Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts for newborns are provided with the majority of infant and convertible car seats to allow babies to fit better and be more comfortable in the car. Inserts can be removed when the child reaches the weight limit stated in the manual of 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 to not be at the right height.
Helps to increase your baby's sitting posture
A car seat insert for infants lets your baby to sit higher in the car seat. This insert assists in securing the harness straps, and prevents the slouching that can expose your baby to the risk of injury if there's a crash. The padding raises your child and decreases the distance between the bottom of the seat and the lowest strap slots. It ensures they are secure in a rear-facing car and that their head isn't too close to the crotch (which could hinder airflow).
If you're using convertible car seats the infant insert can be removed once your child hits a specific weight or height limit. This is typically around 5-6 months old. Read the manual to find out if there are any instructions. Also, make sure that the harness straps of your child are in line or lower than their shoulders. They may have to be adjusted after removing the insert.
Certain head support devices, like those used in
infant car seats that swivel seats, may push the child's head forward. This could limit their airway and put their safety at risk. Therefore, make sure you always read the manual for your car seat as well as the site of the manufacturer for instructions on when and how to use these kinds of head supports.
It is
best car seats infant to use the insert included with the car seat of your child; Never create your own solutions, like placing an unrolled blanket or burp cloth behind their head. Every car seat and its components are thoroughly tested to work together as a system and using any other insert could disrupt this process and threaten your child's safety.
The most secure way to ensure that your baby is comfortable in their car seat is using the "pinch test": you must not pinch any slack between your finger and the harness at their shoulder. If you aren't sure then contact a Child Passenger Security Technician or the customer service number of the manufacturer of your car seat.
Helps support your baby's head and neck
A newborn insert is made to help your baby's neck and head. This is because infants do not yet have the muscles that allow them to raise their heads on their own. Car seat inserts for newborns raise your baby's head so they can reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots and also help keep their head from slumping forward (which could restrict their airways).
Some infant seats come with newborn inserts. Other companies offer head supports that are specifically designed to be used 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 safely.
Infant inserts and head supports that are included in the majority of car seats are designed to provide extra padding for newborns and small babies. This could be a pair of separate items for more flexibility or a single unit with a more streamlined support.
If you decide to use an infant head support or insert, keep in mind that your child is likely to outgrow it before they reach the maximum weight and size for their car seat. Don't use burp cloths as makeshift car seat inserts for infants because they could interfere with the proper positioning of the infant's head and neck and put them at risk for injuries in a crash.
Many parents believe, wrongly that the pillow-like inserts found in certain infant seats and those sold separately will keep their infant safe in an accident by preventing a chin to chest position. This is not true. In fact, research shows that the addition of an insert or head support to your infant's car seat can cause the head to slump forward, putting it into an unsafe position. A soft object, like an unrolled receiving blanket or burp cloth, may also invalidate the warranty of your infant car seat.
Keeps your baby's head in a natural posture
If you've ever held a newborn, you know they need additional head support in order to keep their little heads up. This is why infant car seats come with a cushioned newborn insert that helps your baby sit in a comfortable position. Newborn inserts are similar to miniature pillows that can be inserted into the seat and provide a comfy cushion for your child. This is crucial, particularly when traveling long distances. It will aid your child to sleep and remain awake throughout the journey.
The insert for newborns will also ensure that the neck of your baby is positioned in the most natural and healthy way possible. This is especially important in rear-facing cars, where the head of the infant can become obstructed if it slumps forward. The insert lifts the child up which allows them to reach the lowest set of shoulder strap slots and pushes their head back to reduce the risk of choking or blocking their breathing. It's worth mentioning that you should always consult the car seat's manual for specific instructions on how to remove the infant insert and when to remove it, as it may provide an age limit or weight limit.
As your baby grows older, they'll naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert. As your baby grows, they will naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert.
It is essential to examine the harness when you remove the newborn insert from the car of your baby. You can check this by pinch testing by placing your finger between the shoulder straps and the chest of your baby. If the gap is big or there's lots of slack you should put the newborn insert back in.
While there are a few various car seat accessories on the market to apply to your newborn however, it's recommended to stick to the infant insert offered by the manufacturer of your car seat. This is because they're designed specifically for your baby's car seat and are most effective in keeping them safe while traveling.
Keeps your baby snug
The insert for newborns is an infant car seat accessory that keeps babies at ease and secure. It's a layer of padding that boosts your baby's height to ensure that the harness straps are at or below their shoulders (if they're in the rear-facing car seat). Your child may not be able to sit high enough so that their harness can be adjusted properly without the insert.
A newborn headrest is beneficial as it increases the chances that your baby's head will stay in the crotch strap position (to keep their chin from their chest). Many new parents think that the head pillow included in some car seats or the rolled receiving blanket or burp cloth friends suggest they put alongside their child's head will protect their child's head in a crash. However, these additional padding pieces can actually make the chin-to chest positioning worse, since they compress during a crash.
They're simple to use and a great method to keep your child at ease while driving. They're typically made of fabric or foam that is inserted under the car seat in order to lift up the bottom part of the seat. Some include a head-hugger and a cushion that go under the child to lift them up, while others are simply a head hugger on its own.
Inserts for infant
best car seats for infants seats can be removed once the infant is old enough to be able to fit without them, and most manufacturers have the weight or height guidelines for this. This information is found in the car seat manual.
If you're not sure whether or when your baby is ready to stop using a newborn car seat It is always advisable to consult an expert! A CPST can provide valuable guidance to ensure that you're using the correct car seat for your baby and that they are as secure as they can be. Include a consultation on your registry is a great method to gift your loved ones peace of mind while driving with your child in the back seat!
