Carseat Help

[djasinski]

This may sound crazy but I need some advise. I drive a Vibe which is actually very roomy. I have a toddler carseat (with a back and arm rests) and a infant carseat which has a base and faces backwards. I tried putting the infant seat in the middle and the toddler seat behind the passenger seat BUT it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get my toddler buckled in. Then I tried to put the toddler seat in the middle and the infant seat behind the passenger seat but the infant carseat base is so bulky that whoever is in the passanger seat can't breath the seat is so far up plus I didn't feel like the toddler seat was well supported even though it is strapped to the car. Any advise on how to better position the seats? I really wanted the girls next to each other so that the older one could help BUT I want them to be safe more than anything. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks

[lovin3]

Sorry to say, but welcome to the joys of carseats. Go mini van! (Although, I'm still upset that I can't squeeze 3 carseats into the back row!)

[darwinsgirl16]

What's making it hard to buckle your toddler in? Do you use the seatbelt to buckle him into the seat? (we're not up to toddler seats yet so I was just curious). My only suggestion is to take both carseats, the car and kids to your local police department or rescue department. They are trained to install carseats in the safest manner possible and they need the kids to make sure that everything is good to go. Good luck!

[lena241]

Its a sticky situation. My solution a Mini Van, however I know this isnt an option for everyone. My DH drives our old status now, we put one seat by each door. I put the baby on the passenger side, so we can see and reach it, and the toddler behind the drivers seat, as they need less assistance in the car.

I tried putting them together but it was crampy and the toddler kept messing with the baby, even though she thought she was helping. It was more frustration than it was worth really!

[djasinski]

to darwingirl16: the toddler seat does NOT strap to the car you just use the regular seat belt over the chid. I can't get it buckled because it is next to the infant seat base which is bulky and blocks the buckle. Which makes me wonder- is the infant seat base worth it. Today I bought a "non skid" pad to go under my toddler seat and I am going to try to put the toddler seat back in the middle and the infant seat behind the passenger seat and see what happens

[myboysmom]

Oh, you haven't been using a base!!?? Yeah, it's worth it, just for the getting the seat in and out of the car! How old is your baby? I don't know if the base will make it any less bulky, though. Oh, and I posted a different response to you in the Gear and Essentials forum.

[djasinski]

to myboysmom: I am having the baby next week! So I haven't actually used the base yet but I have it in the car- trying to get my 2 yr old use to the idea of sissy sitting next to her.

[lovin3]

Do you have one of the bulkier convertible seats? Not that you would want to buy another carseat, but Graco's booster seats (back and backless option) are slimmer than seats that go from infancy through preschool aged. If you have a little room, you might be able to scootch the seat over a smidge while you buckle her and then center it back in the seat correctly. And if you can teach her how to buckle it, her hands might be able to fit in there a little easier.