Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
The majority of infant and convertible car seat inserts come with to help the baby fit better in the car and feel more comfortable. The inserts can be removed once the child is at the weight limit stated in the manual of the
best car seats for newborns seat.
Use only the inserts included in your car seat. Anything else can be unsafe, causing your child to be squished and for the harness straps to not be at the proper height.
Helps to increase your baby's sitting posture
A car seat insert permits your infant to sit higher in the seat. This helps you fasten the harness straps securely and correctly and prevents sliding that could put your infant at risk of injury in the event of collision. This padding lifts up your child's head and reduces the distance between the bottom of the seat and the lowest harness strap slots. It ensures that they are secure in a car that is rear-facing and their head is not too close to the crotch (which can restrict the airflow).
If you're using a convertible car seat the infant insert can be removed when your child reaches a certain weight or height limit; this is usually around 5-6 months old. Be sure to read the manual for guidance regarding this, and make sure your child's harness straps are not sagging below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after you remove the infant insert.
Certain head support devices, like those used in infant seats, can actually cause the child's head to tilt forward. This could limit their airway and put their safety in danger. So, be sure to always check the manual for your car seat as well as the manufacturer's website for guidelines on when and how to use these types of head supports.
Use only the insert that came with your child's seat. Do not use a substitute solution, like an old burp cloth or rolled up blankets on top of their heads. Each car seat is tested to ensure that all components work together. Utilizing any other insert could hinder this testing and affect your child's security.
The "pinch test" is the most effective way to ensure that your child is securely seated in the seat. You shouldn't be able to squeeze any slack at the shoulder between your fingers and the harness. If you are in doubt you should consult a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician or dial your car seat manufacturer's customer service line to seek assistance.
Supports for your baby's neck and head
A newborn insert is designed to help your baby's neck and head. This is important because muscles that allow infants to raise their heads independently haven't yet been achieved. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby's head to ensure they can get to the lowest set of shoulder strap slots and also help keep their head from sliding
forward facing infant car seat (which could block their airways).
Some infant seats come with inserts for babies, and other companies 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 that you are using the infant insert or head support properly.
best infant car seat inserts and head supports that come with most car seats are designed to provide extra padding for newborns and tiny babies. It could be a set of separate items to provide more flexibility or a single unit with a more efficient support.
If you choose to use an infant insert or head support, remember that these are intended to be used only in a rear-facing orientation, and that they'll likely outgrow them before your baby reaches the maximum weight and height permitted for their car seat. Do not use blankets or cloth burps to make an insert for your car seat for infants. They can impede the proper position of the infant's neck or head and could cause injuries in the event of a crash.
Many parents believe, incorrectly, that the pillow-like inserts found in some infant seats and those sold separately will keep their baby safe in 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 the infant's seat can cause the head to slump forward, putting it in a dangerous position. A soft object, such as a blanket that has been rolled up 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 baby, you know they need extra head support to keep their little heads up. Infant car seats are equipped with a padded insert for newborns that keeps your baby in a safe upright position. The newborn inserts are small pillows that fit in the seat to provide a cushion for your baby. This is crucial, particularly when traveling long distances. They will aid your child to fall asleep and remain awake during the journey.
The insert for newborns will also ensure that your baby's neck is placed in the most natural and healthy way possible. This is especially important for rear-facing car seats where the baby's head being allowed to slump
forward facing infant car seat can block their airways. The insert raises the child's head, allowing them reach the shoulder strap slots. It also pushes the head back, reducing the chance of choking. Always check the instruction manual for your car seat for instructions on how to remove the newborn insert. It will likely specify an age or weight limit.
As your baby gets older they'll naturally outgrow the infant car seat insert. They'll get taller and build the muscle strength to hold their heads up without the help of a seat insert. This is when you can consider taking the padding off the seat.
When you take the newborn insert out of the car seat of your baby It is essential that you check that the harness is still secure enough to be safe. You can check this by performing a pinch test using your finger between the shoulder straps and your baby's chest. If the gap is large or there's plenty of slack, you must put the newborn insert back into.
While there are a few different car seat accessories on the market that you can use for your baby however, it's recommended to stick to the infant insert supplied by your car seat's manufacturer. This is because they're designed specifically for your baby's specific car seat and will be most effective at keeping them safe while traveling.
Keeps your baby comfortable
The insert for newborns is an infant car seat accessory that ensures babies are secure and comfortable. It's an extra layer of padding that boosts your baby's height so that the harness straps are located at or below their shoulders (if they're in a rear-facing car seat). Your baby may not be able to sit up high enough to ensure that their harness can be adjusted appropriately without an insert.
A newborn insert is also an excellent idea as it increases the chances that your baby's head will remain in the crotch strap position (to keep their chin from their chest). Many new parents think that the head pillow that comes with some carseats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth friends suggest they put alongside their child's head, will shield their baby's head during an accident. These additional padding pieces, however, can make the chin-to-chest positioning worse as they compress in a crash.
They're simple to use and are a great way to keep your baby at ease while driving. They're usually a piece of foam or cloth that is inserted under the
car seats by age seat in order to lift up the bottom of the seat. Some include a head hugger and a cushion which both are placed under the child's head to raise them up, while others are just a head hugger on its own.
Car seat inserts for newborns can be removed once the infant is big enough to fit in without them. The majority of manufacturers have a recommended weight or height. This information can be found in the manual for car seats.
It is recommended to speak with an expert if you're uncertain about whether or not your baby is at the point of removing the newborn car seat insert (
click this). A CPST can provide you with useful advice to make sure your baby is using their car seat safely. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your loved ones peace of mind while you travel with your child in your back seat.
