I have 2 boys still in carseats and one GIRL on the way. We have a Dodge Durango with 3 rows, but after we have the baby I will be doing a lot of stuff with the kids by myself, as my husband has enlisted in the Navy. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a babyseat with a narrow base that will fit on the same bench with 2 other carseats. I've been looking and found a couple good reviews for the Maxi-Cosi Mico seat. Does anyone have this? Do you like it. Are there any other narrow and light baby seats out there that you could recommend? All the help would be GREAT!
I guess I should add some to this... I drive a NEWER model Dodge Durango so they are bigger than the older model. It is the *perfect* vehicle for us. It gets great gas milage, the dealer can't even believe how good it gets, and we are going to be traveling A LOT so we need the space. All that being said, I vowed to NEVER drive a mini-van and I love my durango too much! I have looked everywhere and have not found anything saying it is illegal to have 3 children in 1 row (I also have cop friends) in ANY state. I am more concerned about the danger of having a child in the third row, I HAVE read lots about the danger of that. I know it's possible to have 3 in one row because I have seen it, but I didn't see the brand of carseat. When I had my second they were right next to each other in the car and they didn't bother each other while we were driving. If you know of a good narrow seat or have used the Maxi-Cosi Mico please let me know!
We had a Durango. After our 2nd child we decided to go for the mini van. It is better on gas mileage, and they all fit great. I don't know about that particular car seat, but good luck trying to fit 3 in the same row.
Hi D.,
I have a VW Passat station wagon, and I also have two boys and a little girl, all in the same row. (I did not think it was illegal to have them all in the same row - I will have to check into that...). In any case, my older two boys are in Graco Turbo Boosters (they are 6 and 8 now, but when my daughter was born, they were 6 and 4), and my daughter is in an EvenFlo Tribute 5 DLX seat (I am not sure if they make it anymore, we bought it about 3 years ago, but it is narrow enough to fit rear-facing and forward-facing). The baby seat is in the middle (attached with the seat belt, not the LATCH - according to the owner's manual for my car, you can't use the LATCH for the center rear seat, only the seat belt), and the boy's boosters are on the sides.
It works, but it can be very cumbersome to buckle everyone into the car. I have to move the boosters a bit to buckle the seat belts, then tuck the boosters back into place and snug up the seat belts. As far as having them all in the same row, I never had issues with the boys "dropping" anything on the baby or taking her blankets, and my kids all like to sit next to each other. We have talked about getting a minivan when this car gets older, but my kids all still want to sit together in the same row! :-)
Good luck finding seats that work for you - there was a lot of trial and error finding seats that fit snugly and correctly in the car, but it was still a lot less expensive than buying a new vehicle!
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and again, good luck with your car seat situation!
Warmly,
J.
We have a Sunshine Kids Radian carseat, which has one of the narrowest bases available. It also folds in half which makes it easy to take on planes etc.
Hi D.,
I have a Durango with no 3rd row seat and have my 3 kids all in a row. I had no idea it was illegal though and can't believe the state can require someone to purchase a larger vehicle every time they have a child. There are some who have to even put their kids in the front, which is not the safest, but I believe isn't illegal as long as the air bag is off. Regardless, it's definitely something worth looking into! So, I know it works, but is a very tight squeeze and just depends on the seats. My older two (4 and 6)are in booster type seats and the youngest is 2 and in a forward facing seat.
D. ~ I do not have a car seat solution – yet a suggestion. Don’t put all the kids in the same row. Although at this time you think it is best; and might be convenient for YOU; you will find that the other children may ‘drop’ things on the newborn, or take things <blankets/covers/etc> from the newborn. I had to separate the children to ensure everyone’s safe arrival at our destinations. BTW – SAHM, of six children and grandchildren on the way!! Good Luck.
You can't legally drive with three carseats/boosterseats in one row of seats in this state. They can not be installed next to eachother. There has to be a seat in between them. I know how hard it is to have to buckle kids up in the back I am expecting my fourth in a few weeks and drive a minivan. I used to have a durango and coudn't stand how hard it was to get the boys buckled up in the back.
