auto magnetic chest clip gets you on your way quickly, 3-in-1 harness booster helps protect your child, from toddler to youth. She started to forward face him because she thinks his legs were hurting not being able to stretch his legs. rear or forward facing? Which side? And it can often be the case when parents have two car seats, they won’t fit side by side, one in the center and one on the side. Read on for the … The back seat is the safer place to ride in the car for anyone. In order to provide you with some perspective… During the certification process the “3 year old 30lb” crash test dummy is used. Here we’ll be examining those vital features a bit more in-depth. Follow the link on this page to find one near you. Britax Dualfix i-size, £430. Keep in mind that you are going to want to choose the most durable car seat (or combination seat) that is sure to be able to grow with your child and also last as long as they are going to need it for as well. Without knowing age of the oldest or what type of car seat (5-point harness? For safety, is there a best seat to put the forward facing carseat? Hi I have a 3 year old baby and he is 40 lbs can I place his front facing car seat in the middle seat at the back and mine is a sedan model car .please do help. Installing the infant seat without the base needs to pass the same crash tests as installing it with the base so it should be just as safe. Once your child surpasses 40 pounds, they can forward face until 85 pounds and use the booster until 100 pounds. Stay-put, soft comfort pads keep your child’s neck from rubbing against the harness strap. The best car seat for 3 years old is the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster because it can be used as a forward-facing, harness, high-back booster, and backless booster. 4. It has a stronger steel frame and comes in three different color options as well. or booster?) (I know center-rear facing would be the best, but I can’t find a car seat that will accommodate my husband’s long legs and the rear-facing car seat). Copyright 2015 Safe Ride 4 Kids. This 2-in-1 car seat’s secret is that it is capable of up to 11 headrest positions. Of all the seats on our list, this one comes out with the lowest price. The older child was the only person in the car that did not require medical care. Booster seats are created to raise your child up so that they are able to sit high up enough where your vehicle’s seat belt will strap them in properly (across both the shoulder and the lap). You’ll need to check with the manufacturer for your car seat. I can forward face her in the middle of the back seat. Yes, as CPS technicians, we will step into the conversation. This seat can be used up until 8 years after the date of manufacture. All Britax seats are designed and built in the USA. Hi. Put an older forward-facing child, assuming the older child is forward facing, in the center seat since rear-facing children are inherently 5 times safer in their rear-facing seat. Out first set are 4 yrs old. Even if you do not permit your child to have food, drinks or snacks in your vehicle, messes still happen! We park pretty much exclusively on the street and I paralell park from either side, so there is no way to tell which side will be facing the street. Many times you cannot use one lower anchor from each side to install a car seat using LATCH in the center. The harness is padded and doesn’t require any rethreading and when used in booster mode, there are helpful belt guides for a proper fit. Thank you for sharing this resource. The 6yo will soon outgrow her rear facing seat and need to be forward facing. Can the car seat fit behind the driver? It is certified for children starting at 3 years old. If you cannot get a proper install with the infant seat in the center seating position, it is certainly appropriate to put it on one of the side positions and put the forward-facing car seat in the center, assuming they will fit next to each other. It is true that studies have shown forward facing children are more likely to incur leg injuries. If the seats in your vehicle are high enough, you can most certainly opt for investing in a backless booster seat and, more often than not, your existing headrest can offer plenty of support as well. The seat has been tested and has met or exceeded all federal safety standards. We recommend checking some out of the store and trying them in your car. When selecting your car seat, it needs to fit your child, fit your car and be easy for you to install correctly. Is it safe to use a tether that is angled to the center anchor point rather than straight down. The. The difference between the drivers side rear seat and the passenger side rear seat is minimal (only a percentage point or two and it tends to switch from year to year); one is not considered safer than the other. I how do I find out what is safest? The easy-to-read level indicator makes installation easier, This seat is an updated version from Britax Frontier Clicktight that was retired in 2020. I have a Chevy surburban with bucket seat. 4 Recline Positions, Transforms from Rear to Foward-Facing/Booster, Last update on 2021-02-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. #3 spread the restraining force over as much surface area as possible… The “textbook” answer to your question is “use the restraint that fits your child, fits your car and that you will use correctly every time…” In the end, its a parental choice. I have 2 young children that I want in the safest spots in my minivan. I need your advice, please! The plush cushions add to the comfort factor and can be removed for easy cleaning too. You can test if it fits properly with the base to make the base or no base decision. Im hoping you can help. There are most certainly a number of things that you will want to consider when it comes to choosing the perfect car seat for your 3-year-old to meet the needs of your child, who is ready to move from rear-facing to forward-facing. Those factors are durability, ease of cleaning, and, of course, safety. Hope this helps ease your mind and make an informed choice. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. It starts by keeping kids securely in a 5-point safety harness all the way up to 65 pounds. I do have access to academic papers, which is the level of source I am seeking on this subject; any good articles or publications you would refer me to to? The fabric can be zipped off and run through your washer and dryer. HELP!!!!! It sounds like you are asking about the RideSafer for your 2 year old? It comes in a variety of colors and has open-loop belt guides to help position the vehicle’s seat belt properly. What if all 3 children have made it and i am pregnant with twins? We first started using the RideSafer as parents 6 years ago when our 3rd child was born. The center rear seat is considered the safest spot to put your child in the car seat as long as you can get a correct install in that seating position. Also the rear 3 seats fold down and you access them through the middle row passenger side seat. If you are shopping, go to a local store with car seats and ask to take them out to see if they’ll fit in your car. It does put your child closer to a rear impact crash; though there is usually at least some trunk space to take some of the crash energy. Are there enough seat belts to properly install the car seats? Thanks! In which case the center seat would be safer. First, subtle hint: Conrad (a guy’s name) says he’s “pregnant with twins.” Wink, wink… ;-), That would be my guess as well but you would be amazed by the really crazy, and serious, questions we are asked. When uses in either booster mode, there are helpful belt loop guides to ensure the best fit. Both the seat pad and harness covers are removable and machine-washable and the cupholders can be removed as well. My friend had an issue with her 2 year old with the rear facing he is tall and his legs are long. This Maxi Cosi 3-in-1 seat is perfect if you want to practice extended rear-facing. May I have the pediatrics article citation? Everyone is still rear facing and sit three across in the middle row. This applies to center position as well as most car seats are so wide that in the center position you would have to push both front seats forward to achieve the correct recline on the car seat. If you do park on the street often, you may want to think about putting the car seat on the passenger side so you are on not in the street putting your child in the car seat. Put the newborn in the center rear seating position as the baby is the most vulnerable in a crash. Without all of the information it’s hard to say what would be the best options. That depends. You are welcome to call so we can get into more details about your car seats and family or visit with a local CPS technician. The good: The Radian can rear-face up to 45 … By Amie Durocher, Creative Director at Safe Ride 4 Kids and certified CPS Tech since 2004. This in turn makes the tightening of the harness extremely difficult and often will result in the harness feeling snug when it’s not, only to find it loose … 1. The majority of crashes are frontal impact crashes. The two year old is in a Diono and 4 year old is in a Britax. However, we are planning to have another child and I didn’t know if I could put two car seats in the front of a truck if I had to, or if even the one was okay? between the point of impact and the third row seat where your child is. Can you point me to the research? It also features a one-hand, 8 positions adjustable headrest to accommodate your growing child. This one comes with five different adjustable headrest positions and is easy to get in and out of when in forward-facing harness mode.It also comes with a comfortable body support pillow for your child too. And will I somehow have to secure all the stuff in the boot? On top of this, there are also two integrated cupholders to hold snacks and drinks on long car rides. It’s considered an all-in-one seat but works well for toddlers/preschoolers because it allows rear-facing up to 50 pounds. Is it safe to put it behind the passenger seat? HELP IM CONFUSED. My child’s preschool is asking that carseats be placed in right rear as that is safer for the child.