A stupid question!

[SandunesAndRainclouds]

This is probably a very stupid question.

I'm looking for a new car seat for DD (3.3yo) with isofix.

There are 4 seats in the rear of our Viano, two facing in the direction of travel and two facing the boot - like the seats you have on a train around a table. If she sits in the seats facing the boot does that have the same effect as a rear-facing child seat?

I'm really having difficulty choosing the best seat for her!

I'm not sure about that. Forward facing seats are obviously only tested forward facing, and the manuals for all the forward facing seats I've had has said the seats are not to be used on rear facing vehicle seats.

In theory you would think it would be fine, but in reality I think because the child seats haven't been tested on rear facing seats no manufacturer will say it's ok.

Is there a manual for the van that says anything about child safety?

Thanks for replying.

It says that children in cat 0 seats or rearward facing seats should be placed in the direction of travel. There's no mention of forward facing child restraints being unsuitable for the rear facing chairs.

They recommend using Britax Römer seats, the Duo Plus for Cat 1 and Kidfix for Cat 2/3.

Yes.

The force of a collision will throw her head towards the front of the car. Toward the windscreen.

In a standard seat, this force will pull her head toward her chest.

In the standard seat with rear facing baby seat, the head is pulled in to the back of the baby seat, so no stretching of her neck.

If you put a rear facing baby seat (infant carrier) in the rear facing proper car seat, the baby is travelling forward. So any impact will throw her head forward.

The child seat must be fitted in correct orientation to the car seat.

A toddler seat, correctly fitted, in a rear facing chair should present no problems.