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Original poster

How can I fit 3 under fives in to a car?

61 replies

Moosy · 04/04/2009 14:01

DC3 is due in DEcember by which time DD1 will be 4.3 and DD2 will be 2.10, they're both quite small so will both be in the seats they're in now (Britax first class and Concord Ultimax (not that colour though!)). We have a Skoda Octavia estate and there isn't space for a little infant carrier type in the back between the two seats we already have so I don't know what to do!

We might have to change the car but really don't want a people carrier if we can help it and DH refuses to buy certain car makes (Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, Fiat).

Soooooo, what do you suggest?

OP posts:
Original poster
Moosy · 04/04/2009 18:41

Are you not allowed to put a forward facing child in the front with an airbag?

OP posts:
herbietea · 04/04/2009 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sazm · 04/04/2009 18:54

not if you have a spare seat in the back,as its not safe,

Original poster
Moosy · 04/04/2009 18:57

Bugger.

Best get DD1 fattened up and into the next stage seat then, I think we'll have a better chance of fitting them in then.

OP posts:
sazm · 04/04/2009 20:06

lol,why not put the infant carrier in the middle, and a highback booster (possibly the ones from argos/mothercare with the 5 point harness) at either side, that was they are still in a harness??

CherryChoc · 04/04/2009 20:10

Her DD2 will only be 2.10 though, I think that might be illegal.

sazm · 04/04/2009 20:15

what might be illegal?

ChippyMinton · 04/04/2009 20:23

try this or ring their customer services for expert knowledge.

Surely it's cheaper and easier to purchase new seats to fit your car (and your children) than to buy a new car?

FWIW I have a mondeo estate and have had every combination of three seats in the back so far, currently have 3 high back boosters.

callmeovercautious · 04/04/2009 20:28

Yes - 2 Brittax and a maxi cosi cabrio here as well. We have a Citreon as well though

Original poster
Moosy · 04/04/2009 20:33

Sazm I did wonder about those boosters with straps but everywhere I look I see bad reviews about them

Chippy, of course it is! But if it can't be done then that would be plan B.

OP posts:
littleducks · 04/04/2009 20:37

children can go in the front seat in apropriate car seat at any www.childcarseats.org.uk/law/index.htmage

StudentMadwife · 04/04/2009 20:43

This? www.multimac.co.uk/car_seat_range

InTheScrum · 04/04/2009 20:47

Not read the thread, but what about two in the back and one in the boot?
Preferably one who makes the least noise? Otherwise you'd get funny looks at traffic lights or petrol stations.

StudentMadwife · 04/04/2009 20:54

hahaha

sazm · 04/04/2009 20:59

lol,
legal or not though,none of the kids should be in the front if there is an airbag,as it could actually kill them,

the multimac thing is dearer than buying a new car!!

the argos boosters are better though than putting them in a stage 3 seat if they are not heavy enough,and it would give you space for the lo,

how heavy are they just now?

housingdilemia · 04/04/2009 21:10

i think we will have to agree to disagree

rear facing car seats are not allowed in the front as it could kill the child and so is illegal

with front facing car seats and boosters seats the advice from the manufacturers of the cars and seats is the seat should be pushed as far back as possible

i keep my children in the back in their rear facing car seats as it is safer i believe in general terms but if for some reson one had to go in the front (i had a car full of kids) then i would put the oldest child/one whos seat fitted best in the front,

sazm · 04/04/2009 21:16

sorry dont quite know what you are agreeing to disagree over?

how can you possibly think its safer to put the 4.3yr old(who her mother says is tiny) in the front with an airbag, rather than buying her a new carseat which would keep her in the back seat away from the airbag?

FairLadyOfMuslinCloth · 04/04/2009 21:17

actually....rearfacing carseats are fine in the front as long as there isn't an airbag...
isn't the rule, if you have to have a carseat (forward facing now) and have airbag, than the seat needs to pushed towards backseats as far as possible...or am I imagining thing now?

sazm · 04/04/2009 21:25

yes rearfacing seats are fine so long as there is no airbag,thats where i have my baby in the car,
yes if you must use a forward facing seat in the front with an airbag then it must be pushed as far back as poss,
the reason for that is that the airbag is a danger to children,thats why they are safer in the back.

Original poster
Moosy · 04/04/2009 22:50

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeep! Stop arguing!!!!!!!!!!

"the argos boosters are better though than putting them in a stage 3 seat if they are not heavy enough,and it would give you space for the lo,

how heavy are they just now?"

Good point, and at £40 it's not going to break the bank. Blimey, I'm going to end up with car seats coming out of my ears!

Not sure how heavy DD1 is, about 29-30lbs I guess, will weigh her tomorrow if I remember...

OP posts:
sazm · 04/04/2009 22:57

lol,stuff like this always causes arguements,

weigh them both and see what your options are after that ( my youngest is a good bit heavier than my oldest lol)

sarahx

Original poster
Moosy · 05/04/2009 08:38

Weighed this morning - DD1 = 30lb, DD2 = 26lbs.

DD1 has some growing to do!

OP posts:
sazm · 05/04/2009 17:10

hmm lol,so they would both need to be in the argos style seats then with the harness,
i would give that a try as they are quite narrow,even for the eldest,
could one of your group 1 seats go in the middle,with one off those highback boosters at one side and an infant carrier at the other side?

the other thing is, is your dh always in the car with you?

Original poster
Moosy · 05/04/2009 17:17

DH isn't always with us but quite often and we only have 1 car.

I think we'll try one Argos-style seat in the middle with existing seats on either side, one of them facing backwards for DC3. If that fails then we'll have to try another Argos one or an infant carrier.

OP posts:
BibiThree · 05/04/2009 17:22

We have a Toyota Corolla Verso which fits the DTs (20m) forrward facing baby seats and dd1s (4) hugh backed booster. There also wasn't a problem when the dts were in rear facing seats.