Baby capsule not in the middle? What the?

[lilmisspositive]

Hubby just informed that the baby capsule goes either on the left or right side of the backseat?

What the? I know its been awhile since DD 8 years.... But in Canada the RN who checked us before we left the hospital was adamant that bubs be in the middle of the back seat.

So so confused as I want bubs in the middle as it is way safer imo. Hubby argued that it would be harder to get capsule in and out?!? I said who cares.. If we were ever in an accident bubs would be safer there.

Please tell me what we are supposed to do? Or I might not have a choice as the bolt is on the left and right, he has just informed me!

[Ahurani]

We have it in the middle. You can put another anchor point in it if need be. I thought they went in the middle too

[lilmisspositive]

Thanks darlin. Dh just informed he never even looked in the backseat... Insert frustration here!! ; )

[Ahurani]

Hahahaha men

[~Lashes~]

as far as i know it has always been the middle? dd is in the middle with the boys either side now, but when bub comes ill have her seat rear-facing in the middle and dd & ds2 on either side. hopefully we will have a 3rd row seat in the wagon for ds1 by then.
ive always been told that babies had to be in the middle?? maybe check your states road laws on carseats?

[Livinthedream]

I had mine on the passenger side. TBH, I dont see how there is any difference between putting a baby on the side to putting a toddler on the side. In a side impact accident, both are equally dangerous. Infact, I would have thought with the inserts in the capsule (head ones) and the fact that bubs is more coccooned in a capsule, it would be safer to have bubs on the outside and your toddler in the middle.
JMO

ETA LOL, just saw the above post ^^what nickle said^^^

[Arimeh]

We put ours on the side because we can't put the drivers seat all the way back if it's in the middle, so then DH can't drive.

I think it's fine wherever you put it, but just keep in mind that it will be harder to get the baby in the middle just after your c-section my lovely xxxx

[lilmisspositive]

Ah too right Mel. Mind you not sure if I will be able to drive.. We do not have a teether in the middle anyways.. Dh is being his usual pregnant self and throwing a tanty over this as they will now have to take the hilux (2010) in and pull it up apart to put one in! Yaaa right. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Also searched many different sites. Rta. RCQ and Qld government. Heaps of info on other states and placement but not Qld. Frustrated to say the least.

As for research no clue, just know that 40% of accidents are side impact. Probably because it was told me to all the years ago and everyone I know has them in the middle back home, I am just accustomed to that being the "only" way. Obviously isn't. : )

To be honest, now I am over it already... just put the bloody seat in. DD sits in the front now...

Thanks ladies as per usual, you guys rock. xx

[*EJ*]

When we had DS1 he was in the middle. When DS2 came along they were on both passenger sides. When DD arrived i had all seats installed professonally and he recommended that the capsule go on the passenger side, DS2 is in the middle and DS1 in his booster + harness is behind the driver. It is easier in our situation to have the capsule on the side, it really can get quite heavy but having the two boys side by side can get a bit crazy if they're moody and start agrivating eachother.

[leckert]

There is also some concern if you have the split back seat 60/40 thing with possible middle seat for the capsule. We went for passenger side for the capsule and passenger side for the reversible seat (separate cars) because we had split seats

[Pretty Butterfly]

Ok, years ago the safest place was behind the driver.. it was in an NRMA study.... reasons being...

*in the middle... any thing coming through the front window has straight access to baby... and baby has no protection from a seat in front of him/her, meaning straight out the window....

* behind passenger/behind driver... apparently when in an accident, a driver instictivly turns AWAY from the danger (why we hear of driver fine/passenger died etc) so behind them places them safer than behind passenger, who has a much higher percetnatage of danger/death....

But this was a few years ago...

With 3 in car seats, soon to be 4, I have to put them where they will fit though!!! But I always put my little ones behind the driver.. I find as a passenger I can get them better there anyway....

[*EJ*]

Yes it can be difficult if you are tall and need to put the seat back to drive. We were told that the front seat should never actually be touching the capsule either

[black_rose]

They can go wherever you decide you want them to be. I have three kids so the capsule is on the passenger side so I can see him, he is away from dd2 who loves to poke him and I can get the capsule in and out easily.

[Janie]

They can go wherever you decide you want them to be. I have three kids so the capsule is on the passenger side so I can see him, he is away from dd2 who loves to poke him and I can get the capsule in and out easily.

[nickle730]

Legally, the capsule can be installed in any position... as long as it is correctly installed! I am not aware of any research that says the middle is safer than either side, although it is a common belief. Perhaps someone will come in with some factual research??

We have the capsule behind the passenger seat in my car as there is not enough room behind the drivers seat (so also in the middle). The passenger seat is pushed quite far forward to accommodate the capsule. As I have a back injury, I would have a lot of trouble getting the capsule out of the middle. I have three kids, so all positions in the back are filled with a capsule, a Maxirider and a Hi-Liner. You know, someone has to sit on the side and I value all my kids the same!! In fact, the capsule offers the best side impact protection of all the seats so it's probably the best one to have on a side!

[Lily Dust]

Legally, the capsule can be installed in any position... as long as it is correctly installed!

Yep, thats it in a nutshell. My mum fits baby capsules through work and it can go anywhere in the backseat. Obviously the passangers side or middle is preferred as its not the roadside and it would be 'better' to put an older child there.

[ubba82]

My newborns have always gone behind the passenger seat. It makes it easier to get them in and out of the car and they are curbside.
As i had more kids and they got older, the youngest is behind the passenger, my 5yo is in the middle (he can just climb over to the front and get out the passenger side) and my 9 yo sits behind the driver.
I had VB but i still suffered a very sore back for months afterwards, i wouldnt have coped very well getting a capsule in and out of the middle seat.

[~Kim~]

I have no research either but I've been on the road a long time and been to plenty of prangs. The middle is definitely not my choice for the positioning of a baby. I don't like DD sitting there now and she's nearly 5.

eta I realise that someone has to sit there when you have 3 though.