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KatiNoE
LIF Adolescent

Member since 8/11 702 total posts
Name: Kati
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Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
I currently drive an Accord and have one forward facing and one rear facing car seat for my two DDs. In June we will have a 4yo, 2yo, and a newborn. I know the Accord won't work but I would love to hear how others have handled the three car seat or booster seat situation. My career will be in a transition phase so safety is our main concern but cost is a close second. Are there seats that are known to be thinner so I can fit three across in a larger vehicle or is a third row definitely necessary? Would appreciate any and all advice. Thanks in advance!
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Posted 12/2/15 10:20 PM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)

Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name: P
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Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
There are seats that are narrow enough to fit 3 across! Depending on what seats you have right now you may not need to buy 3 new ones.
What infant seat do you have? (Also is it from your 4 yo?)
What seats are your 2yo & 4yo in currently?
And what year Accord do you have?
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Posted 12/2/15 11:01 PM |
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Calla
My girls

Member since 7/05 4303 total posts
Name:
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Love my minivan. Don't care what anyone says, that is one comfortable and convenient ride -- and we can carpool. Your 4 yo is going to be asking for playdates, and you'll want to be able to fit a friend!
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Posted 12/5/15 3:47 PM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.

Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name: Michelle
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Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
In case it helps, I have 3 Diono Radian RXT's across. They're narrow. I used to have 2 Radians and 1 Graco Snugride 30 until DS was old enough to go to the convertible. The girls (age 3) are FF and DS of course is RF (he is 1) I drive a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer which is about the size of a Jeep Cherokee. I would recommend a Chevy Traverse for you.
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Posted 12/5/15 6:02 PM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Posted by ny55angel
What infant seat do you have? (Also is it from your 4 yo?)
Sorry to hijack, but can I ask why you're asking this. I'm due with #3 and still have the infant seat from #1 who will turn 5yo right before the baby is born. Would the seat be too old for the new baby at that point? I thought they were good for something like 6 years, so I didn't want to be wasteful and toss it (but of course I will if it's a safety issue)!
To the OP, we're also expecting #3 and I think we're sadly going to get a minivan. DH and I are not happy about it but I think we'll be even less happy if we get a vehicle that has very limited trunk space and Costo trips, vacations, etc become a hassle. I don't want to deal with trying to strap in three kids across but that's just me.
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Posted 12/5/15 6:12 PM |
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Bebelove
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/12 742 total posts
Name:
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
We have #3 on the way and will get something with a third row (pilot , Acadia) . I'm worried about the child in the middle seat if we ever were hit on either side.
Message edited 12/5/2015 6:28:31 PM.
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Posted 12/5/15 6:26 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls

Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name: Me
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by ny55angel
What infant seat do you have? (Also is it from your 4 yo?)
Sorry to hijack, but can I ask why you're asking this. I'm due with #3 and still have the infant seat from #1 who will turn 5yo right before the baby is born. Would the seat be too old for the new baby at that point? I thought they were good for something like 6 years, so I didn't want to be wasteful and toss it (but of course I will if it's a safety issue)!
To the OP, we're also expecting #3 and I think we're sadly going to get a minivan. DH and I are not happy about it but I think we'll be even less happy if we get a vehicle that has very limited trunk space and Costo trips, vacations, etc become a hassle. I don't want to deal
They expire and some infant seats are not recommended - Graco snugride 22 and baby trend infant seats for example.
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Posted 12/5/15 6:31 PM |
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phoenix913
LIF Adult

Member since 5/05 3034 total posts
Name: V
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by ny55angel
What infant seat do you have? (Also is it from your 4 yo?)
Sorry to hijack, but can I ask why you're asking this. I'm due with #3 and still have the infant seat from #1 who will turn 5yo right before the baby is born. Would the seat be too old for the new baby at that point? I thought they were good for something like 6 years, so I didn't want to be wasteful and toss it (but of course I will if it's a safety issue)!
To the OP, we're also expecting #3 and I think we're sadly going to get a minivan. DH and I are not happy about it but I think we'll be even less happy if we get a vehicle that has very limited trunk space and Costo trips, vacations, etc become a hassle. I don't want to deal
They expire and some infant seats are not recommended - Graco snugride 22 and baby trend infant seats for example.
What do you mean by Graco Snugride 22 is not recommended? We are also having number 3 in July and I was wondering this same question. We have a Mazda 5 and we do have an optional 3rd row, so we're probably going to keep it for a while and see how it goes. But I think a minivan is in our future. I'd like to hear recommendations besides minivans though. And for those that have a kid in a 3rd row, how is trying to buckle them in? Seems like it's going to be a giant pain no matter what car to have to climb back there all the time. DS1 won't be big enough for a seatbelt booster yet I don't think. He'll be 5 and he's very short for his age.
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Posted 12/5/15 7:31 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls

Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name: Me
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Posted by phoenix913
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by ny55angel
What infant seat do you have? (Also is it from your 4 yo?)
Sorry to hijack, but can I ask why you're asking this. I'm due with #3 and still have the infant seat from #1 who will turn 5yo right before the baby is born. Would the seat be too old for the new baby at that point? I thought they were good for something like 6 years, so I didn't want to be wasteful and toss it (but of course I will if it's a safety issue)!
To the OP, we're also expecting #3 and I think we're sadly going to get a minivan. DH and I are not happy about it but I think we'll be even less happy if we get a vehicle that has very limited trunk space and Costo trips, vacations, etc become a hassle. I don't want to deal
They expire and some infant seats are not recommended - Graco snugride 22 and baby trend infant seats for example.
What do you mean by Graco Snugride 22 is not recommended? We are also having number 3 in July and I was wondering this same question. We have a Mazda 5 and we do have an optional 3rd row, so we're probably going to keep it for a while and see how it goes. But I think a minivan is in our future. I'd like to hear recommendations besides minivans though. And for those that have a kid in a 3rd row, how is trying to buckle them in? Seems like it's going to be a giant pain no matter what car to have to climb back there all the time. DS1 won't be big enough for a seatbelt booster yet I don't think. He'll be 5 and he's very short for his age.
The snugride 22 (22 only, which has been discontinued. Not the 30, 35, or 40) isn't recommended bc the lowest harness setting is too high for a majority of newborns unless they have a very long torso (not necessarily a long baby, long in the torso specifically). Since the harness straps need to come from at or below the shoulders on a rear facing seat, it's nearly impossible to do on the 22, at least not for newborns. Same with the baby trend infant seats.
Message edited 12/5/2015 10:51:53 PM.
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Posted 12/5/15 10:51 PM |
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phoenix913
LIF Adult

Member since 5/05 3034 total posts
Name: V
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Interesting, thank you. That is the seat we have. Bought it almost five years ago. Guess we will be hoping for bru trade in event to come up soon!
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Posted 12/6/15 7:14 AM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)

Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name: P
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by phoenix913
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by ny55angel
What infant seat do you have? (Also is it from your 4 yo?)
Sorry to hijack, but can I ask why you're asking this. I'm due with #3 and still have the infant seat from #1 who will turn 5yo right before the baby is born. Would the seat be too old for the new baby at that point? I thought they were good for something like 6 years, so I didn't want to be wasteful and toss it (but of course I will if it's a safety issue)!
To the OP, we're also expecting #3 and I think we're sadly going to get a minivan. DH and I are not happy about it but I think we'll be even less happy if we get a vehicle that has very limited trunk space and Costo trips, vacations, etc become a hassle. I don't want to deal
They expire and some infant seats are not recommended - Graco snugride 22 and baby trend infant seats for example.
What do you mean by Graco Snugride 22 is not recommended? We are also having number 3 in July and I was wondering this same question. We have a Mazda 5 and we do have an optional 3rd row, so we're probably going to keep it for a while and see how it goes. But I think a minivan is in our future. I'd like to hear recommendations besides minivans though. And for those that have a kid in a 3rd row, how is trying to buckle them in? Seems like it's going to be a giant pain no matter what car to have to climb back there all the time. DS1 won't be big enough for a seatbelt booster yet I don't think. He'll be 5 and he's very short for his age.
The snugride 22 (22 only, which has been discontinued. Not the 30, 35, or 40) isn't recommended bc the lowest harness setting is too high for a majority of newborns unless they have a very long torso (not necessarily a long baby, long in the torso specifically). Since the harness straps need to come from at or below the shoulders on a rear facing seat, it's nearly impossible to do on the 22, at least not for newborns. Same with the baby trend infant seats.
Exactly what Eliza said is why I asked
Also a few other questions I typically ask are -
***has the seat/base ever been involved in a crash whether occupied or not?
***has the seat ever been cheked as luggage or gate checked on an airplane ?
***have the straps ever been washed or wiped down with anything other then a damp rag and possibly a mild soap. Or have they ever been in the washing machine?
OP - it is possible to fit 3 across in an accord if you have the right seats.
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Posted 12/8/15 7:52 PM |
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KatiNoE
LIF Adolescent

Member since 8/11 702 total posts
Name: Kati
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Re: Car/car seat advice with 3 DCs
OP - it is possible to fit 3 across in an accord if you have the right seats.
I forgot to check "notify " and just now remembered to check back. Thanks so much to all who offered advice! The ultimate goal would be to keep my car at least for the time being and buy new car seats that will fit with three across. Could you recommend which seats I should look into? Right now we have a Chicco key fit infant seat (bought in late 2011) and two Graco 4Ever convertibles (bought this year). None have been involved in accidents, flights, or washed with more than a damp cloth. I will gladly buy three new seats if it means I can avoid a new car right now! Please share any recommendations!
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Posted 12/12/15 7:51 AM |
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