3 car seats in 4 passenger vehicle

Unregistered · May 6, 2008

I am expecting our 3rd child in July. We normally travel just fine in mini-van style. However, my husband drives a 4-passenger 2007 Volvo C70, and on very rare occassions (when I get stuck in a meeting at work), will need to drive our 3 children: twins: 5.5 years old, 45-lb girls in Graco Turbo High Back Boosters and a say 3 month old in rear-facing infant car seat (not purchased yet). The car does have passenger occupancy sensors in the front passenger seat. What is the best arrangement for this?

I haven't tried yet, but I would assume a rear facing infant seat in the back would either not allow for or at a minimum require the passenger seat to be pushed very far forward. Can the infant seat go in the front if this is the case? Or have one of the older children in the front (if possible)? I know this is not an ideal situation, but I would at least like to know what is best if we are confronted with this situation for the 3 mile drive home from school/daycare. Thanks.

Defrost · May 6, 2008

Even with the airbag sensor, you should not put a rear-facing carseat in front of an airbag. If you check your vehicle owner's manual, it will have more info about it.

That means one of your twins would have to ride in that position. You're right that it's definitely not an ideal situation. Generally we would say the "oldest, harnessed, forward-facing" child should go in that position, but as your older kids are in boosters, that doesn't work, either.

I would put the infant seat behind the driver, since it's a short trip and you can stand to give up some leg room, right? That way the twin in the booster in the passenger seat can have her seat pushed as far back away from the airbag/dashboard as possible, with the other twin in her booster behind.

BW1426 · May 6, 2008

I would be extremely uncomfortable having a boostered child in the front seat and I would under no circumstances put an infant in the front seat. My recommendation would be to get a harnessed seat for your twins. The nautilus is an affordable option. Or, if you are going to need a convertible seat for your infant anyways, I might look at a Radian as it rearfaces and your infant should continue to rearface until at least 2 years old, preferably to 33 pounds or so.

skaterbabs · May 6, 2008

You actually CAN fit all three kids in the back seat of the Volvo, but it will require choosing your seats carefully. You absolutely will not be able to do it with the Tubros - they are good seats but they don't "play well with others." I would suggest trying to find a pair of Britax Parkways. They puzzle VERY well with other seats, and are avilable at a reduced price now because they've been discontinued.

sirrahn · May 6, 2008

skaterbabscpst said:
You actually CAN fit all three kids in the back seat of the Volvo, but it will require choosing your seats carefully.

I'm fairly certain there are only 2 seatbelts in the the back of the C70.

Also, I agree with Debbie's arrangement. It definitely isn't ideal, but it would work in a pinch. I had to put my 4 kids in DH's Passat wagon once, and I put my oldest boostered DS up front because the MA my oldest harnessed child was in did not fit well there. He was quite a bit older (9.5) when I had to do it, but I had him use his seat backless (to put him even a couple of inches farther from the airbag) and he did just fine.

skaterbabs · May 6, 2008

I'm sorry, I had another model confused with that one.

To the OP, this vehicle may need to be a two-kid car only. If a 3rd child rides in the front, it needs to be in a forward facing harnessed seat. A boostered child can move too far forward, and at the age of your children that just isn't something you want.

3 car seats in 4 passenger vehicle

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