How do we fit a baby in our car?

We're expecting baby no.3 but are in a real pickle with our car situation. Our oldest will be 5yrs old when the baby is born and our second 2.5yrs. They are both currently in high-back Safe & Sound car seats (Royale for the 2yr old, MaxiRider for the 4.5yr old). However, we can't fit a 3rd car seat in our current car - or any other 5-seater car we can find! When I enquired at Baby City the sales assistant said that new law now requires all children under 9yrs of age to be in a booster, or an instant $150 fine will be issued??!!!!!! I can't find anything on the internet to support this, everything I read says that 5yrs and beyond a car seat or booster should be used if available, but it's not law. I can't believe that every young family in NZ with 3 kids under 9yrs now have to be driving a mini van???

Can anyone help me out? If you have 3 kids what sort of vehicle do you drive and what is your car seat/booster arrangement?

Many thanks

Hi there, I have 3 children aged 1, 2 and 4. My car is a Nissan Primera so it is not huge and I have all 3 across the back seat. The youngest 2 are in mothers choice car seats and the 4 year old is in one of those car seat/booster seat things (the one with the removeable back - although we have not removed the back) . It is a tight squeeze but they all fit.

I did have problems when the baby was in a capsule and I would have to put the eldest child in the front seat (obviously in her car seat).

I don't know if I am much help but I thought it may help to know it can be done - you shouldnt need to buy a mini van!

I haven't heard that one either, maybe check out our Ask the Experts section and ask our carseat expert.

Would a half booster for your oldest fit better?

I'm not much help coz I bought a people mover when #s 2 and 3 arrived coz my tiny polo wasn't going to fit them and I figured the extra room would come in handy later on. Which it did when lil miss arrived rather unexpectedly!

We had to buy a Nissan Serena (8 seater people mover) when we were expecting #3 for the same reason. Sometimes when we have to use the car (e.g. van in for WOF), we put the booster seat with the oldest in the front and the skinniest of us (usually me ) in the middle in the back LOL.

On the upside, the Serena's don't seem to cost much to maintain and are fairly cheap to come by as well. The best thing is the headspace when putting kiddies in/out and doing up buckles - especially in the rain!!

ETA: How I understood the law was up to 5yrs compulsory, up to 8 years recommended by Plunket, and the rule of thumb being when their legs are long enough to fold over the edge of the seat. For us, that means when #4 comes along next year we will need another booster seat (for the oldest two instead of just one).

Edited by busymum