I am expecting baby #3 in Oct, and have a 5 1/2 and 4 year old. We can't afford a new car, so my question is this, is there any way you can fit three different car seats in the car's back seat? Does anyone else have their three kids in the back seat of a sedan? What kind of seats are you using? My older two are currently in a Britax Parkway booster and a Britax Regent.
Well, I did a little research and found a way to fit all three kids in the backseat in carseats. Here is our configuration: Baby in a Graco Snugride on passenger side, 4 year old in a Sunshine Kids Radian in the middle, and 6 year old in a Britax Parkway on the driver's side. It's a tight squeeze, but totally doable and sanctioned safe by my local Police inspector.
I think the safest thing to do is to take your car and the car seats to the police station and have them tell you whether it's safe or not to do what you plan to do. Somehow I don't picture three seats in the back safely but the britax ARE pretty narrow.
Just remember... saftety first!
Hi C.,
I use 3 car seats in the backseat of my '94 Toyota Camry. My 10 month old daughter rides in a rear facing Graco infant seat in the middle. I use a Cosco convertible seat for the 20 month old girl I watch, her 5 year old sister uses an Evenflo high back booster seat. The base of the infant seat is always buckled in snugly as is the toddler's seat, I put the baby in her seat before putting in the preschooler's booster. It's snug but if you take the time to install and check each seat it works fine. I haven't used the Britax seats so I don't know if they'll fit. Be sure to go to a car seat safety check with all three of your carseats well before your baby is born. Good luck.
someone posted a similare question on carseat.org
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=29506&highli...
sounds like it can be done with the right seats.
C.,
I think that it would be fine to put all three in the back. Just make sure the infant carseat is in the middle. I would suggest however going to the CHP or Police Station and having them verify that the carseats are properly installed. Its just an extra precaution-but well worth it!
Molly
My mom had a Camry and was able to get three kids in the backseat. The infant seat should ride in the middle. I would suggest buckling up the two on the outside first, then place the infant carrier in the middle. It might be snug, but as long as the seats are securely in place, its perfectly safe.
here's another place you can check:
http://boards.babycenter.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=149&...
I think it'd be awfully hard to do a 3-across with the Regent since it's such a huge seat, if you were able to sell the Regent and get something like a Sunshine Kids Radian you'd have a pretty good chance of fitting everyone in (someone on the Babycenter Car Safety Tips bulletin board fit 3 Radians in a *Corolla*!)
What year is your Camry?
Hi C.,
So, I did a little research after reading your question and the responses. You didn't mention how much your 5 1/2 yr old weighs or when she will be 6, but I found a link about the car seat laws in California that might be helpful. Basically, if you can't SAFELY fit all three seats in the back seat, you CAN put the oldest child in the front seat as long as you can turn off the passenger airbag. (if it has one.) Kirstin L is wrong that it is against the law to put any child in the front seat. There are certain circumstances where it is allowed. We had a similar issue when our family car was in the shop and we were left with the pickup as our only car for a few days. We called our good friend who is a CHP and he gave us the same info that is in the link that I'm going to put at the end of this response. I too suggest taking all three seats/boosters to the CHP or the local fire station and have them try to help you install them in the back properly. Buying a new car isn't always an option for some people. Good luck and let us know how it goes! Congrats on your soon to be born baby!
Sincerely,
L.
