Larger backseats in 2010 prius for better accomodation for 3 carseats?

Fortunately my kids are 13, 7, and 2 months. Having one on each side divides the two from fighting, and lets them check on baby if she starts fussing. Now when they start to squabble across the baby, that's a bigger problem the Prius can't solve ;-)

 

No matter, the infant needs to be in the center position...period, no discussion. It is the only safe position for a child that age. The 2.5 year old might enjoy 'helping' with the baby. I absolutely would not put a rear facing age infant (up to 12 months) in any position except the middle unless you had to b/c of twins or some other serious extenuating circumstances.

If the hubby needs convincing a quick google will provide all the info you need to convince.

Love, your Prius Driving, Father of 3, ER doctor who's seen it all.

 

Wha? Latch works just fine in the center position. There are 4 anchors total - you use the inboard two anchors from the left/right seats as your center mount point. My infant carseat base uses the center anchors on both the Gen I and Gen II Prius, and previously, the boosters uses the rear tethers for the same (there are three).

 

While the anchors are at the extreme reach I was able to use the LATCH in the center position for the first 3 years of my child's life.

I mention only the rear facing b/c children under 1 year are supposed to be rear facing. I think most laws say you can turn them front facing at 6 mo, but the AAP and all the car seat gurus assure us that rear facing is prefered until 1 year. The reason there is that a baby's head is huge compared to it's body (relative to older kids and adults) and their necks are dramatically weaker and have very little bony structure. A front facing child in a significant head on collision will sustain much greater risk of severe neck injury (for all intents and purposes the child can be nearly decapitated by the severe degree of distraction that occurs).

 

I think that is technically correct...though I admit to double latching.

 

In the case of our infant car seat base, the center position latch points work just fine in both vehicles, and do not seem too wide. If anything, the extra width offers some lateral stability. I could imagine, however, a larger seat making a difference and we'll have to re-evaluate this when we switch to the Britax next year.

I don't plan to be in a position to double latch in any event. I could see where doing this may exceed the planned/intended loads on the anchors.

 

LATCH systems increase safety of child car seats

 

The metal anchors are near the outboard seat belt anchors and the buckle (button) portion of the outboard seat belt positions (4 loops total). With the infant carseat base, the inboard two loops can in theory be used, though it is discouraged.

The anchors on the back are for forward facing seats or boosters equipped with tethers to supplement seatbelt or latch anchoring to keep the seat from tilting forward in the event of a crash or other rapid deceleration.