Before buying, make sure your small car is baby-seat ready
Posted Oct 7th 2010 3:02PM
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Space also becomes an issue. If you're not buying a minivan or an SUV, there are a few things you may not have thought of before you sign that lease and introduce your child to your new car.
The Front Seat
Let's assume you've chosen a baby seat already and are ready to install it. You'll have to consider the front seat of the car, specifically leg room. Baby car seats take up a lot of room in the back. Installing one often means moving the front passenger seat up to accommodate the baby seat. You can lose a lot of leg room, even if you're not tall.
If possible, take the baby seat with you when you're looking at cars. Try it out in the back seats and sit in the front passenger seat after it's been adjusted to accommodate the baby car seat.
The Back Seat
Okay, so you've determined the front seat has adequate leg room even with a baby seat in the back. Now you'll have to consider the rest of the back seat. Will there be room for another adult? After all, you may have to drive grandma, auntie, the nanny or the babysitter home one day. And later on you may need that room if you decide to have another child.
The Doors
Some baby seats can be taken in and out of the car for ease of carrying your child. Are the car doors big enough for you to maneuver the seat and the baby in and out of the car on a daily basis? Don't just check if the baby seat fits, ensure the seat, the baby and you can fit in the door space easily.
The Trunk
Think about it -- you have to fit a lot in there. I once watched as my brother managed to fit a stroller, groceries and a diaper bag into a trunk that already had his briefcase, tools and other small random things. It took a few minutes to figure out the logistics but eventually almost everything fit. The rest went in the back seat.
Bring the stroller and the diaper bag with you when you test drive cars. You'll need to test pack it as well.
Let's assume you've chosen a baby seat already and are ready to install it. You'll have to consider the front seat of the car, specifically leg room. Baby car seats take up a lot of room in the back. Installing one often means moving the front passenger seat up to accommodate the baby seat. You can lose a lot of leg room, even if you're not tall.
If possible, take the baby seat with you when you're looking at cars. Try it out in the back seats and sit in the front passenger seat after it's been adjusted to accommodate the baby car seat.
The Back Seat
Okay, so you've determined the front seat has adequate leg room even with a baby seat in the back. Now you'll have to consider the rest of the back seat. Will there be room for another adult? After all, you may have to drive grandma, auntie, the nanny or the babysitter home one day. And later on you may need that room if you decide to have another child.
The Doors
Some baby seats can be taken in and out of the car for ease of carrying your child. Are the car doors big enough for you to maneuver the seat and the baby in and out of the car on a daily basis? Don't just check if the baby seat fits, ensure the seat, the baby and you can fit in the door space easily.
The Trunk
Think about it -- you have to fit a lot in there. I once watched as my brother managed to fit a stroller, groceries and a diaper bag into a trunk that already had his briefcase, tools and other small random things. It took a few minutes to figure out the logistics but eventually almost everything fit. The rest went in the back seat.
Bring the stroller and the diaper bag with you when you test drive cars. You'll need to test pack it as well.
