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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Newborn car seats...

18 replies

MillyStar · 07/03/2012 16:22

...VERY silly question coming from someone who is 35 weeks pregnant tomorrow!

I've always thought that newborn car seats went in the back but someone has just told me they're in the front seat!

Which is it?

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boringnamechange · 07/03/2012 16:27

As long as there is no air bag in the front passenger seat you can put baby there. My first car had no air bag so dd1 was in front with me but second car had one so dd2 was in back.

piprabbit · 07/03/2012 16:29

I put mine in the back, I felt I would be distracted if I could see the baby all the time as I was driving.
I did invest on one of the little mirrors that let's you see into a rear-facing car seat in the back, just for reassurance.

KatAndKit · 07/03/2012 16:37

Most cars now have front passenger airbags. Therefore the baby should be in the back seat. It has been quite a while since I had a car that didn't have front passenger airbags so I imagine having the baby in the back behind the passenger seat is now the norm.

PickleSarnie · 07/03/2012 16:40

You should be able to switch the airbag off it you need to put the seat in the front or if you drive a shiny sports car!

TinkerMaloo · 07/03/2012 16:41

My newborn (when he/she arrives) is going to have to go in the front as its the only way we can all fit in the car! You can turn off the front passenger airbag (in ours anyway, think you can in all cars?...)

It is safest in the back though!

VickityBoo · 07/03/2012 16:42

Front is fine without airbag, but I preferred the back due to distraction like others have mentioned.

KatAndKit · 07/03/2012 16:42

Thing is, you can't turn it on and off at will can you? So if you were driving somewhere without the baby in the front and with a different front passenger, they wouldn't have the protection of the airbag if it has been disabled.

I agree that the back seems safest if possible.

izzybizzybuzzybees · 07/03/2012 16:45

In our car, a Honda jazz, there is a key switch at passenger door that you turn on or off to suit. It's quick and simple but I guess you could forget easily and would be a problem with baby in front and it ON or adult passenger and it OFF.

So for that reason its better and safer in the back I think

piprabbit · 07/03/2012 16:47

My car's front air bags can be switched off by putting the car key into a special lock by the door frame - so, yes, in my case the air bag can be switched on and off at will.
I think other cars can only have the airbag disabled by a garage.

4madboys · 07/03/2012 16:48

you can turn it on adn off at will, its quite simple if you have someone who needs the airbag you turn it on when you get in the car, ours is a button by the door? you need the kety to activate it or turn it off, so depending on who is sitting where we turn it off, or did when dd was little and in a rf seat, now she is in the back.

but i think statistically the back is safest :)

4madboys · 07/03/2012 16:48

oh and we have a light taht signals whether the bag is on or off and the car tells you when you start the engine with a 'voice' so you are always reminded :)

ThePetiteMummy · 07/03/2012 16:50

I definitely think they're safest in the back. We got a little mirror that you can attach to the rear seat headrest, so you can see the baby's face in the rear view mirror. I think the baby needs to be in the seat behind the passenger seat for this.

VickityBoo · 07/03/2012 16:51

In my xara Picasso I can just turn it off with my key and same to enable it again. Easy and takes seconds.

KatAndKit · 07/03/2012 16:57

Ah right I didn't know that. I don't think my car has that feature, will have to get the manual out. I was assuming you took it to the garage to get the airbag disabled.

VickityBoo · 07/03/2012 17:01

Well it's not a car age thing as mine is quite old, it's an X so that is late 1990's.

KatAndKit · 07/03/2012 17:02

Oooh perhaps mine can do it after all. Will definitely be looking this up as it might come in handy. Thanks :)

heartmoonshadow · 08/03/2012 08:45

Someone I know has a SMART car so only a front seat but interestingly she can't turn off the airbag so until her child is in a proper front facing seat she can't use her car! She is getting around it by using her DH Merc whilst he uses hers but as he is 6ft 7in it is a hilarious compromise!

RealLifeIsForWimps · 08/03/2012 13:36

Another factor to consider is if you are using an Isofix base or similar, not all cars have the rings (that you attach the base to) in the front passenger seat. I know not all newborn car seats use a base, but if you do want to use one, that would be a consideration.

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