3 carseats.....can it be done?

[farmfresh]

we have a booster seat and 2 carseats (one rear facing) in the back of our old buick. its a super tight squeeze. we are looking at trading vehicles and are interested in the new VW passat (mainly for mileage). does anyone know if 3 carseats will work in the back of it? or can someone tell me which carseats/booster seats are out there that are the smallest across, so that we may be able to make it happen? my 2 year old will probably turn 3 before we trade vehicles, and i cant remember what the age/size requrirements are for a booster seat, so, he may be able to move up to a booster. the baby will be a year before we trade for sure, so he could be turned around forward facing by that time.

[sisu]

You should ask this in the car sear forum.

[4boys1girlforme]

Well I think you have about 56.7 inches of rear hip room- hard to find for sure- especially without knowing the year of the Passat.

A rear facing seat in the middle would actually probably be helpful because the seats should puzzle together better. A Diono Radian is a very narrow high weight harnessing seat and would be easier (and safer) for your almost 3 year old because you wouldn't have to try to buckle a belt between the seats. Also as far as belt positioning boosters for your oldest child the Graco turbobooster is fairly narrow.

Great price on the Radian- also they have a 10 year expiration so you would definitely get your moneys worth!
http://www.albeebaby.com/diono-radia...eat-stone.html

[farmfresh]

oops! i thought i was in the carseat forum! sorry! anyway, it would likely be a 2012 or maybe 2013, as we're still a while from being 'ready to buy'.

[MamaLump]

Originally Posted by farmfresh he may be able to move up to a booster. the baby will be a year before we trade for sure, so he could be turned around forward facing by that time.

The new recommendations are to keep a child rear-facing until 2 years of age. Do a you tube search for rear-facing vs forward-facing crash testing and you'll want to turn your oldest back around.

[4boys1girlforme]

Originally Posted by MamaLump The new recommendations are to keep a child rear-facing until 2 years of age. Do a you tube search for rear-facing vs forward-facing crash testing and you'll want to turn your oldest back around.

I was just looking this up- we ERF anyways but here are HSTSA recommendations:
"For instance, the safety agency recommends using the restraints in the rear-facing position as long as children fit within the height and weight limits of the car seat as established by the manufacturer. The rear-facing position reduces stresses to the neck and spinal cord and is particularly important for growing babies.

NHTSA said that its new guidelines are consistent with the latest advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which advises parents to keep kids in rear-facing restraints until two years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer. There is no need to hurry to transition a child to the next restraint type."

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Pre...eat+Guidelines