To put a 3.5 year old in the front seat?

[Sallyh87]

Hi all

Advice needed, a brief Google search says it’s okay to put a 3.5 yr old in the front seat (in a car seat and the air bag turned off). Is that right?

My situation, we have a small car and I have a 3 yr old and an infant. Both get car sick though much less so the three year old as we have learned how to somewhat mitigate it.

We have an hour and a half journey next week and I wondered if it was okay to put 3 yr old in front seat. I am concerned infant will vomit and choke!

Just looking for advice, knowledge and opinions please.

Why would putting your 3yo in the front affect the likelihood of your infant vomiting?

You can do it as long as you are 100% certain that front and side airbags are off but it is a less safe position than the rear seats.

Why would putting your 3yo in the front affect the likelihood of your infant vomiting?

Sitting in the front can help with travel sickness.

If you do this then you’ll need to rear face him. I don’t think the airbag would be safe for him otherwise (and switching it off could hurt him worse)

As long as they're in the right car seat of course its fine. Seat should be pushed as far back as possible, air bag on.

Can you get a mini nanny cam set it up facing the infant and link the video feed to the passenger’s phone so they can keep an eye on the infant?

Yes, but they are two different children...

Isn't this completely the opposite to the recommended advice? If the child is rear facing the airbag must be off as the airbag can throw them into the car seat. If they are front facing, airbag should be on for protection.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

Put the car passenger seat all the way back. Fit the child seat properly. Job done

You never put a rear facing car seat in the front with an airbag on

www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/airbags-and-child-seats/

I assumed the OP meant swapping the three year old with an adult passenger, so the adult can look after the infant in the back

Absolutely do not put a rear facing seat in with an active air bag. If its a forward facing carseat then move the seat back as far as possible from the dashboard

That’s what I pictured too because she wanted the 3yr old in the front seat, not the infant that May vomit and choke.

Presumably so an adult can sit in the back with the baby?

Hi OP, I only have a 2-seater car, and have been taking my child (now 3.5) in my passenger seat since she was a baby. It's perfectly legal, just make sure if it's a rear-facing seat the airbag is off. If front facing, check what the seat manufacturer's guidance is.

Is this so the other adult can sit in the back and keep an eye on the baby in case they’re sick? If yes I think it makes sense. Put the passenger seat as far back as it goes. Then if the 3YO’s seat is rear facing then the airbag needs to be off. If it’s forward facing consult your car’s manual and it’ll tell you whether to turn it off or leave it one. Mine says it can be left on.

Thanks all. And sorry for not being being clear. Yes, I want to sit in the back with the infant in case she gets sick.

Thanks @Figment1982, that is really good to know.