car seat question?

[Mmolly2013]

Is it ok to put a child in the front passenger seat aslong as the airbag is off. Just want to make sure as I have a 3 door car which I would only use and my partner has a 5 door which is used for when we will all go out as a family. He is the main driver

I wont have to sell up for a 5 door will I

it is much safer for them to be in the back but yes you could use it in the front as long as the air bag was off (although some say dont use them even if the airbag is switched off as it could still be activated).

This is what the child car seats website says about switching the airbag off:

Disconnecting or switching off an airbag should be a last resort. It means that the protection offered by the airbag is lost. If there is no other option, contact the vehicle manufacturer, and consult your insurance company beforehand.

Some cars have a cut-off switch which allows an airbag to be switched on or off. The disadvantage is that you may forget to switch it back on when a different passenger is in the seat. And there may be the possibility that an airbag may go off in a crash anyway.

Some manufacturers may be prepared to disconnect an airbag or install a cut-off switch if they believe the airbag is causing an appreciable risk to the driver or passenger. They would probably require the vehicle owner to accept responsibility for the disconnection and for any effect it may have on other drivers or passengers. They may need to replace the steering wheel and/or seat belt, if they have been specifically designed and approved for use with the airbag.

The airbag should be reconnected before the car is sold.

p.s. I know a lot of people who use car seats in the back of 3 door cars so it can be done even if it is a bit awkward.

oh really I would prefer them.in back but if I can get them into the back then thats great just thought there would not be enough room to get them in.

If I put them in back can the seat face forward then or do all newborna have to face the rear

thank you

We've got a 3 door Astra and can easily get the car seat in and out, so that could be a cheaper option for you (rather than having to buy a new car!) if you want the same safety of baby being in the back.

how many children are you trying to fit in? Who are you wanting to put in the front? And yes, newborns do have to rear face until they are at least 9kgs although you can get extended rear facing seats that rear face till around the age of 4.

www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm - shows different types of car seats

oh just the one baby newborn lol

x post.

Rear facing is safest. If you're worried about not being able to see the baby you can get special mirrors that fix in the back of the car.

its just because you said 'them' that I though there might be more than one child

I have a 3 door peugot 107 and I have had toddler and baby seats in no problem. in my car its easier to put them in through the passenger side as the front seat moves further forward. also I have isofix base for the baby seat so I dont have to arse around with the seat belt.

Sorry Im tired

What is an isofix thing.

Is that expensive

it depends whether your car has isofix points as to whether you could use an isofix base. You do get other bases that fit in using the seatbelt rather than the isofix points. We have had bases that fitted with the seatbelt and have never used isofix seats

www.childcarseats.org.uk/standards/isofix.htm - explains what isofix means

What sort of car do you have? Most three doors it is easy to get a car seat in and out of the back. We did with DD1.

The best bet is to have a stage 0 seat with separate base. Then you can leave the base fitted, strap the baby into the car seat outside the car and then click the car seat into place.

Easy peasy.

I had my baby in the front. I have a discovery and wanted to be able to see him. I weighed up the pros and cons and that's what I personally felt happiest with. And yes they need to be rear facing until 9kg.

All newborns must rear face and is recommended they remain rearfacing for as long as possible.

Rearfacing seats in front is fine but only if air bag deactivated.

If putting in back a car seat base is helpful.

Britax babysafe is one of the biggest infant carriers. You can get belted or isofix bases. If likely be changing car get belted to ensure you can use it in future.

I'd save up for a four door though!

Www.Rearfacingtoddlers.com has lots of info

We've got a three door Renault Clio and DS1 went in the back, rear facing, without a problem. Didn't have isofix, just a really basic seat that was part of our pram travel system, then upgraded to a cheap forward facing seat when he got bigger. I actually found it easier with the Clio than when we borrowed a big five door car!

Having said that, we're now looking at trading up to a five door estate to make going on hols easier as DS2 will be along in 4 weeks

Why not swap cars for a year until your baby is big enough for the next stage seat? It makes more sense for the person driving the baby to have a 5 door car than the person just driving themselves.
If that is a no go then you need to go to a shop and try out the car seats and bases to see what you can get behind the passenger seat.you will probably have to put the seat far forward but if you don't have a front passenger, or one who isn't tall, this is not a problem. Some brands are bulkier than others there is bound to be one that fits.

Yes I did. Rear facing in front