Baby or 7yo in front seat of car?

[Phuquocdreams]

Shortly to have 3rd child. Dh getting a big car which we can use for motorway/long trips, but I will have a smaller car to be used for urban trips (mostly 1.5mile school trip once or twice a day). Would you put newborn or 7 yo in front seat?

I would have newborn in their rear facing seat with airbags turned off

I would put baby in the front seat because a rear facing seat is far safer in the front than a forward facing one.

Air bag off, follow car seat instructions as to whether the baby seat should touch the dashboard or not.

I would use the bigger car as the main Carer/driver of the kids.

Ok, will put newborn in front seat.
Big car is ludicrously and impractically expensive, would be terrified trying to park it/manoeuvre it round busy narrow road at school drop off. I’m not a very confident driver, much prefer smaller car. Also I suspect I will even have to be quite firm about needing it for motorway trips by myself as my dh is very precious about it (although I’ll insist).
So small car it is!

Big car is ludicrously and impractically expensive,

Get rid of it and get a medium sized car for yourself that suits your children's needs. I wouldn't compromise my kids safety so my DH could drive a big expensive car.

I'd be changing my car to one that can comfortably fit all my children in the back. Surely it would be better to change both cars than one of you have a huge expensive car that you're scared to drive?

I wouldn't feel comfortable with this. Can you sell yours and buy a car that fits three in the back? I'm guessing you drive the kids more often.

Worst case then I would put the baby in the front with no airbag but you will have to ensure you turn it on and off each time as it will be catastrophic if you don't and have a crash.

Big new car only bought today after 6 months of obsession so can’t see him getting rid! I have to upgrade my tiny car to a medium car but it still won’t fit 3 in back. Surely any car that does is going to be a big car? I will drive children more but only while on maternity leave.

Also my eldest is a homebody so after school I can’t see us driving many places (we have park and soft play within walking distance), so much of my driving is likely to be just with baby in mornings. So ideally I would have baby in isofix in back - but at same time I can see how baby in front is probably better.

I’m likely to upgrade my car to an astra, seat Leon, Ford Focus or Honda Civic - would any of those fit 3 in back, perhaps with one narrow booster in middle as well as high backed booster and baby seat?

I think the car seats that you have are a big factor. I had a sportage and couldn't get three in the back as two of the seats were at a weird angle.

I know most people won't like my answer because "Oh no you couldn't do that." But legally, only for short journeys your allowed to put the 7 year old in the middle seat between either 2 car seats or 2 adults in the back, it's safe as the 2 car seats or adults either side will protect them from impact, and it saves on the problem of trying to squeeze 3 car seats in :) before any one replies negatively, yes I understand your views but it's perfectly legal, and telling her to put the baby in the front passenger seat is better? Did you know more accidents involve the front passenger side than anything else? The safest seat in the car has also been found to be the middle seat... so such a terrible idea I know

You could fit a multimac in the back so all three can sit there. It’s great (though not cheap).