Placement of Carseat

Hi I am a HIHGLY educated car seat safety advocate. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that the middle is the safest placement for your car seat. Any car seat tech will tell you this.

When there is more then one child it is safest to have the foward facing child in the middle and rear-facing children on the outside as a child in a rear-facing seat is safer then one in a foward facing seat.

Just make sure your child is at least 1 preferably 2 before putting them foward facing

Here's an article from Webmd.com. A recent study found that children in the center of the rear seat had a 43% lower risk of injury compared to either rear side position. Yes, you can play the "what if" game and say what if we get hit this way or that way, but generally speaking your baby is safer in the middle.
http://children.webmd.com/news/20080507/safest-spot-for-b...

Good luck!
K.

In the middle is the safest. If the car were to get hit on either side, the baby could get hit. Much less likely if the seat is in the middle.

Safest is in the middle. Consider the advantage of side impact.
How do you know which side you would be impacted upon. Middle is safest. If you're worried about baby going through windshield, the car seat 5point harness system is designed to prevent that especially if seat is properly installed in your car.

The safest place (if and only if the carseat sits solid - as that middle hump sometimes makes it wobbly) is in the MIDDLE. The next safest place is behind the driver. The last place is behind the passenger seat, as statistically more accidents/damage will be done on that side of the car.

I've always read middle of backseat is safest.

If you want to get your car seat inspected to make sure it is installed correctly and safely, you can go to a SAFE KIDS inspection station in your area.
http://www.texaschildrens.org/carecenters/InjuryPreventio...

(make sure to call ahead if you want to make an appointment)

For more tips on child safety:
http://www.texaschildrens.org/carecenters/InjuryPreventio...

The best practice place is in the middle of the back seat. If you moving your child from an infant seat to a convertible car seat (forward or rear facing) look at the weight limits on the side of the seat to keep it rear facing. The best practice is to keep your child rear facing as long as the seat will allow, but in the end it is your choice as a parent. If you choose to have the seat forward facing be sure to attach the tether anchor. After you get it installed find your local car seat technician and have them take a look at it (free). You can find a technician at http://www.seatcheck.org/ There is a video on this website this is very helpful as well http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/saferiders/

i agree that the middle is safest and it is more convenient also. being in the middle may help you to hand your toddler something if needed while driving. my kids were always in the middle. besides that the child isn't on one side or the other in case of an accidental impact on either side.

Everyone is always safest in the middle. Think about it - in a side impact crash, your baby will be right up against the door on either side. In the middle, they're a little further away from the most danger.

Why would you think its safest behind the drivers seat. I have always heard in the middle. Stop the debate and call the manufacture of the seat and find out the real answer for the safty of the child. Hope the truth comes out!

Pretty sure its middle

Well, Its safer in the middle and i know a handful that has it in behind the paaenger side. A lot don't like it being behind them just cause if they need to attend the baby its harder to reach be hind them than off to the side of them. Good Luck, ya'll know what to do soon.

Well in my opinion, since I've already turned mine around...I'd put the carseat in behind the Passenger. Not only is it as safe as behind the driver, but if your little one starts fussin and you're the only one in the car, it's easier to pick up a juice bottle and hand it to her...you can't hand him/her something if she's behind you!
Good luck!

Actually when you think about it...its behind the passenger side...because if you put it behind the driver you are driving closer to traffic going the other direction ...in the middle there is a risk of god forbid every gettin in a horriable accident and going through the windshield...plus anything could fly through the wind shield and being in the middle prob wouldn't be good....but behind the passenger the car seat is furthest from traffic coming the other direction and there is a seat protecting the child in case of a accident...

You are both wrong. It goes behind the passenger. Call the DPS, I think they have a booklet...or look at the directions that came with the seat. If you don't still have it, go go a store and read the directions on another seat.

I remember going thru that with my hubby. We decided that the middle is the best...just think if your car gets hit on the back passenger behind the driver seat...the baby will be better off in the center of any area impact. therefore, the center of the center of the car seems to be best. God Bless you and your family,

JenA

Though I'd check w/ the manufacturer first...I'd put it in the MIDDLE!! Further away from the sides helps. I always thought if I made a decision one way or another...and that's the side I got an accident on..I'd never forgive myself!! BUT, I saw a special on placing carseats/boosters. The youngest child is supposed to sit behind the LIGHTEST person. If you always drive...that means the middle or passenger side. If you are the heavier of the two and are always the passenger..it's middle or driver's side. They said to do that because on more than one occasion, the heavier person's front seat either shoved back or broke loose and hit the smallest child in the chest..killing the child. Also, use the latch system that buckles to your FRAME in your car. Not just the seatbelt method. Seatbelts have failed and resulted in ejected children/death...even when nobody else in the car were seriously injured. If it's too hard to switch a carseat from one car to another, and you do it often, invest in another carseat...one for both vehicles!! Best of luck! PS...this is just from my own research and watching shows...I'm NOT an expert!!! I do use these methods on my two young sons though!!

When in doubt, consult with the professionals. Call your local police department and ask to speak to their officer that handles car seat safety. You can ask them your question about the safest spot. To be certain, you can even ask for an appt time so that you can bring your car seat and have them install it for you to ensure it's done properly. This is what we did and it was the best decision ever. Our car seat is tight and there's peace of mind knowing your child is safe and in the safest place within the car. Good luck!

In this case, your husband is correct. The safest spot is in the middle. In the event your vehicle was involved in a front-end collision, the impact could push the front seats backward toward your child. The gap in the middle would prevent the full impact of either the front passenger seat or the front driver seat from crushing their limbs. I know this sounds scary, but it's true. Also, when I had my second child and the carseats would not fit side by side with the infant in the middle, my youngest child was positioned behind the passenger seat since that side was usually not occupied. My daughter unfortunately had to sit behind me as the older child in her booster chair strictly due to capacity reasons and not as my preference. Good luck!

Have you ever been in an accident? Being next to a door is not a safe place to put a child. You do stand more chance of an injury than in the middle. GO WITH THE MIDDLE SEAT.

I called the NTSB (national transportation safety board) when my first son was born 6 years ago. They said middle.... hmm....

To give you and your husband peace of mind, you should go to a fire dept station and they would be glad to help you.

Good luck,
Elisa

this site will tell you everything.! good luck and do whatever you can to keep your babies as safe as possible!! Always put their safety first.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9f8c7...
or
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
and click on child passenger safety

Hi, Im my opinion it's the middle. I have mine in the middle and it's the best there. I can tend to her when im the passanger and she needs something. Also when I went to her first appointment with the pediatrician she asked me where it was and I told her in the middle and she said that's the best place for it. And that is where it should be.

MIDDLE!!! For front and backward facing car seats, the middle is the safest!!

I always put the seat in the middle of the car. If (God forbid) there were to be an accident I would feel the baby would be safest from the middle of the vehicle as the impact could come from any side of the car or front, or , back and the middle is the safest position to be in. That's just my thought. Also, you might want to check w/ your local Fire Dept. and ask them as they usual check your carseat placemnt for free to make sure it's done correctly. Hope you figure this one out!

I wanted to mention to those who are concerned about not being able to put their child in the middle that Britax and possibly a few others do have seats available with "true side impact protection." My girls have the Brtiax Frontier (25 lbs to 80 lb harness and 80-100 lbs belt positioning) and the Britax Boulevard (5 lbs to 65 lbs harness only) that have side impact protection. Obviously te child can still be injured but it's supposed to help.

S., mom to four girls ages 1-5

My husband and I have always kept our daughter in the middle. Now if you have more than one kid you have to put them on the ends. But until we have number two, she will be in the middle. ~M

If you have just one kid, it's ALWAYS safest in the middle. Think about what happens if you get hit from either side...kid is safest in the middle.

Driver's side is just more convenient.

I believe safest place for the carseat, is the middle, but it's so hard to kids in & out of. You rally have to climb in the car. We have our one year old behind the passanger seat, because it is easy to see him (by that litle rearview mirror and turing my head)and it's easy to past toys/bottle/pacifer. Also, I think he feels safe, because he can see me. I hope this helps....good luck and let me know where y'all put the carseat!!

J.

Middle--that way it protects them the most against side impact crashes.

I kept mine in the middle till I had another one in a car seat......I was concerned about side impact and felt they'd be safer in the middle! :)

The safest is always in the middle. When I moved my child out of the middle was because lil bubba came along and ofcourse I seperated them so no ones eyes got poked out. but as long as you can put your child in the middle

1st safest is in the middle.
2nd safest is behind the passanger seat.
3rd safest is behind the driver.

I found this out at one of those car seat safty checks at Babies R Us.

B.

Elizabeth,

You don't mention what type of car you have nor the age of your child. As many other people have said, the general rule is that the middle seat is the safest. Please keep in mind that older cars may not be LATCH compatible in the center seat -- check your owner's manual.

Second, please consider buying a carseat that allows you to keep your child rear-facing longer. It truly is the safest way for our precious children to ride. For example, the Britax Marathon is rear-facing up to 35 pounds and then in the harness forward-facing up to 65 pounds.

Statistically, less accidents occur if the carseat is in the middle.....as long as the seat is properly attached and is not placed on a "bubble hump."

This will also give you a better view of what your child is doing.

Sorry, but "this time" he's correct. :-)

Sorry..Your husband is correct...The middle seat in back is the safest place for a baby to go provided you only have one. If there are more than one, try to keep the youngest in the middle and the other(s) behind driver and passenger (neither is better than the other).

Also, for convertible rear-facing seats...invest a couple of dollars in one of those swimming "noodles"...Cut it downd to slightly wider than your car seat and place it unde the side of the carseat closest to the seat back... This allows the car seat to sit evenly on the cars seat (especially as most seats in cars dip towards the seat back), thus allowing proper positioning of the reclining seat...

Also, while most maufacturers do not recomment anything not sold with their car seats i HIGHLY recommend "mighty tight' seat belt locks.. They are not very expensive but they are easier to use than the simple bracket lock that comes with the car seat. Your car seat should not move more than one inch in ANY direction when properly buckled in and with the "mighty tight" you can crank the belt into a much more secure fit that prevents loosening of the belt over time and travel...

Also, for five point harnes tightening with your child, you should be able to fit two fingers between the seat belt and your child. The should allow you to pinch about half an inch of the belt over either shoulder , bnut not quite far enough for your fingers to meet in the pinch...

If you want to be absolutely sure that your child is the most secure in his car seat, you should take him AND the seat in your car to any of the free inspections sites across the nation...here is a link to find out where your closest one is...

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/People/Injury/Childps/CPSFitting...

good luck and safe driving with baby on board!!! ;-)

I put mine in the middle because of a side impact he has more disatance between him and the other vehicle.

From what I've read, the middle is the safest place. The way I think about it is if you were hit from either side and if the baby is on either side, has more of a chance to be injured. I think if they're in the middle it would be harder for the car to be "crumpled" all the way to the middle.

Experts agree that the safest place is in the middle. In the event of any kind of crash, your child has more room than he/she would if your car took any kind of side-impact.

The safest place is in the middle. If you were to get hit from either side the child would not take the direct hit if the car seat is in the middle.

in the middle of the back seat. Look it up on Texas transportation laws.

I have always been told that the middle of the back seat is the safest place to put them. This is where we put our little one.

In the event that an accident, the safest place is in the middle, where the child is more protected from a side impact collision.

I have a 2 dr car, and my son is placed behind the drivers seat (only 2 seats in the back). You are more likely to swerve at the last minute to protect your side of the vehicle instinctively, protecting the child sitting behind the driver's seat.

So, you and your hubby are both correct. It just depends on what kind of car you have and how many seats are in the back.

I believe that it depends on how well it sits in your car. I perfer the middle but my SUV's middle area is small and the seat does not sit well. I have my son sitting behind the passanger seat and it works quit well. I would not put a child behind the drivers seat because if your child needs something or starts chocking you can not help or see him as well. Just try handing a child a sippy cup that is sitting behind you and you can not see if he is reaching for it. You might be putting both of you in more danger then the location of a seat.

If you only have one child or if this child is the youngest, the best place is in the middle.

center is best. Incidentally, I just wanted to throw out there for anyone else who might be reading... the new guideline is the child should be rear facing until they are 1 years old and 30 lbs.

hi Elizabeth,
if there is only 1 person in the car it should be in the middle so you have easy exccuss to the baby if you need be while driving
L.

My son, who is 6 now, and in a booster seat has always sat in the middle. I always felt that was the safest place because I worried about a T-Bone collision. Additionally, I have a clip on mirror on my rear-view mirror that I can see him in. On the off chance that he sits on either side I can't see him behind me and can barely see him behind the passenger seat. He only rides in one of the side seats when I need to fold down a portion of the back seat for cargo space. I drive a PT Cruiser.

However, my sister, whose daughter is a year younger had to put her child on the side. She started with her in the middle, but at the time her child was a baby she drove a Durango. One day when it was raining, she slipped on the running board and almost fell with child in hand. She put her little girl on the passenger side (1) so she can stand on the ground to get her in and out, and (2) because when parallel parked she doesn't have to get her out on the road side of the car, she's on the sidewalk side. Passenger side is something I always did with my son, too.

If you must put them on one side or the other, I would definitely say the passenger side because of the reasons mentioned above and because it is easier to hand them things when traveling, if necessary.

When I took our seat to the police station to get it installed in my car, they would only put it in the middle. They actually refused to install it on one of the sides! If you have two seats, you'll have to put one on either side, but if you only have one, and have the opportunity to use the middle, it's safest, especially if you have a 5-point harness, which will keep your child from coming out of the seat in an accident. It may seem like having a seat in front of the child is a good idea, but a 5-point harness used correctly should hold, and the child is more protected in a side-impact crash is he/she is in the middle.

Regulation is the middle of the back seat.

I've always heard middle is safest. But, for convenience, I like the passenger side. That way I can keep an eye on her. Now that's there's two, it's not as easy. One child is always out of my line of sight.

Sorry, but your husband is right - the middle is the safest place. If you have a side impact crash there is some cushion for your child. Imagine if your child is behind the drivers seat and someone runs through a light and hits the driver's side of the car. Would you rather your child was behind the driver's seat or in the middle under those circumstances?

Hi Elizabeth, I hate to tell you this but your husband is right. If you only have to put one car seat in your vehicle it should be in the middle. If someone was to hit you on the side your baby stands a better chance. When I bought my daughter a new car so she would have dependable transportation for her baby the salesman at the dealer told us that also. With you precious little one it is better to be safe than sorry. Hope this helps. Have a great day.

Contact someone locally that does the child safety seat program. A lot of times radio stations will have one going on somewhere. Here in Corpus Christi they have the program at Driscoll Childrens Hospital - you can go there & they will come out to your car to inspect. Good luck!

i've ALWAYS heard that the safest place is in the middle! (even though that mean "siding" with your husband)

As far as safety, your hubby is right. When I was pregnant with my daughter, the local fire department & police department were having a carseat safety check & demonstration. You could take your vehicle in and have them check to see if your carseat was put in correctly or have them install it FOR you. Since I was having a scheduled c-section the following week, I hadn't belted it in yet because I couldn't GET IN THE CAR THAT WAY EASILY <GRIN>. They did it for me. They put it in the middle saying that if you got t-boned from EITHER side the baby was in the smallest amount of danger in the middle. If your vehicle has only two seat belts in the back you'll have to make your own choice, but if you have three belts put it in the center. When you read your carseat instructions they may say to put it in the middle, at least mine did. That was 8 years ago. Another advantage to it being in the middle is that adults can sit in the back on each side of the carseat (I did for about a week <g>)

Now if you are going strictly for what is easiest for you, I eventually moved the carseat to behind the passenger seat. When you park at someone else's home you almost always have to park in the street. If you are parking correctly <with the car parked in the direction traffic goes> that means that the passenger side is next to the curb (in San Antonio, Texas, not sure about other places, you can get a ticket for parking with the driver's side next to the curb or facing traffic). If the carseat is behind the driver's seat then you have to stand out in the street with the door open to place the baby in and then to stand there and get all of the straps done right and then to make sure the pacifier and the bottle and the blanket and everything else is in place. If the baby is fussy, this can take several minutes. If it's a busy street you keep closing the door so you don't get hit.

If the carseat is on the passenger side, then you can take your time and make sure your Precious Cargo is buckled in correctly and is comfortable. And if your family is like mine (we end up talking by the car for another 30 minutes), you can stand in the grass next to the car with the passenger side open right next to Baby! When we had our son 5 years ago, my daughter was still in a booster seat so we couldn't put the infant carseat in the middle. I put my daughter's booster seat behind the driver's seat and my son's infant carseat behind the passenger seat so that I could take my time taking him in and out. My daughter's booster seat was real simple and only took a moment to buckle her in so I would carry my son out to the car (I usually took the carseat inside when we went anywhere or came home and then buckled him into the seat before we went out to the car), would place him on the grass, walk her around and buckle her in to make sure she didn't run into the street while I was placing him in the car and then I would walk back around and take my time placing the carseat in the base and getting all of his stuff where I wanted it. I was picky about where the baby stuff went in the car, now I'm happy if I just remembered to get everything the first trip out to the car <G>

Another thing to think about: if you need to reach back to touch the baby or give the baby something at a Stop, then it's easier to reach right to the middle of the car or the passenger side rather than trying to make your arm bend in wierd directions when the baby is directly behind you. We have two cars, so that was the set up for MY car. We switched it in my husband's car: we placed my daughter's booster seat behind the passenger (my) seat and the infant carseat behind the driver's side (my husband's seat) so that I could attend to our son while Hubby drove.

I know this is a long message, but I hope it helps you and your hubby decide where you want the carseat.

Hello Elizabeth,
I happen to agree (as well as my husband) that the safest place to put the forward facing carseat is behind the driver. In the event of an accident, the driver's seat will prevent the baby from being forced (God forbid) through the front windshield of the vehicle between the driver and passenger seats. Therefore, the center in the back would (in my opinion) not be the safest place to put the car seat. Did the car seat come with a manual that gives you recommendations on where to place it in the vehicle?
M. D.

Elizabeth

Coming from a mother of a five year old, who had a major accident when my daughter was 1 ½ at that time. My car was hit in the back next to the passenger’s door witch forced my car to spin several times. My daughter was only shaken up, nothing else. The safest location to place the forward facing car seat is the middle, but make sure the car seat has the safety straps that can be connected to the car. In my car it can be connected to the bottom underneath the seat or in the back of the seat if you have an SUV. If you have to put the car seat on either side, the back passenger side is the best. It is easer to see your child from that point of view. If a car is hit on the side where the child is sitting more then likely that child will be hit. If a child is in his car seat buckled up properly the child will not get heart if the car is hit.

Hi its safest if its located behind one of the other seats. If you have bucket seats(only two seats in front) and you put your child in the middle then there is a greater chance for your child to go flying out the windshield. The seats are pretty much another safety device that will help your child from flying out of the wildshield if the seat belt doesnt hold during a accident.

But I also have 2 other kids that go back there. There are sites that say the safest is in the middle as youve seen from the others who have answered this but with my experiances with seeing little children that have been in the middle go flying I have never put my youngest in the middle.

Sorry I am with your husband on this one! My son is 3 and he still sits in the middle, not only is it safer you can get to him or her alot easier when anything is needed.

definitely safest in the middle (if that's possible)

Safest place would be the middle to protect from being t-boned. If the seat is put in properly the middle.

Whenever possible, I place the carseat in the middle, regardless if its a face forward or rear facing. I do this because should someone T-bone the car, there is less opportunity for the vehicle to physically impact the carseat and child.

Also, make sure you are placing your child correctly in the carseat, as many parents don't realize they don't tighten the straps enough, because they a) fear it will hurt the child and b) that its okay to have the straps loose. If the straps are not secured properly, then its like having a child sit without a carseat, or even worse, because the impact can force them out of their carseat.

Many individuals don't understand that when you get into a car accident, there is a minimum of two impacts on the carseat; the initial crash and the momentum of the accident forcing the child forward/backward/sideways. Just make sure the carseat and the straps on the child are secure based on the manual provided with the carseat. I would also look at the manual to see what the guidelines and suggestions of the carseat manufacturer.

Also, when it comes time to picking a booster seat, pick one with the tall back, it provides better back support should a car accident occur.

hope this helps.
A.

a friend with three kids was told by an inspector to put her kids in order of safety according to youngest to oldest. the youngest had to sit in the middle (safest!), the second oldest had to sit behind the passenger seat (second safest), and the oldest had to sit behind the driver. i may have gotten the last two switched-- i need to double check that-- but the middle is the most safe for sure.

one carseat middle, two carseats outter seats. Seatcheck.org for sites to have them checked.

I was told by the professionals that installed my carseat that the safest is in the middle. If you get hit by the side, they are safer...But, they said more importantly is that it is installed correctly. Apparently, a very high percentage are not installed correctly.

The middle is definetly the safest place. Second, I believe is behgind the passenger side. That way when you are driving the baby on your own, it is easier for you to turn around to see him and hand him stuff.

Hi. Placement of the carseat should be in the middle if I remember correctly because it is furthest from side impact in a wreck:) For safety and centrality reasons. Easier to reach as well. The question answered below came from http://www.carseat.org/ if you want to read more.

Where is the safest place in the car for my child to sit?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that all children 12 and under be restrained in the rear seat. Researchers estimate that putting a child in the back seat instead of the front reduces the chance of injury and death by more than 30%, whether or not the car has a passenger air bag. The center of the back seat is the farthest away from a possible side impact, so we always try first to install a safety seat there. If you can't secure the safety seat firmly in the center or there is more than one child in the car, you will need to use an outboard (side) seating position. Safety seats fit differently with various vehicle belts and seat cushions, and a tight fit is very important. If the car has lap-shoulder belts on the sides only, older children in boosters or belts alone should sit on the side instead of using a lap-only belt in the center. If there are two young children in the family, it may be necessary to separate them (for various behavioral reasons, and particularly if one is a vulnerable newborn) and not use the center seat for either one. For more information, go to Seating position.

I have always heard that it is the safest in the middle. Have you checked in the carseat manuel? It might tell you the best place to put the carseat.

Placing the seat as far away as possible from potential points of impact is what is recommended by those concerned with children's safety issues who see accidents daily (police/firemen). All of them suggest the middle. Concerning families who have been in accidents, I have been told that if it wasn't for the children being placed in the middle, they wouldn't be alive today.

I always put mine in the middle because of side impacts, just seemed like the safer place to put it.

I've always been told that the carseat goes in the middle. If it was behind the driver then what would happen if you were hit on the drivers side? I have to agree with your husband.

If you place your baby behind the driver, and you are hit by another car on the left, WOULD you not want your child on the right side of the car?

If you place your baby behind the passenger, and are hit on the right side, WOULD you not want your child on the left side?

If you have a middle seat belt, place him in the middle, this IS THE SAFEST part of the car. Figure if you were hit by any angle, where would YOU want to be? In the middle of the car.

As a mother who was recently in a very bad car accident and was hit almost head-on by a drunk driver on Thanksgiving last year, my BIGGEST concern was who was sitting behind me (the driver) as we got the biggest impact. I worried less about my youngest child who was sitting in the middle.

Yes it will probably be a pain in the behind to climb in and out of your car/truck to get your child in and out of a vehicle. Gripe about, moan about it, but KNOW your child is SAFEST in the middle.