3 Kids and Carseats

We also got the Odessey when I found out I was prego with #3. My oldest was 2 at the time and my youngest wasn't even 1 yet. We decided the Odessey was best because of the potential to seat 8 (although, we rarely use it for that purpose.) Anyway, what I did was put my oldest in the captain's seat behind the passenger seat and the infant right behind the driver and the middle child in the back row right in the middle. This way my oldest was albe to tell me if the baby was happy, sleeping, etc. w/o me having to pull over and stop the car. Also, the oldest was able to reach my hand and toss/pass things back to her younger brother if necessary. With having the middle child seated in the middle of the back row, he didn't feel left out because he could see the road and still see what was happening in the vehicle. I hope this all makes sense. I'm sure you will be able to figure out what works best for you and your family. Congrats on #3!

We are in the same situation...3yr old, 2yr old, baby on the way...Toyota Sienna. My husband and I were just saying the same thing...where to put everyone. I am looking forward to reading other moms ideas on what works!

I don't have the Odyssey, just the Dodge Grand Caravan... so I don't have the option that someoen else mentioned, to fit 3 kids in a single row. I have twins plus an older child. I keep the passenger-side seat in the middle row permanently folded down, so that I can sit on it to put kids into their seats & fasten all of their seatbelts. That way too, I have everyone enter & exit the car on the sidewalk-side... that was a big safety issue for us because I have to park on the street for their school & dance class. It's been 3 1/2 years now that we've had this configuration, and it's still working well for us.

Also, I've always kept my older child in the middle, and the little ones in the back. When they were babies, I realized that I couldn't really reach them to hand them binkies, bottles etc anyway while they were rear-facing... so I may as well have them in the way back.

I have an Odessey and we removed the back passenger side seat and I put my 5 year old on the other side and my 3 year old twins in the back row seats. I find it very easy to get in and out of the car(not to mention great space to change diapers)with the seat completely taken out. Hope that helps.

If you have the 8-seater, remove the jumpseat in the middle row and put it in storage. Then take the captain's seat that is normally behind the front-passenger, and move it to the middle of the van, and place the new baby's carseat there. That seat positioning is the easiest to reach from the driver or passenger's position. I would put one carseat in the center of the back, which will be easily accessible now that the captain's seat has been moved from behind the passenger, and you can also fold down the single seat in the back so that you have access from the trunk if you'd like, and that will also give you a flat surface to change the baby as needed. I don't know what kind of stroller you have, but mine fits in the trunk easily, either upright or on its side, and I don't feel it is at any risk as a projectile. As far as cars that hold 3 carseats go, I think you (and I) have the best, and of course you can always move the kids around if their placement isn't working. Good luck and congrats on #3!

I have a 4.5 year old, 2.5 year old and a 7 month old, and when the baby was on the way I worried about all the same things. In the end, we bought a Subaru Tribeca with optional third row, and I love it. We rarely use the third row because all three car seats fit in the second row, and much to my surprise, no one tries to hit or kick the baby or give him small choking hazards. I put my oldest son next to the baby in the beginning, but now I'd trust either of my older boys next to him. And it's so nice because I can ask the other two whether the baby is sleeping or whether they can give him his pacifier! My older boys are wild, crazy, and energetic, but they are (usually) nicer and calmer around the baby. All kids are different, so you might have a different experience of course, but for me all the worrying was for nothing!

I'm glad we got the new car anyway, though, because now we can accommodate extra people besides just our immediate family when we need to, and there's plenty of space for strollers and diaper bags or whatever.

I do suggest putting the oldest one in the middle because he or she will be able to climb in and out unaided. You need to be able to get the newborn in without reaching all the way to the middle.

I have 3 kids in a minivan , what you need to remember is in 9 months time your 2 will be almost a year older which will make a big difference. When #3 was born I had them set out like this: Newborn and middle child on the 2 seat behind driver & passanger , then eldest in the back , now the eldest and middle are both in the back. If were doing a short drive then I don't worry about drinks , but if we will be a little longer then I give the elder ones a drink which they put in the cup holders at the back , the youngest I can reach. Strollers are always in the trunk , and if I ever need to change the youngest on route I lay her on the floor or on a spare seat. Just so you know , when #3 arrived my other 2 were 5 and 2 1/2 , they are now 7 , 4 1/2 and 2.