Car Seat Inserts For NewbornsCar seat inserts designed for infants are included in the majority of convertible and infant car seats to help baby fit better and be more comfortable in the car. The inserts can be removed once the child reaches the weight limit set in the manual of the car seat.
Use only the inserts included with your car seat. Anything else is unsafe, causing your child to be squeezed and the harness straps to not be at the correct height.
Increase your baby's sit-up posture
A car seat insert for babies allows your newborn to sit up higher in the car seat. This insert assists in securing the harness straps and stops the slouching that can put your
baby seat at risk of injury in the event that there's a crash. This padding lifts your child up and shortens the distance between their lower and the lowest set of harness strap slots making sure they're secured in the rear-facing car seat and that their head doesn't get too close to the strap around their crotch (which can hinder airflow).
If you're using convertible car seats, the newborn insert is removed when your child has reached a certain weight or height limit. This typically occurs between 5 and 6 months old. Check the manual to see whether there are any specific instructions. Also, make sure that the harness straps of your child are in line or just below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after removing the insert.
Some head inserts, including those that come with infant seats, can actually make the child's head tilt backwards. This could limit their airway and put their safety at risk. Check the instructions in the manual of your car seat or on the website of the manufacturer to find out the best time and method for using these head supports are to be used.
Use only the insert that came along with your child's car seat. Do not use a flimsier solution, like a burp cloth or rolled-up blanket behind their head. Every car seat and its components are rigorously tested to work together as a whole and any other insert can hinder this process and jeopardize your child's safety.
The "pinch test" is the most effective way to make sure that your child is securely seated in the seat. You should not be able to pinch any loose slack in the shoulder between your finger and harness. If you aren't sure you are not sure, call the Child Passenger Security Technician or the customer service number of your car seat manufacturer.
Supports your baby's head and neck
A newborn insert is a small cushion designed to support your baby's head as well as neck. This is crucial because the muscle developments that allow infants to stand up independently haven't yet been achieved.
Car seat inserts for newborns raise your baby's head up so that they can reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots and they also assist in keep their head from sliding forward (which could restrict their airways).
Some infant seats come with newborn inserts. Other companies also sell head supports specifically designed for use in car seat. Before you add any padding to your baby's car seat consult the manufacturer's instructions for more specific instructions about how to safely use the newborn insert or head support in your specific infant seat.
The infant inserts and head support included in the majority of car seats are crafted to provide the extra padding required by infants and small babies. This can be a pair of separate items for more flexibility, or a single piece with a more streamlined support.
If you choose to use an infant insert or head support, remember that they are intended to be used only in a rear-facing orientation, and that they'll likely outgrow them before they reach the maximum weight and height allowed for their car seat. Don't use burp cloths as makeshift car seat inserts for infants, as these can hinder the proper placement of the infant's neck and head which could put them at risk for injury during a crash.
Many parents believe, wrongly, that the pillow-like inserts included in certain infant seats and those sold separately will keep their baby safe in case of an accident by preventing a chin from a chest position. This isn't the case. In fact, research suggests that adding an insert or head support to your infant's seat could cause the head to slump
forward facing infant car seat, putting it in an unsafe position. A soft object, such as a blanket that has been rolled up or burp cloth, may also void the warranty of your
infant car seat.
Keeps the head of your baby in a natural position
If you've ever held a newborn you're aware that they require additional head support to keep their little heads elevated.
infant car seat travel car seats are equipped with a padded insert for newborns that helps keep your baby in a safe, upright position. Newborn inserts are similar to miniature pillows that fit inside the seat and provide a comfortable cushion for your child. This is important, especially when you travel for long distances. It will aid your child to sleep and stay awake throughout the journey.
The insert for babies will ensure that your baby's head is positioned in a natural and healthy way. This is especially important for rear-facing vehicles, where the baby's head could become blocked if it is sunk forward. The insert lifts the child up and allows them to reach the bottom set of shoulder strap slots and pushes their head backwards to reduce the risk of choking or restricting their breathing. Always check your car seat's instruction manual for directions on how to remove the newborn insert. It will likely specify an age or weight limit.
As your child grows, the insert used for a newborn car seat will eventually become too small. As your baby grows, they will naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert.
When you take the insert for newborns from the car seat for your baby it is vital to ensure that the harness is tight enough to be safe. You can check this by performing a pinch test using your finger between the shoulder straps and the chest of your baby. If the gap is large or there's a lot of slack, you need to put the newborn insert back into.
Although there are different car seat accessories on the market to use for your baby, it is recommended to stick to the infant insert offered by the manufacturer of your car seat. They are designed to fit in your baby's car seat and will keep them safe during travel.
Keeps your baby comfortable
The insert for newborns is an infant car seat accessory that helps keep babies at ease and secure. It's an extra layer of padding that lifts your baby's height so that the harness straps are at or below their shoulders (if they're in the rear-facing car seat). Without an insert, your child might not sit high enough to allow their harness be adjusted correctly.
A newborn headrest is a good idea because it increases the chances that your baby's head is in the crotch strap position (to keep their chin off their chests). Many new parents think that the head pillow included in some car seats or the rolled receiving blanket or burp cloth that friends suggest they put alongside their child's head, will protect their child's head in an accident. However, these extra padding pieces could actually make the chin-to-chest position more difficult, as they expand during a crash.
Newborn car seat accessories are an excellent way to keep your baby in a comfortable position during the drive and they're simple to use as well. They're usually a piece of fabric or foam that is placed underneath the car seat to raise up the bottom part of the seat. Some include a head hugger and a cushion that are placed under the child's head to lift them up while others are simply a head hugger on its own.
Car seat newborn inserts can be removed once the baby is old enough to fit without them, and most manufacturers have an appropriate weight or height requirement for this. It is recommended to follow the instructions in the manual for your car seat for this information.
If you are still not sure when your baby is ready to stop using a newborn car seat insert It is always advisable to speak with an expert! A CPST can provide valuable guidance to ensure that you are using your baby's car seat correctly, so they'll be as safe as possible. Adding a consultation to your registry is a great way to give loved children peace of mind when you're driving with your child in the back seat!
