The joys of multiple car seats and the importance of proper placement.

Today all children’s car seats need to be in the back seat of car. Gone are the days when you could just strap them into those simple plastic infant seats with the seatbelt slipped through the bottom or top. In retrospect, those were never going to be safe! The infant seats were rudimentary and basic. No padding to speak of, just an oblong form with a thin piece of foam covered in vinyl. Simple shoulder straps that fit over the head and then snapped into a piece that came up through between the legs. Or only a strap across the middle. The seatbelt from the car slipped into slits on the top of the seat. Anyone else remember those?

Now there are so many options for car seats that it boggles the mind. Extra inserts to cradle the head of the infant, Sheep skin liners, Cloth hoods that retract so that the child’s face can be shaded, a handle that rotates to the back, front on center for ease of carrying etc. The seats come with bases that fit into the back seat and the infant carseat/carrier clicks right into them. Easily removed by pressing a release button for easy in and out use. BUT, first it needs to be aligned and the bubble in the correct orientation on the arc. If it isn’t in the correct place, Car Seat FAIL! Baby isn’t going in that car. Once the car seat is deemed properly placed and anchored. The baby is good to go.

That is all well and good for one car seat. What if you have more than one child? Okay so the toddler seat also needs to be in proper placement. For optimal use, the seats need to be on the outer seats leaving only the middle as an option if extra seating is necessary.

Option one: Getting into the middle seat. Place the infant carseat into the base. Get the toddler into the other car seat. Now, facing towards the toddler, place your left foot into the car. Next, gripping the back of the seat/headrest area, straddle around the toddler behind the driver’s seat while rotating your hips to ensure a perfect landing into the small space available for your butt. DO NOT expect to use a seatbelt for yourself. The car door needs to be closed by the driver or front seat passenger (usually the Mom)

Option two: Place the infant carseat into the base. It is much easier to attempt the middle seat landing without the toddler in the carseat. Less chance of accidental ‘crotch kicking’ with this option. Straddle the seat as above, rotate body so that you are facing forward and then sit. Toddler now needs to be coerced to get into the car seat. Once accomplished. The door is shut and the trip begins.

Whew, job well done. From the middle seat, you are unable to open the door. A) because you can’t reach it and B) it is on child lock. You are at the mercy of the front seat passenger and driver. Hope you are on good terms.

With the door open, repeat the process of twisting, contorting and turning your body until you can again straddle the toddler seat and again exit the car. Remove the infant seat from the base. If this is a short walk or visit, bring only the carseat/carrier. If this is going to be an adventure, the stroller is required. More about that in a later post.

Option three: Buy a new car with a third row option! Toddler seat in the third tow, infant seat on the passenger side. Plenty of room for a third adult or non carseat required passenger. No gymnastics required!

After going through the first 2 options for a couple of days, I think I would opt for number 3! Good luck to all you parents with more than one child and need for an extra passenger seat.