There may be differences between an individual seat in terms of the safety features it offers, but a combination seat used forward-facing with a 5 point harness is as a category no different than a convertible seat used forward facing with a 5 point harness – both are forward facing 5 point harnesses.
I am wondering about seatbelt extenders for use with boosters, safe or not safe, 3″ or 8″?
Baby #3 is conning in Jan and I have a 6 year old in a booster and a 3.5 year old in a resurfacing convertible. We currently have a Hyundai sonata that may need to accommodate all their if we are not able to purchase a van before baby arrives. My sister brought up the seatbelt extender as I am concerned about being able to reach the seatbelt, if I am able to get all three seats in the sonata.
Seat belt extenders can NOT be used with car seats or boosters – as they change the geometry of the seat belt and also will likely place the seat belt hardware on the child’s body (for kids using a booster).
Some vehicles do not have lower anchors – but will often have a top tether in that position. Please read your vehicle owner’s manual to see where your vehicle has a top tether. Also, make sure to take your car seat to someone trained – as if they are trained (and doing a good job) they should have a LATCH manual to further assist – Find someone trained here – http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm?
You can not safely install 3 forward facing car seats in the 3rd row of the suburban (or yukon, denali, escalade, etc – all the same car) – as there is not enough space AND there is only one tether and EVERY forward facing car seats should be tethered (as the tether decreases how far the child’s head moves forward by 6-8 inches).
If we were to go with a minivan, would we be able to fit 3 forward facing car seats in the back row? Or do you know of any vehicle that this might work? If so, do you suggest any of the “go-to” car seats I saw on the site? We are looking for a vehicle that can last us a long time, have plenty of cargo space, can tow a trailer and fits 5 kids (4 forward facing, one of those will be in a booster soon and 1 rear facing). Thanks so much for your help.
The Car Seat Lady
Is there any difference (in terms of safety) between a combination car seat used with 5 point harness and a convertible car seat used forward facing?
There may be differences between an individual seat in terms of the safety features it offers, but a combination seat used forward-facing with a 5 point harness is as a category no different than a convertible seat used forward facing with a 5 point harness – both are forward facing 5 point harnesses.
I am wondering about seatbelt extenders for use with boosters, safe or not safe, 3″ or 8″?
Baby #3 is conning in Jan and I have a 6 year old in a booster and a 3.5 year old in a resurfacing convertible. We currently have a Hyundai sonata that may need to accommodate all their if we are not able to purchase a van before baby arrives. My sister brought up the seatbelt extender as I am concerned about being able to reach the seatbelt, if I am able to get all three seats in the sonata.
Seat belt extenders can NOT be used with car seats or boosters – as they change the geometry of the seat belt and also will likely place the seat belt hardware on the child’s body (for kids using a booster).
Some seats in cars don’t have the latch, and need to be fastened with looping the seatbelt. How do you tether as well?
Some vehicles do not have lower anchors – but will often have a top tether in that position. Please read your vehicle owner’s manual to see where your vehicle has a top tether. Also, make sure to take your car seat to someone trained – as if they are trained (and doing a good job) they should have a LATCH manual to further assist – Find someone trained here – http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm?
We are looking into purchasing a suburban and need 3 forward facing car seats to fit across the 3rd row. Any ideas?
You can not safely install 3 forward facing car seats in the 3rd row of the suburban (or yukon, denali, escalade, etc – all the same car) – as there is not enough space AND there is only one tether and EVERY forward facing car seats should be tethered (as the tether decreases how far the child’s head moves forward by 6-8 inches).
If we were to go with a minivan, would we be able to fit 3 forward facing car seats in the back row? Or do you know of any vehicle that this might work? If so, do you suggest any of the “go-to” car seats I saw on the site? We are looking for a vehicle that can last us a long time, have plenty of cargo space, can tow a trailer and fits 5 kids (4 forward facing, one of those will be in a booster soon and 1 rear facing). Thanks so much for your help.
You can fit 5 kids in a Honda Odyssey (2011 and newer)