thread: Baby capsule - where to install?

  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Jan 2005
    cowtown
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    Baby capsule - where to install?

    Which position can you install a capsule in, i.e. centre, left, right? Are there legal requirements?

    The lady at the shop told me Im only allowed to have it on the left or in the centre.

    I will have a maxi rider in that car for DS as well, and that would mean he'd have to get out on the right side (i.e. the road side) of the car becuase he wont be able to get past the capsule.

    I had thought I could have him nest to the door and the capsul in the middle or right side, as it will be easy enoughto get the capsule out over the maxi.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    hiding under my desk!
    1,432

    i have ds behind the driver and DD behind the passenger.

    i didnt want dd right next to ds in case he could reach and poke and prod.

    i have already thought for the next one i would have baby behind passenger DS in the middle and DD behind driver

  3. #3
    Registered User
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    Jan 2005
    cowtown
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    doudou - what side of the car does your DS get out of?
    can he get past DD to get out on the same side, or does he have to get out on the driver side?

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    Out of my mind. Back in five minutes...
    3,304

    I think there are issues with capsules (or rear facing seats) and the splits in rear seats in sedans... We had to put our rear facing seat on the left due to the split in the seats.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    1,794

    Rayray,

    Wasn't aware that there was rules, but what Rufalina said makes sense (hope that is the only reason cause we don't have split fold seats), but I am planning on putting the capsule on the driver side and DD on the passenger side. I figure the same as you, I can reach over DD if I need to, but not over capsule if I am parked on the kerbside (and the fact I like reclining the seat if we are travelling at night for a rest )

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    hiding under my desk!
    1,432

    mostly out of the drivers side but when we park on the side of the road i just un buckle him and tell him to go over to DDs side or he climbs through to the front passenger side.
    when we had the capsule in or then rearward facing seat he could climb under it(through the foot well part) i always get him out first and tell him to either hold on to the rear passenger wheel or i get him to go and touch the wall(if parked at a building)

    the only reason i didnt put capsule on the right hand sid ewas when putting them in you have to open the door completely you cant just sneak them in.iykwim

    also DS is old enough that i can tell him to wait a moment if he need something where as if i had to hand dd her dummy i could do that...

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Melbourne, ready to meet peeps IRL
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    to tell you the truth I didnt realise you werent meant to put them on the right side I always have put my babies on the right, have been pulled over for breath test while rear facing seat has been on the right and have never been told to move it to the left... dont know if this helps at all but there you have me two cents LOL

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    3,205

    When I had the capsule installed at the Ambulance with Oskar he told me that the baby always goes on the kerbside and toddler behind driver. There was a reason, however I can't remember it now. I think it's something to do with it's a little more time consuming with the baby?? I can try to remember to ask when I get the capsule done for this one.... will be a few weeks yet though. I'm a few wks ahead of you so it may allow you time to make your decision.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    ACT
    681

    I have bubs behind driver, and the 5 year old on the other side, 8 in middle. As the older two get themsleves out and do not want them to get out on the road. It takes a few seconds to take bub out.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    Melbourne, Vic
    4,338

    This is interesting, we're just about to install our capsule and we were planning to put behind the driver mainly because I didn't want DD getting out roadside. will have to look into it.

    I looked up on Vic Roads website, no mention to sides. So maybe it does have to do with the type of car not with the law as such?
    Last edited by shellbell3; February 16th, 2009 at 06:14 PM.

  11. #11
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jul 2008
    S.E. Melbourne
    802

    Rayray, we are having our capsule installed on Wednesday so will let you know what they say. I never even thought there would be an issue with which side!

  12. #12
    BellyBelly Member

    Nov 2007
    1,338

    We had a capsule installed about a month ago by Kidsafe. We have a ford falcon station wagon, with 60/40 split back seats - no cargo barrier.

    I asked where the capsule should be located, and the lady who installed the capsule told us that having it in the centre of the car was only a 1% improvement in safety compared to having the seat on either the left or the right. I asked which side the capsule should go on and she said it didn't matter. I figure Kidsafe should know what they are talking about.

    I did find this on the webhttp://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...restraints.pdf On the last page there is a list of contacts, and its probably best to call them and get the story for your state.

    BTW.. we only have one bubs and have the car seat installed behind the passenger.

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    We have DD behind the passenger seat and DS behind the driver. DS gets out roadside - but always with us, not by himself - and we still carry him out. Its rare that he will walk away from the car.

    The main reason we have DD behind the passenger seat? If her seat is behind the drivers seat - DH can't push the seat back far enough for him to drive. So thats what makes our decision - and I don't want to have to drive everywhere!

  14. #14
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    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    I've always had the capsule in the middle. Mainly coz it fit there at first I think.
    DD1 - always in the middle, When DD2 was born she went in the middle & DD1 was behind the passenger seat, then when DS went in the middle DD2 went on the passenger side & DD1 on the drivers side as when on quiet roads I can let her out on the road side as she's a bit older & when on busy roads I get her to climb over. Either over the seat in the middle or over the front & out the passenger door.
    These days now that DH isn't around DD1 is usually in the front anyway.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Paradise
    4,473

    I have my older 2 in the very back, they can walk to get out of the car. DD3 will probably go on the right, because I can easily park so that one side is easier to open the doors on, because half the car parks are too small, and if I am getting out on the right (as you do when you drive) we will mostly be using the right hand side to get everyone out. Roadside parking up here is MUCH wider than most shopping centre car parks, so I am not likely to have issues with the door being out in the road!!