Toddler Carseat Questions?

Without personally looking up each carseat, assuming the each child is within both the height and weight guidelines for the carseats they will be using I think this is what you should do:

1. Since the youngest child is still rear facing, he should go in the middle of the back seat and remain rear facing if his size permits. This is the safest place for kids and since he is youngest, his back/neck is the least developmentally strong and should be there.

2. 3 year old should be behind the driver seat and be forward facing as his size dictates. Behind the driver is statistically safer than behind the passenger seat and should be here if middle seat is taken.

I would guess that the ones with side protection are safer than those without.

1. the general guideline is that the child in the least protected seat goes in the center. A rear-facing seat is more protected than a forward facing harnessed seat, which is more protected than a booster seat. Practically speaking, though, when you have your kids' car seats properly installed and have them properly buckled, the differences between center and side aren't big enough to warrant losing sleep over.
2. All of the seats you mention are very safe when used properly
3. If your 3YO would fit the Boulevard, it's certainly worth a try to see how he'd fit it compared to the Radian, just check the manual to make sure that the seat is properly set for forward facing when you install it, with some seats the recline setting is for rear facing only.
HTH! and check out the forums at http://www.car-seat.org for help with car seat questions - many certified techs hang out there and they're very helpful and well-informed

I suggest that you go to http://www.car-seat.org/ and ask your questions. Car seat experts answer them on a forum. You do not have to join to ask a question. They would be happy and able to help you out. Good questions!

I believe the rear facing car seat is safest in the middle.

If your toddler needs to nap in the car, buy one of those adorable neck pillows that she can snuggle with, they really help.

EXACTLY what Elaine said! The least protected child should be in the middle, and a child who is forward facing is less protected than a forward facing child. So your 3yr old shoudl be in the middle if possible. But again, like Elaine said, its nothing to lose sleep over if they both have to be installed outboard. :)

You can always try your 3yr old in the Britax to see how he fits and if he perhaps sleeps better in it. Just make sure you read the manual, I know that our Marathon didnt' allow the recline when forward facing, but it DID have more of a recline naturally than our other seat. We have a TrueFit for our 3yr old and it has a major recline in both rear and forward facing! Its like a recliner! LOL!

In my research, the youngest child should be in the middle, then the other child behind the driver.

Why not put one kid in each row? We also have a minivan and my youngest rides in the solo seat in the middle row while my older rides in the back row in the middle.

We also have a Boulevard and my 3 year old sleeps in it forward facing. There is still some slumpiness, but she doesn't mind. Another option without switching car seats would be to give the 3 year old a pillow or two to rest their head on.

Whatever seats you normally use for the kids are probably the best choice. Then they aren't trying to fall asleep in an unfamiliar carseat and stuck in the car for a long time.

RF baby in the middle and FF toddler behind the driver's seat as the seat adds some protection from objects that could come flying from the front in the event of a crash. If he were to sit FF in the middle there is no protection at all.

Hi R.,

I recently completed Child Passenger Safety Seat training, and while I cannot provide you with "what best" without seeing the vehicle and the child car seats, I can say that you need to read the car's owner's manual along with the car seats manuals. Some cars recommend child car seats only on the outside belts, some child car seats recommend the same.

There may also be an issue with using the LATCH system and where the seats are located, an example, if you have 2 car seats, some cars do not allow a child car seat in the middle position.

During inspections, we alway look at the car's owner's manual along with the manual for the seat. Also, be aware of strap position, especially if you allow a different child to use the seat.

Lastly, please be aware of projectiles in your car. If you own a SUV, luggage and other items not tethered down can become projectiles in an accident.

Have a good trip.

R. Magby