2 children: how should I install the two car seats?

Juan Carlos · Apr 9, 2008

I have a 5 year old boy and a 5 months old baby, do you know of any special recommendations on how to distribute the two car seats? I do know that the center of the car is the safest, however given the thing that we have 2 boys... what would be the best way to locate each. A million thanks!

jewlsvern · Apr 9, 2008

I have always been told to put a front facing child in the middle since it is the safest place. Since the baby is RF he could be in the outboard position.

Defrost · Apr 9, 2008

The general rule of thumb is that the "least protected child" (carseat-wise) gets the "most protected spot" (vehicle-wise). Your 5 year old is the "least protected child" since the 5 month old is rear-facing.

That said, it's not always possible to fit two carseats side-by-side. Getting a safe installation is more important than the seating location, so if the only way you can get them to fit with good installs is to put them both outboard (either side is called "outboard") then that's the best arrangement.

One side is not statistically safer than the other, so whichever is most convenient for you is fine.

Unregistered1 · Apr 9, 2008

Also, if your 5 year old is going to be poking the baby in the eyes or trying to feed him cheerios in the car, it might be best to put them BOTH outboard so you don't have to pull over to deal with a screaming and/or choking baby.

2 children: how should I install the two car seats?

Juan Carlos

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