car seat questions

[keli]

I've got a 3 door rav 4 and was wondering which seat will be best safety wise to pop the car seat on? either back or passenger? will be alot easier for me to use passenger. ( can see baby and won't have to climb into back) i know i'll have to get the airbag disabled if i go for passenger side. Plus i've got curtain side airbags in front and back do you need to get them disabled aswel? Sorry just one more question but when i tried the car seat the other day it wasn't totally stable there was a bit of movement.. is that normal? Thanks for your replies in advance xx

 

[Nicola]

Chairs that face backwards have to go in the back.
Chairs that face forwards can go front or back - if in the front the airbag must be switched off.

 

[Krystal]

Chairs that face backwards have to go in the back.
Chairs that face forwards can go front or back - if in the front the airbag must be switched off.

Are you sure? With my rear facing car seat you could have it in the front seat but as mentioned the air bag needs turning off.

Rearward facing car seats can be fitted in the front or back passenger seats. However a baby seat must NEVER be fitted on the front seat of a car with a passenger airbag. It is safest to always fit the car seat in the rear of the car if possible

Source

I've got a 3 door rav 4 and was wondering which seat will be best safety wise to pop the car seat on? either back or passenger?

Back seat is the safest. Make sure if you do use front seat airbags have been switched off correctly.

when i tried the car seat the other day it wasn't totally stable there was a bit of movement.. is that normal?

My car seat moves a little bit but it shouldn't move too much. If your unsure go to Halfords and they will check it has been fitted correctly.

 

[Rachel]

My rear facing car seat can be used in the front or back. If it's in the front then the airbag has to be turned off. The back is still the safest place for the car seat to be though

My car seat with Nathan moved slightly but not much, same with my new car seat when I have tried it out. Abit of movement is ok but if it's moving alot and dosen't feel secure then take it somewere who fits them to check it's fitted correctly

 

[lisa282]

We were advised when I had my first baby that even though you can turn off the airbags in the front of the car and put your infant carrier on the passenger seat, the gas canisters can still go off behind the airbag if you have a bump, so it is always safer to put them in the rear. I agree its much easier and far less hassle to use the front seat, but for my own peace of mind and safety reasons I have always used the back of the car for my sons seats. We have had several 2 door cars along the way and it has been a bit awkward sometimes getting him in and out, but at least I know he is safe and secure.

 

[Sherlock]

Safety wise the back seat with a rear facing car seat is the safest place for baby. Statistics and testing wise have shown this. I know 3 door cars can be a pain, but I'd still opt for the back seat over front for as long as possible.

With regard to the movement, if you have the car seat professionally fitted they can tell you what is decent movement wise. Too much and its not considered safe. Also a certain percentage of the baby's seat has to be in contact with the actual car seat for it to be considered a good fit. Something like at least 50% (don't quote me on the actual amount). Anything less than this and its not doing its job properly. This is where we had the most problems finding any car seat to fit our car.

Again, professional fitting (which is always safer IMHO) will soon tell you if your preferred car seat is a good fit etc for you car.

 

[keli]

THanks ladies safety is obviously my main priority so back seat it is will take a trip to halfords aswell just to check xx