Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts for infants are provided with the majority of infant and convertible car seats to allow babies to fit better and be more comfortable in the car. They can be removed when the child reaches a specified weight limit in the car seat manual.
Use only the inserts included in your car seat. Anything else could be unsafe, causing your child to get squished and the harness straps not to be at the right height.
Increase your lightweight baby car seat‘s sit-up posture
A car seat insert lets your infant to sit up higher in the seat. This allows you to fasten the harness straps securely and correctly, and it also prevents slouching that can expose your child to the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The padding helps lift your child up and shortens the distance between their bottom and the bottom set of straps for harness, ensuring they’re secure in the rear-facing car seat and that their head isn’t too close to the straps that connect their crotches (which can restrict airflow).
If you have a convertible seat you can remove the infant insert once your child reaches a certain weight or height limit. This is usually around five to six months old. Check the manual to see what instructions are included. Also, make sure that the harness straps of your child are at or below their shoulders. They may have to be adjusted after removing the insert.
Certain headrests for car seats – and even some that are included with infant seats – could actually make your child’s head move forward, which could impede their airway and put their safety at risk. Therefore, make sure you always refer to the car seat manual and the site of the manufacturer for instructions on when and how to use these types of head supports.
It is best infant seat to use the insert included with your child’s car seat. never create makeshift solutions, such as placing an unrolled blanket or burp cloth behind their head. Every car seat is tested to make sure that all components work together. Using any other insert could hinder this testing and compromise your child’s safety.
Remember, the safest way to ensure that your baby is comfortable in their seat is applying the “pinch test” You should not be able to squeeze any slack between you finger and the harness at their shoulder. If you have any doubts you should consult a certified Child Safety Technician for Passenger Safety or call the customer service line to seek help.
Supports for your baby’s neck and head
A newborn insert is made to help your baby’s neck and head. This is due to the fact that infants do not yet have the muscles that allow them to raise their heads on their own. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby’s head up so that they can reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots, and also help prevent their head from sagging forward (which could restrict their airways).
Some infant seats come with inserts for newborns and other companies also offer head supports specifically designed to be used in car seats. Before adding padding to your child’s car seat consult the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure you are using the infant insert or head support properly.
The infant inserts and head supports included in many car seats are specifically designed to provide extra padding required by infants and small babies. These can be two separate items that provide greater flexibility in adjustment, or a single unit that’s more streamlined for support.
If you decide to utilize an infant insert or head support, be aware that these should only be used in a rear-facing orientation and that they’ll outgrow them before your baby reaches the maximum weight and height permitted for their car seat. Never use blankets or burp cloths as car seat inserts to infants because they could interfere with the proper placement of the neck and head of the infant, putting them at risk for injury in the event of a crash.
Many parents are misled into thinking that the head support pillows included in some infant seats or sold separately can help their newborn to stay safe in a crash, by helping to prevent a chin-to chest position. But this isn’t the case. In fact research has proven that using an infant insert or head support could actually cause your baby’s head to slump forward in a dangerous position. A soft object, such as a rolled up receiving blanket or burp cloth, could also invalidate the warranty of your infant car seat.
Keeps the baby’s head in a natural position
If you’ve ever held the baby, you know that they require additional support to keep their heads straight. This is why infant car seats are equipped with a padded newborn insert that can help your baby sit in a comfortable position. The newborn inserts are small pillows that fit inside the seat to provide a comfortable seat for your baby. This is important, especially when traveling for long distances. They will help your baby sleep and remain awake during the journey.
The newborn insert will also ensure that your baby’s neck is positioned in the most natural, healthy way that is possible. This is especially important for rear-facing cars, where the head of the infant can become blocked if it is sunk forward. The insert raises the child up which allows them to reach the lowest set of shoulder strap slots and pushes their head backwards to reduce the risk of choking or blocking their breathing. It is recommended to always read the manual of your car seat for directions on how to remove the newborn insert. It will likely specify a weight or age limit.
As your baby grows older, they’ll naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert. As your baby grows, they’ll naturally outgrow the infant car seat insert.
It is crucial to test the harness when you remove the infant insert from the car of your baby. You can check this by pinch testing, which involves placing your finger between the straps and your baby’s chest. If there is a large gap or lots of looseness in the strap, it is recommended to replace the newborn insert.
Although there are different car seat accessories on the market to use for your baby but it’s best car seats infant to stick with the infant insert supplied by the manufacturer of your car seat. This is because they’re made specifically for your baby’s car seat and are most effective at keeping them safe while traveling.
Make sure your baby is comfortable
The newborn insert is an accessory for car seats that is that is designed to keep babies cozy and safe in their infant seats. It’s an extra layer of padding that raises your baby to ensure that the harness straps reach their shoulders or are below (if they’re in a rear-facing car seat). Without an insert, your baby may not be sitting high enough to allow their harness to be adjusted properly.
A newborn insert could be a good idea since it will make it more likely that your baby’s chin off their chest. Many new parents think that the pillow-like head piece that comes with some carseats or the rolled receiving blanket or burp cloth that parents are advised to put on their child’s head, will protect their baby’s head during an accident. However, these additional padding pieces can actually make the chin-to chest positioning more difficult, as they expand during a crash.
Newborn car seat accessories are an excellent way to keep your baby comfy while driving, and they’re easy to use too. They’re typically a piece of cloth or foam that is inserted underneath the car seat in order to lift up the bottom part of the seat. Some include a head-hugger and a cushion which both are placed under the child’s head to lift them up, while others are simply head huggers on their own.
Inserts for newborn car seats can be removed when the infant is old enough without them, and most manufacturers have a weight or height recommendation for this. It is recommended to follow the directions in your car seat manual for this information.
It is recommended to speak with a professional if you are unsure whether or not your baby is ready to quit using the newborn car seat insert. A CPST can provide valuable guidance to ensure you’re using your baby’s car seat correctly and that they are as safe as is possible. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your precious children peace of mind as you travel with your baby in the back seat.