best place for new baby?

[homebirthmummy4]

we are expecting a new baby in a couple of weeks. i already have 3 teenagers who are obviously no longer in car seats but i am thinking about the logistics of placing a FIXED 0-4yr car seat for new baby. i have been told by shop keeper that front seat is not recommended because of driver distraction and cute new baby. also, i dont like the idea of having to disconnect air bag in case i forget to reconnect it when car seat moves out. neither do i like the idea of sitting in back myself if dh is driving (it would be rare for all 6 of us to be out together and would take 2nd car at such times). then in the back seat, dh says one side or another is more practical and i think middle seat is safer (side impact etc), also when teenagers were little i seem to remember size issues with 3 kids in back ie car doors would 'hit' side of any car seat when closing. what do you think? does anyone have any similar experiences? am i worrying over nothing? sorry for long post, comments gratefully received.

middle seat is safest but not always as convenient. The next safest is the back passenger side.

I thought the middle seat was only safest if seat was a full 'proper' size seat, Which yours maybe, but most cars eveb family size the seat is slightly smaller.
Passenger back as pp. xx

Contrary to popular belief front seat is actually the safest place for an infant baby if airbag can be deactivated There are many reasons which have been proven ages ago through research. It has also been proven "in real life" by the Swedes which has kept kids rear facing in front seat since 1965 and are 30 years ahead of UK and other countries in car seat safety.

Rear sat also offer excellent safety although rear middle is only theoretically slightly safer than outboard. When looking at all the factors we simplify things and generally say that all places in the car, including front seat (airbag deactivated) are about as safe.

Research is also showing that parents are LESS distracted by babies in the front seat compared to the rear. Overall, front seat is an excellent, safe and practical place for a child. Your baby will no doubt be cute, it will sill be safe in the front seat...:-=

Really, I always heard that the front seat was the worst place for any child seat, even if airbags are deactivated, because in a frontal crash the impact is felt more in the front.

Also if there are airbags, the safety of the car and protection of the front passenger is surely designed with the idea that the airbag is on.

Middle back seat is safest, IF there is a proper 3-point seatbelt (ie not lap belt) and the seat is full size. It will probably be easier for access etc as well.

RoSPA advice here