Where do you put your infant's car seat?

Question

I know you have to put it in the back seat of your vechicle, but do you put it behind the drivers seat or passengers?

Answer 1

middle

Answer 2

If possible in the middle, if not then behind the passenger may be safer because 1) the driver can see that seat 2) There is always a passenger in the driver seat and during an accident an occupied front seat is at a higher risk of breaking

http://www.carseat.org/Technical/tech_update.htm#seatpos
In general, the single safest place in the car is the center rear seat, because it is farthest from the outside of the vehicle. In any given crash, however, a different seat may be the safest, such as a left outboard seat in a right side impact. There are several reasons the center seat may not be an option. Many small cars do not have center seats; it is sometimes not possible to tightly install a CR in the center rear; belt-positioning boosters require lap-shoulder belts, which may not be available in the center; and, if there are two children, it may be necessary to separate them for behavioral reasons or because two CRs cannot be installed next to each other. The left and right seating positions are very similar in injury risk, but the right side might be a better choice for one child with one adult. The child can see the driver and can be taken or get out of the car on the side where there is no traffic. Using the center or right rear seat will also minimize the chance of injury to the child from driver seatback collapse in a severe rear impact. Although most vehicles do not have LATCH anchors for the center seating position, CRs equipped with LATCH can still be installed in the center with the vehicle belt and a top tether, if appropriate.

A difficult choice for an older child is when the seating positions available are a lap-only belt in back or a lap-shoulder belt in front, with or without a belt-positioning booster. The child in the lap-belt has an increased risk of injury because there is no upper torso restraint, while the child in the front seat has an increased risk of injury because she is sitting in the more dangerous seating position. Overall, field data suggest that the injury risk for a child properly restrained in the front seat is about the same as the child improperly restrained (lap-belt only) in the back seat. Both choices are riskier than a properly restrained child in the rear seat. (7/06)

Answer 3

I have to put mine behind the driver's or passenger seat because the center of my back seat doesn't have the tethers and anchor straps that are on the sides. I would like to use the center position because it just seems safer than the sides, but I don't have that option. If I had known this when we were shopping for cars, I would have made sure that we could use the center position before buying a new car. So, now I'm stuck and have to work with what I have.

I read an article on car seat safety and they just said back seat, with no mention of which side or center was preferred.

Answer 4

I can't believe so many people don't put their baby in the middle!!! I can understand if there is no seat belt then you have to use another place but the MIDDLE is the safest place for an infant or any child for that matter. They are farther away from the door just in case you get hit from the side. You don't want the metal from your car jamming into your baby or child. If you have more then one then obviously you have no choice. If you want to be able to see your baby you can purchase a mirror that attaches to the back seat so you can look in your rear view mirror at the baby mirror. Your eyes on the road and your rear view mirror is a way better way to check on your baby rather then turning around all the time. Best of Luck to you!!!!!

Answer 5

You put the car seat in the middle because that way, if there were an accident and a car hit the side of the side of your car, the baby would get the least impact.

Answer 6

Whichever is easiest for you. Some put it in the center if they have a wide car and only one seat. If you need to have your seat back all the way, it may be easier to have it on the passenger side so as not to interfere with your driving or having the seat pressing against the back.

Answer 7

I put it behind the passenger's seat. (I have yet to find a car that whoever's in the seat in front of the carseat isn't crammed just a foot or so in front of the airbag with their knees to their nose!!) I'm only 5'2" and it crowds me when I am the passenger! We have a Geo Metro, a Ford Escort, and even used to have a Ford Windstar minivan. Even more ideally, you should put it in the middle seat if you have one. That way if there is a side impact then your baby is safer.

Answer 8

The safest place is in the middle, but ONLY if you have a diagonal seat belt.

Otherwise, the safest side is nearest the kerb/sidewalk, as it away from the vehicles most of the time in the event of a side impact.

My first daughter went kerbside and she has stayed there even though my second daughter is now here, as i didn't feel I could swap her as if a baby is more important than her - not that she is more important, but I have two kids, and two sides and I kept her where she was.....!

Answer 9

When I had the 1st one i put him in the middle. Now I have 4 so they are all in the back seat.

Answer 10

I know alot of people put theirs in the middle (in case of a car accident, slamming into either side of your car. But my car doesnt have the tethers (sp?) in the middle so I have mine behind the passenger seat so I can see her.

Answer 11

In the center of the back seat. Go to the police or fire station - most are trained to correctly install your seat for you. Just make sure that you put it in the CENTER, and that it's tightened down as much as humanly possible!!