Car Seat Configuration for 2 Kids

**AttyGrl74** · 03-03-2006, 09:03 AM

(I searched back about 12 pages - couldn't find a similar thread)

#2 is coming in May. #1 will be 20 months.

We have a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

#1 is in a Britax Marathon and #2 will be in a Peg Primo Viaggio.

Thoughts on how to place the kiddos?

I'm thinking #1 in the Britax will go behind the passenger seat and #2 will either go in the middle or behind me, depending how how #1 behaves toward #2.

(eta - or do I just give up and get the minivan?

)

**magdesilver** · 03-03-2006, 09:07 AM

The least protected child (which is your older DD) should go in the middle if possible, so I'd put your older DD in the middle in her Marathon, and the infant on one of the sides. If they can't be right next to each other, then one on each outboard side.

**cece** · 03-03-2006, 09:54 AM

we also had ds in the prima viaggio and now in the marathon. he's always been behind the passenger seat so i can reach back and access him easiest. also, his legs are long and he pushes against the seat and that would drive me crazy if he were behind me. i plan to put the new baby (coming in july) behind me (the driver's side), but may put him in the middle if that works out better.

i have a volvo so i feel really secure having them on either side instead of the middle if need be. i've been hit in an intersection on the passenger side by a car going at least 50 mph (pre-kid) in my last volvo, and there was a dent on the outside but you couldn't tell that anything had happened to the vehicle on the inside. i'll more than likely own volvo's for the rest of my life.

btw-congratulations!

**amypooh** · 03-03-2006, 04:12 PM

We have ours on either side not next to each other. We tried having the two seats together but Kailey was always trying "help" with brother's paci and pissing him off royal. Or pointing to his eyes and saying eyes louder and louder until I'd acknowledge what she was doing.

So now they are separated by a DMZ in the middle of the car and no one gets their eyes poked out or pacifiers stolen now.

And really with two its just easiest to have them on the outsides so you're not reaching over one to put the other in.

**BooeyJ2** · 03-03-2006, 04:44 PM

I don't have 2, but when my sister has both kids (my DD who is almost 1 and her DS who is almost 17 months) in her car, they are next to each other (DD on the outboard - RF and her son in the middle FF). For the most part they are pretty good and even are cute when they "play", but sometimes he hits her or takes whatever she has (sippy cup, toy, etc) and then they both end up pissed.

My fear for putting a toddler right next to a newborn would be:

A) What if the toddler decides to throw or drop his/her sippy cup (or other hard object) at or on the baby?
B) Like amypooh mentioned, the toddler trying to "help", but actually making things worse.

yesterday my nephew was mad because my sister wouldn't give her a drink of her soda....so what does he do?.....he hits my daughter. She didn't do anything to him...but she gets the short end of the stick every time he's mad. He just reaches over and hits her

So IF we decide to ever have another, more than likely we will have the 2 seats on the outboards to reduce the chance of typical toddler behavior

**Phen** · 03-03-2006, 05:04 PM

We have the boys by the windows. Aside from it just not being a good idea for these boys to be within reaching distance of eachother, our car's LATCH setup doesn't allow for two carseats to be hooked up to a single LATCH hook, which is what would happen if we tried to put one carseat in the center.

~ Phen

**AlisonCO** · 03-03-2006, 07:22 PM

We have the boys by the windows. Aside from it just not being a good idea for these boys to be within reaching distance of eachother, our car's LATCH setup doesn't allow for two carseats to be hooked up to a single LATCH hook, which is what would happen if we tried to put one carseat in the center.

Ditto! Also we put DD (in the infant seat and rear facing in her convertible) behind the passenger because DH couldn't put the seat back enough with her behind him when he drives.

**magdesilver** · 03-04-2006, 06:25 AM

Most cars with LATCH do not allow for a center LATCH install (kind of dumb, since it's the safest position for a carseat, dontcha think?). Anyhow, you can always install with the seatbelt in the center. Remember that LATCH is not better in terms of installation methods or safety, but it often is easier to get a tight install using LATCH.

**mamax2** · 03-04-2006, 08:04 AM

Also we put DD (in the infant seat and rear facing in her convertible) behind the passenger because DH couldn't put the seat back enough with her behind him when he drives.

Exactly the same set-up w/us for the same reason. Baby in infant seat behind passenger, DD1 behind driver in FF Britax Roundabout.

**MrsTazlvr** · 03-04-2006, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by BooeyJ2

My fear for putting a toddler right next to a newborn would be:

A) What if the toddler decides to throw or drop his/her sippy cup (or other hard object) at or on the baby?
B) Like amypooh mentioned, the toddler trying to "help", but actually making things worse.

We have DDs next to each window because of how they had to be installed. They didn't fit next to each other. But DD #1 can still throw her toys, etc. on DD #2 so we made a rule a few months BEFORE DD #2 came that DD #1 can't have cups or hard toys in the car. We made the rule long before DD #2 came so DD #1 wouldn't associate not being able to have a cup or a toy with the new baby. She still puts her soft dolls on the baby but it's better than a sippy cup. Good luck.