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Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

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Original poster

NB twins and toddler - 3 car seats wont fit!!!

26 replies

SwellyBelly · 03/03/2011 11:45

Hi all

Our twins are due in August and after the shock of them, we are now trying to address the practicalities - and DH's preoccupation has been the car (any surprise??!)

So, we put toddler's car seat (maxi-cosi Axiss) in the back with his baby seat (recaro young sport) and there is a gnat's whisker left for the second baby seat - it simply will not fit. And its not as if we have a small car - we have a BMW 5 series estate.

Does anyone have any more success in fitting 3 seats in the back and if so, what seats do you have?

I know it will be a squeeze and we have to be contortionists, but the plan is for the BMW to be the 2nd car, and for us to invest in a bus type vehicle.....or failing that, a bus!

OP posts:

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Mandy21 · 03/03/2011 13:19

I'm the other way round, we have twins that are in forward facing seats and a baby in a rear facing seat. We have an MPV (a MAZDA) and were also pretty shocked that it was such a tight squeeze with 3 seats in what is, in effect (and what the car is marketed as), a 5 adult seat car (3 adult seats across the back). We had the Britax Cosy Tot Premium (the baby seat) on an Isofix base, and then 2 Britax Isofix Eclipse. It was a tight squeeze but do-able, having said that the middle seat in the back isn't Isofix so there was a little more leeway where for adjusting the position to make sure the other two were isofix secured.

We're struggling now since the older twins are now in booster seats which means we have to be able to access the seat belt holders and there isn't really enough room between the seats to get your hand down to secure the seat belt if that makes sense. We're just waiting until we change cars but we're going to have to get a 7 seater.

Mandy

Anjelika · 03/03/2011 13:51

Hi SwellyBelly

When I had the DTs last April, DS1 was 3 years and a month.

We couldn't get 2 Maxi Cosi Cabriofix seats with easybases plus a toddler seat across the back of our main car so, for the first 9 months, DS1 sat in the front and whoever wasn't driving out of me & DH sat in the back, squeezed between the babies. It wasn't ideal but when the babies reached 9 months we moved all 3 children up to the next stage seats so now we've got 2 maxi Cosi toddler seats in the back next to each other (a Tobi and a Priori XP) and DS1 is at the end in a High backed booster seat - a Maxi Cosi Rodi which is one of the narrowest you can find.

Not sure if this would work for you - guess it depends on how long you've got before your toddler moves into a high backed booster. Just wanted to say that you don't automatically have to change your car to accomodate twins and a toddler - if you look at the bigger picture you might get away with keeping the same car.

BertieBotts · 03/03/2011 14:10

How old is your DS? And would his seat fit in the front of the car, or in the middle in the back? (Usually seats fit together easier if you can alternate rear-and-forward-facing.) Alternatively you could put his seat away for now and get him a narrower seat, like the Kiddy Infinity Pro, or a group 123 seat - you can get some narrower seats now. You will need 2 group 1 seats eventually anyway.

BibiThree · 03/03/2011 14:11

I had a 3 year old when dts were born, we bought a Toyota Corolla Verso, 3 car seats fir fine across the back seat. Big boot too, and 2 spare seats for friends when they're older.
Congrats by the way

Weegle · 03/03/2011 14:18

We had the same problem and ended up buying a new car - a Zafira, so a 7 seater.

You can by law put the toddler's seat on the front passenger seat (disable airbag) and if either you or your partner are small enough you go between the 2 infant seats. DH and I are both over 6 foot, we tried that, it didn't work...

Also, by law (but personally we didn't feel happy with it) if you can't fit 3 correct aged car seats across your car your eldest child doesn't have to be in a car seat. As I say, we didn't feel happy with this and so didn't consider it was a real option.

Even now with the 7 seater we can only fit a basic booster between the DT's stage 2's (they are now toddler's) and even then it's a nightmare for reaching the seat belt clip.

THe problem isn't short lived and to us has only got worse as the DT's have moved to the next stage seats, so I really would recommend, if you can, looking at a 7 seater.

WithManyTots · 03/03/2011 16:56

We were the same, although toddler twins plus baby. Couldn't fit across the back seat of a Passat or A4, and although I wondered about a 7 series or Audi A8 for some fun, we ended up with a S-Max as a third car, just because it is so wide.

We have just chosen booster seats for twins on the basis of which design will eventually fit 3 on the seat in a year or two time.

welshandproud · 03/03/2011 17:21

I have a vauxhall meriva only 5 seats but roomy and quite high off the ground. I have 2 stage 2 and 1 stage 3 car seat in the back quite comfortably.At one point i had a stage 1 and 2 stage 2s.My children are almost 4,2 and a half and 18months.I looked at 7 seaters but the leg room was really tight and accessibility of rear seats for car seats wasnt very practical.
Congrats on your twins

londonlottie · 03/03/2011 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

holidays2010 · 03/03/2011 20:27

Ive read in a safety booklet that where the child seats prevent a third child seat from fitting, that child can simply use the seatbelt (no booster). not sure if that helps?

2plus2more · 03/03/2011 20:41

We have a Volvo XC90. We have 6 month old twins who have Maxi Cosi Pebble seats with the FamilyFix bases. They go at the 2 sides of the back seat. We also have a 3 1/2 year old who is in a Maxo Cosi Tobi inbetween them. She is small for her age so won't be in a booster seat probably until after she's 4. (at least!) I would guess that she would move to a booster at around the same time the twins move into forward facing. (I'll keep them rear-facing as long as possible) We also have a 6 year old who is on a booster cushion either in the back row of seats (at the weekends when we are all in the car together) or in the front passenger seat (during the week when it's just me and the kids).

We looked at so many cars - including some of the ones mentioned but because we needed 6 seats and still room for a double buggy we didn't have many options. We found the S-max, Galaxy etc... didn't have a big enough boot for us.

Really hard though...

mumtoted · 03/03/2011 20:52

So glad to see this thread! We have a Toyota Avensis, and a 6yr old in a booster and a 3 yr old in a car seat, and there is no room in the back for grandma or another child on a booster (thinking school run/ friend home to play).

We have recently test driven the Toyota Verso, that has 3 separate seats in the back and can fit everyone in, but didn't really want to have an MPV.

Anyone know which SUV type will fit 3 across the back? (Yes would love a Lexus but can't really stretch to 40 grand!).

defineme · 03/03/2011 20:57

We had aFiat multipla- such a lovely car. It has 3 seats in back and 3 in the front. The middle one in the front turns into a table for car picnics! 3 car seats fit in the back.

Original poster

SwellyBelly · 04/03/2011 08:08

Hi all

thanks so much for your comments - glad to read it wasnt our inability to fit car seats!

We tried the toddler seat in the middle - but as it doesnt have a base, it uses the seat belt - and unbelievably the middle seatbelt isnt long enough.

Happy to hear what everyone else does - Im wondering whether I should suggest we but the toddler in the front, the twins in the back and mum in a sporty convertible???!

Else, we are considering an E class estate which apparently has 7 seats - 2 in the boot which fold down as adult ones - but that lessens the boot space, an X5 - which has the same configuration and finally, DH is considering a R-class mercedes - which is v v pricey, for a van, but DH reckons it looks sporty ??!

Seriously though, with my first it was 'what stroller' and this time around the permutations of car seats and cars looks to be even more of a conundrum!

OP posts:

PrincessScrumpy · 08/03/2011 21:25

We have a VW Touran - the plan was so that when we had our second baby, there would be space in the back for the in laws / my parents so we can do day trips in one car. Turns out I'm having twins so looks like we chose perfectly - phew! Actually love driving it. dd1 will go in the middle so she can see out the front as you cannot put newborn seats in the middle. It has 7 seats and big boot.

Really looking forward to kids being older so I can have a VW Beetle!

NonnoMum · 08/03/2011 21:32

We have a Citroen Xsara Picasso and have managed to fit two 'baby' seats (not twins but a year apart) with a toddler full-back booster seat in the middle. All three seats would fit any combination it seems.
Can you check with the manufacturer what car seats they would recommend for you? (esp if you don't need the expense of changing car).

Good luck btw...

McDreamy · 08/03/2011 21:35

We have a BMW 5 series too, can't fit 3 seats in, we were gutted. So now DH has a BMW 5 series and I drive a Ford S Max

minimisa · 09/03/2011 14:21

I read an article in a paper (I'm pretty sure The Family section of the guardian) about a newsreader who had this dilemma and found a company that makes some attachment to the car so you can fit three seats in a relatively normal car. Obviously cannot remember the name of said newsreader or the contraption and it was expensive but probably less than a new car!

KirstyJC · 09/03/2011 14:25

We have just bought a Xsara Picasso for this very reason! We did look at a Merc E Class with the 2 seats in the boot, but felt this wouldn't be suitable as a permanent option.

Our other option was a Fiat Multipla but by god they're ugly!

I think I saw the car seat minimisa is talking about on an older thread - I will have a look for it for you. I looked at it and it looked fab, until I saw it was about £1500 (more than the cost of the car for it to go in!)

throckenholt · 09/03/2011 14:29

In my experience only the biggest people carriers (kia sedona, galaxy etc) have enough space to comfortably fit 3 car seats across. The high back boosters are even wider than the younger children seats.

We have a sedona (which is fine) and also a VW touran which is a tight fit - the kids have got used to leaving the door open and wriggling the seats apart a bit while clipping in. Not easy but just about doable.

I think someone else said - try borrowing a second baby seat and putting your DS's seat in the middle - they tend to fit better when you don't have two backs side by side. Otherwise if you can turn of the front passenger airbag then you have to put one in the front.

Having twins (plus others) is full of these little puzzles :).

throckenholt · 09/03/2011 14:32

this might also be worth considering.

How big is the age gap between the twins and your older one ?

peasandbeans · 09/03/2011 14:44

We have 4dc under 6 and a seven seater (Renault grand scenic) which has solved the problem for us.

But we live abroad and so when we are back in the UK visiting my parents who have a five seater there is no way we can reasonably get all the correct car seats in. We did with great difficulty manage to squeeze in one toddler seat and two boosters (so we had a three year old on a booster), but it was hell getting everyone strapped in as there was no space between the seats to fit a hand to buckle in.

We discovered that the best solution was to strap the boosters in first and then let the children wiggle in under the strap.

I have also heard that it is possible to buy seatbelt extenders which might help, but I have no experience.

welshandproud · 09/03/2011 16:31

We have a Honda FRV which has 6 seats. It fits 3 car seats in the back comfortably and has a huge boot,although as we have 4 DCs we need a roof box for most trips and are even considering a trailer for camping!. Unfortunately they stopped production last year but there are still plently out there. The Middle seat in the front is very comfortable and it's a much more attractive car than the only other 6 seater on the market, Fiat Multipla.

PrincessScrumpy · 09/03/2011 20:42

I've had 2 toddler seats and a baby seat in the back of my Touran and they fitted easily - no wriggling necessary - maxi cosi cabrio, a tobi and a priori xp. Have also tried a priori xp with 2 cabrios and that was fine too.

Fandangos · 11/05/2011 20:57

SwellyBelly

I am in almost exactly the same position as you; twins expected in August, and my daughter will be 3 and 10 months at that point. We really needed to change our car, as it was a Toyota Auris and we were pretty sure 3 children and a double buggy weren't going to fit in the car comfortably.
We went for the Toyota Verso, which, as I'm sure has been said, has 3 separate seats in the back, which means you can fit 3 car seats in the back and one useful piece of advice I read on another forum was to slide one of the seats in the back forward or backward slightly for ease of clipping seat belts in place, so we'll prob try that.
We'll be using 2 maxi cosi cabriofix and either a maxi cosi rodi or britax kidfix.
Aaah, fun and games! All the best with the rest of the pregnancy, I too am a veryswellybelly!

PrincessScrumpy · 12/05/2011 10:06

We have a VW Touran - dd1 is 3 and twins due in Sept. It will fit dd's maxi cosi Priori XP and 2 cabriofix seats. Plus space for a double buggy in the back and if I want to take a friend out for dd1 there are extra seats in the back. I had a Clio and dh has a Fiesta so when looking for a new car we chose a big one (knowing we wanted a second child and space for luggage for holidays). We had a Touran as a hire car in France and loved it so decided to go for it. That was 18 months ago and so before we had a clue about expecting twins - so glad we did.

I've heard Picassos are good too.

Congrats on your twin pg!

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