Carseat Placement

Honestly, I don't think it matters much. I would probably be putting the baby in the middle myself, just so I can reach over and help out if he needs it. What kind of seats are the older ones in? Do their car seats work in the middle seat? Sometimes that seat is only a lap belt and if they are already in boosters, it wouldn't work so well. And, how easy is it to get the older ones in that middle spot? Do they know how to buckle themselves in or unbuckle themselves? If they do, then it isn't a big deal again, if they don't, you have to reach over to buckle them in, where if the baby is still in the carrier car seat, it might be easy to just plop him in that middle spot so you can strap the other boys in easier. I think it is really just a personal decision. Try it all out and see. It isn't permenant, so if you don't like it, you can always move them around after the baby comes.

T.

A.-
We just had our third child and I started her out on one of the ends, but then changed it to the middle. (I should input in here that it is in a mini-van) For me it was a simple reason... I could reach her there. If I had to pull over to get her nuk or comfort her I could just turn around in my seat. Also, when I recently went to get our car seats checked they commented me on putting our youngest there, simply for the safety factor... Newborns have less muscle control as we all know. If you were to get hit on the side it would be tougher on your newborn. Just wanted to pass all this along... Good luck!! When things calm down though, I would look for a van!! We have a venture that has three captain seats across the middle, works WONDERFUL, no one is alone in the back and I have tons of room yet for "stuff".
From another teacher/stay-at-home mom

I'm with your husband. I had 3 in carseats as well and you'll want to go for convenience. Or just start out with the new baby in the middle and change it later if you get tired of it.

A.,

Way to go, I am a stay-at-home mom as well. That is great!
I had the same problem when our third daughter was about to be born. The solution was to break down and get the van. It is recommended that you put the smallest children in the middle of the vehicle. With a van, your oldest goes in the back, the middle child and baby go in the middle of the van, and we pulled out the third seat for easier access. I hope this helps.
By the way, we bought our van used. You save a ton of money.
Good luck and best wishes for another healthy baby!!

M.

Hi,
Just from experience, (I have two) It is much easier to get a child out of a car seat especially the ones that snap in if it is on the outside. You can check with your local police department to see if there are any restrictions with putting the baby in the middle.

I would probably put the new baby in the middle. Not that it's much safer for the two on the outside, but your new baby is much more delicate being a newborn. Being older and bigger, your other children could handle better a side impact than your little newborn. That would be my reasoning.

I am in the same situation... I have an '04 Grand Prix and 3 children as well, Ages 3,1.5yrs, and 4 months...I had the baby in the middle because my 3yr old daughter and 1.5yr old son didn't know how to sit civilly together. It became a real hassle and strain on my back though trying to get my infant seat into the middle everytime because I always had another car seat i had to get it over first. I know arranged them to where my oldest is in the middle (in rear view mirror sight so she can't pick on her little brother) and both of my youngest are behind the driver and passenger front seats. This has worked out best. That and my 1 1/2 year old always took my infants nuk and bottles away from him and that was becoming a real problem too! I must say that i feel more comfortable with my infant behind one of the front seats versus being in the middle because granted if somebody hits you in the side of the car it's bad for all especially the child on that side, but if you get hit from head on there's a chance that the infant seat could get thrown threw the front window because it has nothing in front of it (like a seat) to stop it. I had owned a conversion van because it was a nice way for all of us to fit, but the gas prices were just killing us!! It is cheaper for us to just drive 2 cars then it was for us to have that van. It's your choice but whatever you choose will be OK as long as it's OK with you!

I have three children as well, so I understand how hard it is. But the bottom line is no matter if it is one child or ten the SAFEST place for an infant seat is rear facing in the back seat. It can be hard to work around the other seats, but safety is the most important and all companies and trained inspectors of car seats recommend the center. Most infant seats now come with a base you leave buckled in the car so all you have to do is snap the seat itself into it, so you don't have to mess with the seat belt every time. My youngest is now 18 months and I still have her in the center, her oldest brother puts her in the car and buckles her in, he feels important that way. Hope this helps!

I am the mother of 3 and we squeezed all 3 into a hatch-back for more than 2 yrs. We recently made the plunge and got a minivan. It is a whole new world! But, since you can't do that right now, you can definitely make your car work.
I struggled with it like you are. Even though it was challenging (lifting in, out, over) I put the littlest in the middle. In the beginning he was small enough that it wasn't that big of a struggle. It was easier to keep an eye on him, and it kept his brother and sister from fighting too much. They can also take turns helping with baby by singing, playing with him or giving him a pacifier or toy.
I've always heard that the rear middle is the safest place, and you aren't choosing favorites by putting your most delicate child in the middle.
It'll all be O.K. whatever you choose. Good luck!