Vehicle Suggestion? First Time Parents. Bad Lower Backs

hr7

New member
Hi Both myself and my spouse have bad lower back (surgeries etc).

We are expecting and I am wondering what type of vehicle (SUV/MiniVan/Wagon etc) would make the infant carrier/baby seats most accessible. Where we could easily pickup the carrier without straining our backs?
 
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ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Honestly, a small car, wagon, or sedan is easiest for loading, in my experience. SUVs and vans (especially SUVs) are by nature higher. I'd look at cars instead if you don't already have one. :)
 

Guest

New member
I have lower back problems. I found a minivan to be the easiest by far. Because it was higher, I didn't have to stoop like with a sedan/wagon. Unlike a SUV, with regular (ie small) car door openings, I didn't have to contort as much. When the kid was a newborn and only weighed 10 lb ish, it wasn't a big deal. As they hit the limit of the infant car seat (20-30 lbs), that's when my back started feeling it. If your back is healthy, I'm sure it's much less noticeable, but I sure noticed.
 

lgenne

New member
On the other hand, you might want to consider skipping the infant bucket and going straight to a rear facing convertible. Wearing infants is generally easier on the back than dealing with infant seats. Minivans and SUVs make it easier to get them in and out then.
 

featherhead

Well-known member
I'm almost 5'8" and loading in a car hurts my back because of the bending over. With a van I just lean in a bit if I need to.
 

Persimmon

Active member
Hope you find something that works for your backs. Maybe you could do a test run with different vehicles and a sack of potatoes or something with weight. That aught to entertain the car salesperson. Thinking ahead, one thing that helped my bad upper back was to have DS climb into the car himself even when he needed help--like around 18 months. He would need help climbing into my forester and then help climbing up onto the vehicle seat, but it was easier on my back than bending over and loading him in. Not sure if that is the same with lower back issues, but it did cut down on the resistance to getting into the car seat that can happen as they get older.
 

MelodyoftheForest

Active member
I found having the infant seat or convertible in the center very helpful with a sedan or other lower car. That way I could put the infant seat on the outboard seat, rearrange myself, then move the seat in the base. For a convertible, it is even easier. Just sit down with the child on your lap then transfer to the convertible. Having low sides like a Radian or Graco Milestone would be helpful there too.
 

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