Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

OK. I have DS (2 years 9 months) and twin due any day.

I drive a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The middle row has 2 captain chairs. The third row only has the latch system in the middle seat.

Right now I have the infant carriers in the captains chairs and DS in the third row. But it is really a PITA getting past the infant carrier to the 3rd row to buckle him in (maybe that will improve once my belly goes down).

Additionally, anytime he asks me for something I really can't get it to him in the third row.

So, how do you (or would you) have it set up with this situation?

Should I put one of the infant carriers in the 3rd row and put DS back in a captain chair? I know I'd have an easier time walking past DS Britax than the infant carrier, but would it be hard to walk past with the infant carrier?

eta - is it even safe for a newborn/infant to be in the 3rd row?

Message edited 3/29/2011 9:26:20 AM.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I would talk to Smiley and see how she had it set up. I think I would put the oldest in the back though. It does sound like a huge PIA though

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I'd put DS in the 3rd row.

When you put them in the car, put one baby in their seat, then DS gets in on the side that the infant base is on, and then you can buckle him. Then put the last baby in.

If you're by yourself, you can do this, but instead of leaving the 2nd baby outside the car to buckle DS, put the carseat in the front seat until you're ready to click the seat in the base.

Message edited 3/29/2011 9:31:23 AM.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I have Landon in the back row on the side. I have the babies in the 2nd row captains chairs, but I have the chairs pushed together so the "aisle" to the back is on the side where the car seat is. SO easy this way for strapping him in! Landon got used to not being able to ask for things while I'm driving.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I have an odyssey, so I don't know if you can do the same thing - but I have the captain's chair behind the passenger seat moved over to the middle position (took out the middle "jump" seat), and have one of the convertible seats in the 3rd row on the passenger side. I also only have latch in the middle of the 3rd row, so the seat is in with the seat belt, not latch. I took it to to Chris the car seat guy, and this is how he configured them, I had no idea what to do with 3 seats either.

So the second row has 1 convertible seat and the infant carrier, the infant carrier is in the captains chair moved to the middle position, and the convertible seat is in the captains seat behind the driver.

The third row has one convertible seat on the passenger side.

With the one seat moved over and the seat in the third row being on the passenger side, I have some access to DD1 who sits in the third row.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

We have the Honda Oydessy. We moved the two captain seats together towards the driver side and put 4-year old DD in the third row passenger side. Moving the seats allowed for an aisle on that side of the car so I can get back there to help her get buckled in.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I have the Odyssey and plan to have Ryan in the 3rd row. He is now more than ever excited for this baby b/c he is dying to sit back there
Do your captains sets slide together? I think if it's going to be a PITA for me to go between the seats to get to Ryan, I'll push the second row together and go that way, KWIM?

ETS: I have already been prepping him that I cannot help him back there. I already make a big deal that I am driving and unable to hand him things or get things for him.

Message edited 3/29/2011 10:40:32 AM.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I agree with those who advised to put the captain's seats together. I have my infant behind the driver. My older girls (ages 5.5 and almost 4) are in the back. The younger one is still in a carseat; she's on the passenger side and with the "aisle" on the side of the vehicle, it's so easy to buckle her in. Older DD buckles herself in the booster seat.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

My captains chairs do not slide together, so unfortunately, its not an option.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I have a Chevy Traverse..

my DD (2) is on the passenger side in her seat, DS (6) is in a booster in the 3rd row and he buckles himself and DD (4) is in her booster behind my driver side and she buckles herself as well.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Posted by sunflowerjesss

OK. I have DS (2 years 9 months) and twin due any day.

I drive a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The middle row has 2 captain chairs. The third row only has the latch system in the middle seat.

Right now I have the infant carriers in the captains chairs and DS in the third row. But it is really a PITA getting past the infant carrier to the 3rd row to buckle him in (maybe that will improve once my belly goes down).

Additionally, anytime he asks me for something I really can't get it to him in the third row.

So, how do you (or would you) have it set up with this situation?

Should I put one of the infant carriers in the 3rd row and put DS back in a captain chair? I know I'd have an easier time walking past DS Britax than the infant carrier, but would it be hard to walk past with the infant carrier?

eta - is it even safe for a newborn/infant to be in the 3rd row?

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I also have a Sienna with captains chairs in the middle row...mine dont slide together but you can take the seat on the passenger side and unlatch it and move it in the center leaving me a path on the passenger side. Are you positive that the 2011 model can't?

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I can't see anything on the Toyota website that says you can move the seat position, but that would DEFINITELY help out.

OK the safeseats are huuuuuge. And wide. Very wide. Widest infant seats out there I believe

There may be a way to do

SS|empty|SS
Empty|empty|RA

and have some room in the middle if they are done with a seat belt rather than LATCH. It would require them being a slight bit more towards the edges of the seats. If you need more info on this FM me.

(did I mention, don't be afraid of the seat belt installs? And with the 3 seats you have? Easy peasy.)

Otherwise,

SS|Empty|Empty
RA|empty|SS

Is another option. If you are out with DH, and he is driving, this would allow you to sit in the 2nd row and tend to all 3 kids. It also allows for you to move the 2nd row outboard passengers seat completely forward to get to the 3rd row.

In this I left the center 3rd row empty so that your older child can get in/out independently of the baby and vice versa.

(Slightly OT: We bought a new infant carrier and have an extra SS base that we bought with DD1 and have never used. We bought it for MIL and it sat in the box until we got it back in December for DD2. We actually just listed on Craigslist today if you're interested)

Message edited 3/29/2011 1:00:58 PM.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

I have a 2011 Sienna.
I have the twins in the captain seats and DS in the back. I had him in the middle for awhile, now he is in a booster on the passenger side.

He adjusted quickly to not being able to have me pass him stuff! The first week or so he kept asking then he got it. I push DD (drivers side) all the way back then climb in to buckle DS. I would think getting an infant seat to the back row will be a royal PITA (actually...i know it is! LOL my sis came to visit with my nephew and he was in the infant carrier and had to go back there and it was really hard to get him in and out every time)

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

We just got the Sienna...We have my NB and my 2yo in the capatains chairs and DS(5) in the middle seat of the 3rd row...However my 5yo can buckle himself in, so thats a big help, so Im sure once your DS is doing that ( and you are no longer PG) that will make it much easier...

Also on my Sienna, the captains chairs can be put together - not sure if that would help at all though in your situation

We actualy had to stop using my DS's Britax seat (the booster w/ 5pt harness) because it was too big

Message edited 3/29/2011 7:47:27 PM.

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Re: Need car seat placement help....3 kids+

Posted by sunflowerjesss

Posted by jmf423

I have a 2011 Sienna.
I have the twins in the captain seats and DS in the back. I had him in the middle for awhile, now he is in a booster on the passenger side.

I push DD (drivers side) all the way back then climb in to buckle DS.

When you push the DD seat all the way to the back does it squish DS? DS is in the middle and if I push that seat all the way back he has nowhere to put his leg.

I love the mini van and happy with our decision, but I am quickly realizing it still isn't roomy enough!!