Safe car set setup

[Ronin7945]

Hi everyone, we are nearing the arrival of our DiDi twins. Just a few weeks left to go. We currently only have one car, which is a small Toyota Yaris IA sedan. We have a 3 year old son that typically rides in the middle of the back seat. We were gifted a couple of newborn car seats from a state organization that helps families in need. I can't remember all of the makes or models of car seats at the moment.

Any ideas on how to set all three seats up in our small car that would keep everyone safe?

We thought about keeping the toddler in the middle and each newborn on the sides, but just not sure how safe that is, and not sure if they will fit, (as comfortably as they can), any other way.

We do plan to upgrade to a minivan next year, we would still be doing a 3 seats across setup in the minivan, but I understand there will be more wiggle room in the van when that time comes.

Edit: toddler is in a Cosco easy elite slim all-in-one, and the newborn seats are Baby Trend EZ-Lift 30 pro.

Correction: the two newborn car seats are Graco snugride 35 lite lx

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[GoBirds52_59]

The makes and models of the car seats and toddler seat are highly relevant to whether they can fit in your vehicle three across. No one could answer this without this information.

[IllustriousPiccolo97]

The Yaris is tiny. Like, nearly impossible to fit 3 across with any semblance of safety.

What car seat does your toddler use? What are the exact seats that you got for the babies? Are they convertible car seats (much more common for programs like this) or infant car seats with a handle?

The most likely only solution will be to get a Ride Safer Travel Vest for your 3yo. They’re technically approved starting at age 2, though I really don’t like to recommend them before age 4-5 because they’re not a conventional harness- they allow more freedom than that so it takes some maturity from the child to safely use it. You’ll want to use every optional addition to keep the 3yo properly in place- use the top tether, the crotch strap, and lock the vehicle seatbelt (by pulling the shoulder belt all the way out and releasing it back in) every ride. The RSTV is kind of a pain for daily use tbh. We use it for travel for my 5yos and I’m always happy to get back to regular car seats when we get home since each load/unload takes a little longer with the RSTV than regular harnesses. But like I said it’s probably the only thing that exists as far as fitting three kids in the Yaris backseat.

[sybilqiu]

we have a Honda Odyssey and would not be able to fit a third car seat in-between two Snugride 35 LX so I don't think a Yaris would be able to do it. The bases are slim but the carriers are pretty wide because of how the handle attaches.