Booster seats, Car seats?

[pinkandblue]

Hi

I have a few questions about booster seats that I would like answered.

I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and am due to have another baby in December. The problem is I have a small sedan (which I really love) and I can't fit a capsule and baby seat in the back seat. My partner wants the capsule in the middle because he thinks that it is safer if there is an accident. I think the capsule and car seat would fit if they were on either side of the car.
Does anyone know of any pros/cons about putting the car seats on either side of the car? Or next to each other?

Also, I was thinking if I got a booster if I could put it in the front seat because then the capsule would fit at the back by itself and then I dont have to worry about my daughter annoying the baby.
Does the booster clip into the back of the seat like a car seat? Or does it just sit there and you put a normal seat belt on top? Is it dangerous to have a small child sitting in the front?

Thanks in advance

[drewid]

Hi

First of all, no problems in having your capsules/baby seats on either side of the car. Our baby seat is on my side of the car. My sister in law has two bubs and one is on each side. We have found that the middle seat in the back actually rises slightly compared to the two side seats, so its actually the MOST unsturdy spot to put a baby seat.

Second, you should NEVER put such a small child in the front seat of a car. It is so so soooo dangerous!!

If you need professional advice, you could see your local ambulance service, racq (if your in qld) or any other local organisation involved with child safety.

[Kamaikia]

I agree you should never have a small child in the front seat - you would get booked for that one. I doubt anyone would tell you that this is in any way safe.
I had my capsule fitted by the ambulance and they put it the back next to window on passenger side. This is where they like to fit them all apparently. Definetly talk to someone at the ambulance as not offence but they would have more of an idea than your partner about safety issues.

[angelcarmie]

Having a seat on each side of the car is no problem at all and is very safe.

As for having a small child in a carseat in front that is actually illegal. As far as I know (dont quote me) but a child should be 11 before it is legally allowed to be in the front seat. (This is mainly due to front air bags)

As for how a car seat works a normal booster seat works. It just sits on the seat and the child is then strapped in (and the booster held in place) by either using a seat belt of the harness seatbelts.

We are looking into buying our daughter one of the new booster seats that can be uses from 6mths to 7years. They actually recline if the child falls asleep and have a 5point harness like carseats. Rather then having to uses a normal seat belt or having to purchase a harness belt attachment.