Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts designed for infants are included in the majority of infant and convertible car seats to help babies fit better and be more comfortable in the
best car seats newborn. The inserts can be removed when the child is at the weight limit specified in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Only use the inserts provided in your car seat. Anything else can be unsafe, causing your child to be squeezed and the harness straps not to be at the correct height.
It helps your baby's sit position
A car seat insert lets your infant to sit higher in the seat. This insert helps you secure the harness straps and prevents sliding, which could expose your baby to the risk of injury if there is a crash. This padding lifts up your child's head and reduces the distance between the seat's bottom and the lowest strap slots. It ensures they are safe in a rear-facing car and that their head isn't too close to the crotch (which could restrict airflow).
If you have a convertible seat you can remove the newborn insert once your child has reached a certain weight or height limit. This is typically around five to six months of age. Be sure to read the manual for instructions regarding this, and make sure your child's harness straps remain level with or below their shoulders - they might require adjustment after removing the infant insert.
Some head supports for car seats as well as some that are included in the infant seats themselves - could actually cause your child's head to move forward, which could limit their airway and potentially put their safety in danger. Check the instructions in the car seat manual or on the manufacturer's site to see when and how these head supports are to be used.
Use only the insert that came with your child's seat. Do not use a substitute solution, like burp cloths or a rolled-up blankets on
top rated infant car seats of their heads. Every car seat is tested to make sure that all components function. Any other insert could hinder this testing and compromise your child's security.
The most secure way to ensure your baby is snugly seated in their car seat is applying the "pinch test": you must not squeeze any slack between you finger and the harness at their shoulder. If you are in doubt seek out a certified child Passenger Safety Technician or call your car seat manufacturer's customer service line to seek help.
Supports for your baby's neck and head
A newborn insert is a cushion designed to support your baby's head as well as neck. This is essential because muscle developments that allow infants to stand up independently haven't yet been achieved.
Car seat inserts for newborns raise your baby's head to ensure that they can reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots, and also help keep their head from slumping forward (which could hinder their airways).
Some infant seats come with newborn inserts and other companies also offer head support products that are specifically designed for use in car seats. Before adding any padding to your child's car seat, review the directions of the manufacturer to ensure you are using the newborn insert or head support properly.
Infant inserts and head support that come with most car seats are designed to provide additional padding for newborns and tiny babies. These can be two separate products that allow for greater flexibility in adjustment, or one unit that is more streamlined for support.
If you choose to use an infant insert or head support, be aware that they are only suitable for use in a rear-facing position and that they'll outgrow them before they reach the maximum weight and height permitted for their car seat. Don't use blankets or burps to make a car seat insert for infants. They can impede the proper position of the infant's neck and head and could cause injuries in the event of a crash.
Many parents believe that the head support pillows included in certain infant seats or sold separately can help their baby to remain safe in a crash, by aiding in preventing a chin-to-chest position. But this isn't the case. In actual research has proven that adding an infant insert or headrest can actually cause your baby's head to slump forward in a dangerous position. A soft object, like an unrolled receiving blanket or burp cloth, could also void the warranty of your infant car seat.
Keeps the baby's head in its natural position
If you've ever held a newborn you'll know that they need extra head support to keep their little heads up. Car seats for infants are fitted with a padded insert for newborns that helps keep your baby in a secure, upright position. Newborn inserts are like miniature pillows that can be inserted into the seat and provide a comfortable cushion for your child. This is particularly important when traveling for long distances as it will make it easier for your child to sleep and remain awake throughout the journey.
The newborn insert also ensures that your baby's neck is positioned in the most natural and healthy way possible. This is especially important in rear-facing cars, where the infant's head can be blocked if it slouches forward. The insert raises the child and allows them to reach the lowest set shoulder strap slots. It also pulls the head back to reduce the risk of choking. It's worth mentioning that you must always refer to the manual of your car seat for specific instructions on when to remove the newborn insert and when to remove it, as it may stipulate an age limit or weight limit.
As your child grows, the insert used for the car seat for newborns will naturally shrink to a size that isn't suitable for your child. They'll get taller and build up the muscle strength needed to hold their heads without the help of an insert. This is when you can consider eliminating the padding from their seat.
When you take the newborn insert from your baby's car seat, it is crucial that you check whether the harness is snug enough to ensure safety. You can test this by conducting a pinch test, where you insert your finger into the space between the strap for your shoulder and your baby's chest. If there's a large gap or lots of stretch in the strap, you need to replace the insert for your newborn.
Although there are different car seat accessories available on the market that you could apply to your newborn, it is recommended to stick with the infant insert supplied by the manufacturer of your car seat. This is because they're designed specifically for your baby's specific car seat and will be most effective in making sure they're safe during travel.
Make sure your baby is comfortable
The newborn insert is an infant car seat accessory that keeps babies secure and comfortable. It's a layer of padding that raises your baby to ensure that the harness straps are at their shoulders or below (if they're in a rear facing car seat). Without an insert, your child may not sit up high enough for their harness to be adjusted properly.
A newborn insert can also be a good idea, since it will make it more likely for your baby's chin to stay away from their chest. Many new parents think that the head pillow that comes with some carseats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth parents are advised to put on their child's head will protect the head of their child in an accident. These extra padding pieces, however, could actually make the chin-to-chest position worse when they compress during the event of a crash.
Newborn car seat accessories are an excellent way to keep your baby in a comfortable position when driving and are easy to use as well. They're usually a piece of fabric or foam that is placed underneath the car seat to lift up the bottom part of the seat. Some have a cushion and a head-hugger that go under the child's head, whereas others have just an head-hugger.
Inserts for newborn car seats can be removed when the baby is old enough to be able to fit without them. Most manufacturers have an appropriate weight or height requirement for this. This information can be found in the manual of the car seat.
It is
best infant seat to talk to an expert if unsure whether or not your baby is at the point of removing the newborn car seat insert. A CPST will provide you with valuable advice to ensure your baby is using their car seat in a safe manner. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your beloved ones peace of mind while you travel with your child in your back seat.
