10 Great Books On Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts designed for infants are provided with the majority of infant car seat uk and convertible car seats to help baby get a better fit and feel more comfortable in the car. Inserts can be removed once the child is at the weight limit set in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Always make sure you use the inserts that come with your car seat--anything else is dangerous and could cause your child to be squeezed or have harness straps that aren't at the right level.
Encourage your baby's sitting posture
A car seat insert designed for infants lets your baby to sit up higher in the seat. This helps you fasten the harness straps securely and correctly and also stops the slouching that could put your baby at risk of injury in the event of an accident. This padding lifts up your child and reduces the distance between the seat's bottom and the lowest harness strap slot. It ensures that they are secure in a rear-facing vehicle and that their head isn't too close to the crotch (which could hinder airflow).
If you're using a convertible car seat the infant insert is removed when your child reaches a certain weight or height limit; this is typically around 5-6 months old. Be sure to read the manual for guidance on this, and make sure the harness straps for your child are still level with or below their shoulders - they might require adjustment after you remove the infant insert.
Some car seat head inserts or even those that come with the infant seats themselves - could actually make your child's head move forward, which could impede their airway and potentially put their safety in danger. So, be sure to always refer to the manual for your car seat and the site of the manufacturer for instructions on when and how to use these types of head supports.
It is best to use the insert included with your child's car seat. do not create improvised solutions, such as placing the blanket in a roll or a burp cloth over their head. Every car seat is tested to make sure that all components work together. Any other insert could hinder this testing and affect your child's security.
The "pinch test" is the best method to ensure that your baby is secure in the seat. You should not be able pinch any slack on the shoulder between your fingers and the harness. If you have any doubts you should consult a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician or call your car seat manufacturer's customer service line to seek help.
Helps support your baby's neck and head
A newborn insert is a cushion designed to help your baby's head and neck. This is essential because muscles that allow infants to raise their heads on their own haven't occurred. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby's head so they can get to the lowest set of shoulder strap slots, and also help keep their head from sliding forward (which could hinder their airways).
Some infant seats have newborn inserts. Other companies also sell head supports that are specifically designed to be used in car seat. Before adding any padding to your child's car seat consult the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure you are using the infant 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 can be a pair of separate items to provide more flexibility, or a single piece with a more compact support.
If you decide to use an infant car seat that swivels head support or insert, keep in mind that your child is likely to outgrow it before reaching the weight and size that is appropriate for their car seat. Never use blankets or burp cloths as car seat inserts for newborns as they can hinder the proper placement of the neck and head of the infant and put them at risk for injury in the event of a crash.
Many parents believe that the pillow-like head supports that are included in some infant car seat newborn seats or sold separately will aid their newborn to stay safe in a crash, by helping to prevent a chin-to chest position. This isn't the case. Research indicates that adding an insert or head support to your infant's car seat could cause the head to sag forward, putting it into an unsafe position. A soft object, such as an unrolled receiving blanket or burp cloth, could also invalidate the warranty on your infant car seat.
Keeps your baby's head in its natural position
If you have ever held your baby, you know that they require additional support to keep their heads up. Car seats for infants come with a padded insert for newborns that helps keep your baby in a secure upright position. The newborn inserts are mini pillows that fit in the seat to provide a comfortable seat for your baby. This is crucial, particularly when traveling for long distances. They will help your baby fall asleep and remain awake during the journey.
The newborn insert will also ensure that your baby's head is set in a natural and healthy way. This is especially important in rear-facing vehicles, where the head of the top rated infant car seats can become blocked if it is sunk forward. The insert lifts the child which allows them to reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots and pushes their head backwards to reduce the risk of choking or obstructing their breathing. It is important to note that you should always consult the manual for your car seat to find specific instructions on how to remove the newborn insert in order to specify an age or weight limit.
As your baby gets older they'll naturally outgrow their newborn car seat insert. They'll get taller and build the muscle strength to hold their heads without the aid of a seat insert. This is the time to think about eliminating the padding from the seat.
It is essential to examine the harness before removing the good infant car seats insert from your baby's car. You can test this by using a pinch test using your finger between the shoulder straps and your baby's chest. If there's a large gap or a lot of stretch in the strap, it is recommended to replace the insert for your newborn.
Although there are various car seat accessories on the market to use for your baby but it's recommended to stick with the newborn insert provided by the manufacturer of your car seat. This is because they're made specifically for your baby's car seat and will be most effective in keeping them secure during travel.
Keeps your baby snug
The newborn insert is an infant car seat accessory that ensures babies are at ease and secure. It's an extra layer of padding that boosts your baby up a little so that the harness straps are at or below their shoulders (if they're in a rear-facing car seat). Your baby might not be able to sit tall enough to ensure that their harness can be adjusted appropriately without the insert.
A newborn insert is also beneficial 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 pillow-like head piece included in some car seats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth that friends suggest they put alongside their child's head, will shield their baby's head during the event of a crash. However, these additional padding pieces can actually make the chin-to-chest positioning more difficult, as they expand during a crash.
They're simple to use and are a great way to keep your baby at ease while driving. They're typically a piece of fabric or foam that is placed underneath the car seat to raise up the bottom of the seat. Some come with a head hugger and a cushion that both are placed under the child's head to lift them up while others are simply a head hugger on its own.
Car seat inserts for infants can be removed when the baby is large enough to fit in without them. The majority of manufacturers will have a weight or height. This information can be found in the manual for car seats.
It is recommended to speak with an expert if unsure whether or not your baby is ready to stop using the newborn car seat insert. A CPST can give you useful advice to make sure your baby is using their car seat safely. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your beloved ones peace of mind while you drive with your baby in the back seat.