Which is worse: a forward-facing child in the middle of the back seat or a rear-facing child outboard? The child is about 20 mths and 25lbs (I think), the seat is a Marathon and the car is an older model with not so good side impact protection. This is in regards to my SIL. She says it's too difficult to get her DD in and out of a rfing seat with it being in the middle. She doesn't know whether it's a better idea to turn the seat ffing or move it outboard and honestly I have no idea. Is rfing always better?
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The Lesser of the Two Evils
- Thread starter MaryAnn
- Start date
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katiesmommy
Active member
Definitly FF in the middle would be worse then RF outboard. Regardless of position in the car RFing is always safer.
What she said. 
Wendy
Wendy
skaterbabs
Well-known member
:yeahthat: RF in a properly installed seat is always safer than FF in a properly installed seat; assuming the child meets the limits for both.
laurenrachey
New member
I'm not sure what type of vehicle your SIL has, but I drive a 1991 SUV...no safety features. This is my point of view...I would rather have the seat installed in the middle period. First and foremost, it is the center of the car...obvious safety perks here, distance from point of impact. But also, if it is raining, I can put him in and jump in next to the seat and shut the door. I don't have to stand in the rain buckling a child in. At 20 months, she is old enough to climb into her own carseat, which is always helpful. So you may want to mention those few ideas to her before she totally rules out RF in the middle. I would rather have DS in the middle, just because I feel like it is the absolute safest place, especially since my car is lacking in safety features. All that being said, these ladies are right RF overall is safer that FF.
jdchic3
New member
If the child is 20 months is it possible she could climb into the seat herself with it RF in the middle? We have our seats outboard and even then it's way easier to let DD climb in. If she climbed in then mom could sit next to her and buckle her in and wouldn't have the strain of physically putting a child in the seat. I remember how hard that was when we had a car and only 1 DC.
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