Car seat advice - family and dog.

[sezzolou]

Baby is due any day now so I need to be thinking about the car seat situation. We have a toddler and a small dog so need to make room for us all in my ford focus.

I don't like the idea of the dog being in the middle of 2 car seats in the back. For safety reasons we don't put our dog in the footwell as we like to have him harnessed and seatbelted so he's safe.

Leaves me with the option of toddler in his forward facing car seat in the front passenger seat and dog, baby and me or hubby in the back if we have a full car. I could put the dog in the front passenger seat if hubby isn't with us. If he is id be in the back with baby and dog with toddler up front.

Just trying to check guidelines on car seat in the front. As far as I can see I don't need to deactivate the passenger airbag do I? What do others do please?

 

[RaspberryK]

I think it depends on how often you travel with the dog but I'd be less worried about the dog and want to really research the safety of children in the front seat as I think it's recommended as being much safer in the back.
I think I'd prefer to use the middle seat for the dog and use a muzzle just in case or use the foot well.
Our dogs always traveled in the boot of the car or in the foot well if there was not the option of the boot.
xx

 

[AngelUK]

We don't have a dog but my mum has three and the big one is in the boot and the small ones in the footwells front and back and are quite safe. They are very well behaved however and never jump around in the car. If that is your worry with yours, maybe getting one of those car kennel things for the boot might be an option? Unless of course you cannot fit that in as well as the buggy/pram? I don't think I would have my boys on the front seat till they are in their early teens.

 

[star1]

I've got 2 babies and a toddler, so had a similar dilemma as to who to put where. We ended up putting one of the babies in the front seat, with the other baby and toddler in the back with me in the middle. I think that the backwards facing baby is safer than the forwards facing toddler in the front seat - at least they're protected if the front windscreen smashed in a crash x

 

[AngelUK]

Yes I think that is true. A maxicosy type rear facing baby seat in the front is bound to be safer than a ff toddler seat. But you definitely have to switch off the airbag then!

 

[aimee-lou]

Why cant the dog go in the boot? Or is the car a saloon?

 

[sezzolou]

Why cant the dog go in the boot? Or is the car a saloon?

No room in the boot with the double pram. Would only be for family days out so I think the dog could go in the front on these occasions and I'll sit in the back between the car seats.

 

[RaspberryK]

Have fun squishing yourself in the back with 2 car seats!!!
Xx

 

[aimee-lou]

Ah OK yeah i know that pain lol.

I know its not ideal but foot well in the front with you is probably the safest and most comfortable option in this case. I have our terrier in the front with me if this ever arises for us. At least until you no longer need a big double buggy. If not pooch may have to sit a couple out until room frees up in the boot for him in s few months x