Where do I position my car seats? Who goes where?

[BigBaboonBum]

Hi everybody. I’m expecting my third child next year and I’ve been looking at car seats, but where do I put it?
I have two other children aged 6 and 11. I was planning on putting DC3 in the middle but I’m not entirely sure car seats can be anchored (using an isofix base or similar) to the middle? I don’t know! I have a Ford Mondeo.
Any help or advice would be appreciated as I’m quite lost!

Thank you

11 year old in middle. Younger kids at each side

Yeah I reckon 11yo in the middle without a car seat, as then you won't have to worry about fitting everything together. How close will they be to 12 when DC3 is born and how tall now?

Check your car manual or the fit finder on a car seat website to check about isofix in the middle, I suppose?

Eldest in the middle without a car seat. We had a fod Mondeo when we had our third. We had to sell it a we couldn’t get 3 car seats in!

Also, even if you can, putting an isofix base in the middle is a pain because if you need to get all the kids in from one side someone will have to scramble over it and it’s not easy. Put the isofix base the furthest away from the side you usually get in and out of.

I'm worried about how long you'll be pregnant if you're not due til next year......totally missing the point

Thanks for the replies. I’ve just read that he could stop using a car seat at 135cm, is this right? I feel so stupid, I really didn’t know I just thought it was 12 year old. He’s currently 164cm (just taken over me!) and he will be 12 in September

Yes, it’s right. It’s 135cm or 12, whichever comes first. Just bung him in the middle.

As an aside though, check how much room he has in the middle once a booster and a baby seat are in there. It might not be as much as you think.

Thanks! I’m going to buy the seat sooner than I thought so I can figure out whether I need to change car or not. My six year olds car seat is pretty bulky to be honest

Him in the middle, 6 yo on the drivers side and baby on the passenger side. Side on collisions are more likely on the drivers side, iirc - so always put the eldest there that it is possible to do.

Eldest in the middle and youngest two each side. Baby on the opposite side to the drivers side so you can check on them easier (they will be back facing so you can just pull the car seat hood down) and the mirror will allow you to check on the middle child. Also eldest will be able to give dummy/play with toys if baby is unsettled better than the middle child will be able to.

Sounds perfect! Thank you, I really appreciate it

Ooh yes 164cm can defo stop using one now! :) Minimum is 135cm but recommended 150cm so he's definitely alright without one.

If the 6yo's seat is really too bulky you could look at a slimmer high backed booster or switch to a basic booster. The Britax Adventure is a good minimalist one still with some head protection.