2014 Sienna - 4 kids, preferably RF, all big

TraderTif

New member
We're expecting baby #4 next year, and will have a 3, 2, and 1 yr old when they're born. I try to keep them RF as long as possible - currently in Chicco key fit and 2 nextfits. But the 6m old is about to outgrow the keyfit, and the 3 yr old is a couple pounds shy of the weight limit on the nextfit.

My question, I guess, is......any recommendations on seats that can RF as long as possible for weight and height. Baby #2 is even taller/bigger than his sister and will outgrow his nextfit sooner.

And.....is it even possible to arrange 4 RF in the Sienna, and still be able to get in, lol. We currently have 1 nextfit in the third-row, driver side, with the other nextfit in the second row driver side. The keyfit is in the other second row chair, because it's simple to get around when the seat is popped out. But our kids outgrow the bucket seats by about 6m of age, or less. So I could envision a time with 4 RF convertibles....and I don't know if that could really be done in a Sienna?
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walnutgold

New member
I would say put the two oldest in the rear most bench in Graco Extend 2 Fits and put the youngest in a NextFit. Then the 1yo and newborn could go in the captains chairs.
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lgenne

New member
I would say put the two oldest in the rear most bench in Graco Extend 2 Fits and put the youngest in a NextFit. Then the 1yo and newborn could go in the captains chairs.
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This, and load kids in the 3rd row through the tailgate.
 

Keeyamah

Active member
Is this one of the ones where a Captains chair can be slide over, making an aisle to the back on the side instead of through the middle? Just wondering if that might make a good spot to corral children in rainy weather or busy parking lots while you get them loaded? I've only got two and an SUV, so I don't know.
 

walnutgold

New member
I've wondered about that - it seems really awkward to load through the back. Do people find it easier?
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When we still had our minivan we found it a lot easier. Removing headrests and just climbing into the trunck temporarily made life quite easy. Though if the 2014 Sienna is anything like the 2011, it's also possible to slide in between the kids in the way back to buckle them in. But I DO NOT reccomend trying to lean over their seats from behind. I took too many heads to the face doing that.
 

lgenne

New member
I've only had a rear facer in the 3rd row of my Odyssey a couple of times, and only one kid, and I had good access from the 2nd row, and a place to sit next to him. Granted, he was too small to climb into his own car seat at the time, so a cooperative toddler might change the equation a bit. But I still greatly preferred loading through the tailgate.
 

Dillipop

Well-known member
I've wondered about that - it seems really awkward to load through the back. Do people find it easier?
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I'll be a dissenter here. I hate loading through the hatch in my 2008 Sienna. The floor is so low that I have a hard time reaching over and I feel like I'm draped over and it's not comfortable. And I don't find there is enough space to put the child over the back row easily. Add in the fact that I'd have to clear either a stroller or Rubbermaid bin every time to do it, it's a huge hassle for me.

I love to load through the hatch in my 2012 mazda5 though. I don't have to do any contortions and keep my feet firmly on the ground to do it. And the space between swayback and ceiling is adequate to easily get a kiddo through.

How close to 4 will your oldest be when baby is born? And how close to 4 will they be when you think you'll need to move the baby to a convertible?

I'd start with 2 rfers in the 3rd row and a convertible and infant seat in the second row. Put the infant seat on the front seat while getting the other kiddos in and then attach to base.

Once you move to convertible, I'd probably forward face the oldest personally. Have them sit in the front seat while loading the other 3 and then settle the oldest in the forward facing seat on the captains chair in the center row.


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danceintherain

New member
I'll be a dissenter here. I hate loading through the hatch in my 2008 Sienna. The floor is so low that I have a hard time reaching over and I feel like I'm draped over and it's not comfortable. And I don't find there is enough space to put the child over the back row easily. Add in the fact that I'd have to clear either a stroller or Rubbermaid bin every time to do it, it's a huge hassle for me.

I love to load through the hatch in my 2012 mazda5 though. I don't have to do any contortions and keep my feet firmly on the ground to do it. And the space between swayback and ceiling is adequate to easily get a kiddo through.

How close to 4 will your oldest be when baby is born? And how close to 4 will they be when you think you'll need to move the baby to a convertible?

I'd start with 2 rfers in the 3rd row and a convertible and infant seat in the second row. Put the infant seat on the front seat while getting the other kiddos in and then attach to base.

Once you move to convertible, I'd probably forward face the oldest personally. Have them sit in the front seat while loading the other 3 and then settle the oldest in the forward facing seat on the captains chair in the center row.


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How tall are you?
(just curious because loading through the hatch may be in my future)
 

danceintherain

New member
5'5"

It's doable, I just don't find it easy or comfortable to do so.


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Thanks! I'm 5'9, which could either make it more or less convenient. I just hit my head on an airplane roof the other day...

Note to self: When minivan shopping, see how easy it is to lean over the the back seat.
 

lgenne

New member
Easier, I'm pretty sure. You'll learn quickly how not to hit your head. And presumably your taller height comes with longer arms, which means it's easier to actually buckle. I'm almost the same height as you.
 

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