Can I make 3 car seats in a Ford Focus work?

[Whatthedoodle]

I have a Ford Focus with an almost 5 year old, almost 1 year old and I’m 13 weeks pregnant. My idea is to put my 5 year old in the middle (in a car seat of course) and have the two babies either side. It’ll be snug, but I’m hoping to make it work. I could get a bigger car but I don’t really want to at the minute. I’d like to keep the focus for a bit longer because I love it. The boot is big enough for the pram I’ve chosen (tested a friends out in it) I’m just curious about 3 car seats in the back.
Alternatively, if anyone has any car recommendations I will have a good think about changing if I really need to.

Thanks!

[ZarasHouse]

You can't have a car seat in the middle seat without an isofix point. You can usually put a rear facing car seat in the front passengers seat with the air bag deactivated.

[Whatthedoodle]

@ZarasHouse I thought as long as there was a 3 point seat belt it would be ok, I’ll look into this

[ZarasHouse]

I might be wrong, but that was my understanding of the isofix rules

[littleapple]

I have 3 car seats in the back of a Vauxhall Meriva, until recently one rear facing and two forwards. It's very tight, and I couldn't fit them in the back of my parents' Ford focus. However, that doesn't make it impossible. You will probably have to go for seatbelted rather than isofix to make sure the outer two seats are far enough to the edge to fit the middle one in. You have to look out for narrower child seats.

[ZarasHouse]

It may not be impossible but I'm not sure whether it's safe or legal so it would be worth checking

[OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea]

I doubt it. My parents had a focus and with 1 high backed booster and 1 rear facing I had to get one of those inflatable bubble bums for the 3rd child in the middle. Not exactly in line with current guidance.

[Whatthedoodle]

Thanks. I’ll start car shopping!

[ohdearymemumof3]

I have a 5yr old.. 2 and a half yr old and 9 month old in my Ford focus. 5yr old is in the middle on a booster seat though as she is big for her age x

[Whatthedoodle]

@ohdearymemumof3 thank you. That gives me hope it’ll work, I’m going to start looking at car seats and see if there’s anything I can do. I love my focus!

[ohdearymemumof3]

@Whatthedoodle yeah its definitely do able just try find the most least bulky carseats possible haha x

[welshweasel]

Definitely possible. You’d need eldest on a narrow HBB in the middle, then a belted infant carrier and belted erf seat either side. Give the in car safety centre a call - they are very helpful!

[welshweasel]

If you join the Facebook group car seat advice Uk then search for 3 across Ford Focus there are a few options.

Pebble, britax adventure and axkid minikid seems to be one that works

[Whatthedoodle]

@ohdearymemumof3 I have very bulky car seats at the minute which i think is why I’m assuming it’s impossible but we’re going to get new ones which is a cheaper alternative to a new car!

@welshweasel thank you that’s really helpful, I’ll give them a call!