Position of Infant Car Seat

[krushing]

I was curious where are you supposed to put the infant car seat?  I've heard the driver side because you have more cushion in a front end collision, then I heard the middle is the safest, but I've also heard the passenger side so you can observe.  I'm lost.  I drive a 2007 Honda Accord and it has the side curtain airbags and I'm afraid my baby will be harmed in a crash, so I'm thinking the middle.  I'm getting my travel system for a hostess gift at my next shower, so I haven't made an appointment with the Fire Department to inspect the installation of it and was curious what you all knew.

[Jules_za]

You drive on the Right, so when you park your car in the road you get out on the left into the road, you baby should be on the curb side to minimise the danger. Thats my thought anyway.

[hkenny]

i have one of those mirror things, my sil suggested the passager side b/c if they have a pacificer you can reach back if they drop it, my friend has her on the drivers side for getting the baby in and out, she said she started in the middle with the suv but found it was hard to get the car seat in and out. i was also told at my prenatal class to go to the fire departement to get it checked out. a few weeks ago here on the news they did a car seat check stop and over 85% of car seats were incorrectly installed, they handed out tickets and fines. there was all kinds of violations from the car seat being installed wrong to babies being to small for front facing car seats, and some toddlers not in a booster seat, ( here they say they should be in one until 80 pounds) they even found some car seats were not safe ( parents had bought used or hand me down car seats) that statics scares me so i think i'll be going down to the fire department!!  

[Mommy2B51209]

I took mine to the fire department and had mine in the middle and they suggested that I move it to one side or the other and I drive an SUV.  They said it really doesn't matter, it will just be easier to get him in and out if it is on one side or the other, but they did make sure that the little belt like thing that comes with the base was attached to the hooks under the seat, and then said to use the seat belt to go across the carrier as well.  This will keep the carrier and the base more secure simultaneously.  I moved it to the passenger side so that I could see him better if i needed to while I'm driving... I say, honestly, if it is hooked in correctly, the sides or middle is going to probably be a trial and error kind of thing depending on what is comfortable for you and your passengers and the position of the mirror thingy and all that, so I'll try it like it is and if I hate it, i'll move it now that I know how to properly secure the base and everything.

[kylesMom09]

My DH and i were discussing this yesteday and we are having the same questions.  I drive a SUV and we couldn't decide between the drivers side and the middle.  So if you find out where the fire department suggests be sure to let me know!!  My DH is on our local fire department, but we live in a VERY small town so it is on a volunteer basis and they don't do anything like that.

[krushing]

Well, in one of our child birthing classes they told us to call our local fire department and make an appointment to install/inspect your car seat.

I can see how the middle is the safest, I think especially in my case with side curtain air bags.  But, now I'm curious...my mother is going to be keeping my son and she keeps my niece...so if Reece is in the middle, will it hurt my niece to be on one of the sides?  The rate my niece is going, due to weight restrictions, she is probably still going to be in a rear facing seat when Reece gets here.

[kikicoates78]

I put mine in the middle, but I drive a SUV. They sell these little safety first mirrors that you can position to get a better veiw of baby while your driving. I'm not sure if that's the correct way or not??? I never thought about getting it checked out at the Fire Dept.

[hkenny]

ok, i should have looked here first ,now that i have replied ot all of your posts! I have an additional questions........does the position change in an SUV? I see people with car seats on the side in an suv and in the middle on a car. any safety reason for that?