Seat belt for middle position? Plus another ?

[zmo]

Hello! I have a Britax RA55 and I like to keep it in the middle of the backseat. We just got a new car and in the manual it says the latch system can only be used on the seats next to the car doors. I just wanted to make sure I can use the seat belt to safely secure DD's carseat in the middle position or if I should go ahead and move it to the window seat. It is not just a lap belt, but goes over shoulder and across the chest. We now have a 2011 Subaru Impreza wagon and my daughter is 20 months about 33 1/2'' tall and 29 pounds and RFing. Thank you and sorry if this is redundant, I searched and just wanted to be more specific for our situation.

Also, we have moved into the PNW and now that my daughter likes to get dirty and muddy, is there any kind of towel or blanket I can tightly put on the seat (NOT CAR SEAT) to protect it from muddy/sandy boots that won't be some kind of suffocation/strangulation hazard?

[Mom2Connor]

Yes you can use the seatbelt in the middle. They tell you about the latch because some cars allow you to use the inner lower ancho from each side to latch in the middle, but many vehicles and seats don't allow it. Just do a normal seatbelt install.

[Dory]

What mom2Connor said. and yes, a thin towel is fine. We have a lot of extra plain t shirts and I use one of those.

[lilychic4]

LATCH anchors are rated (in most vehicles) to 40lbs. Seat belts are rated to 200lbs. A tight install with seat belt is 100% as safe as a tight install with LATCH.
If you have moveable headrests, try tucking a towel or blanket under the headrest to protect the vehicle seat. It's okay to fold any extra towel under the foot part of the car seat. Verify your install is right (less than 1" movement front to back and side to side at the seat belt path) then tuck your protector down where you need it.