Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts for infants are included with most convertible and infant car seats to allow babies to get a better fit and feel more comfortable in the Car Seat Newborn Insert. Inserts can be removed when the child is at the weight limit set in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Only use the inserts that come in your car seat. Anything else could be unsafe, causing your baby to get squished and the harness straps not to be at the proper height.
Boosts your baby’s sitting position
A car seat insert allows your newborn to sit higher in the seat. This helps you fasten the harness straps correctly and securely and also stops slouching that can put your infant at risk of injury in the event of collision. This padding lifts your child up and shortens the distance between their bottom and the lowest set of straps for harness, ensuring they’re secure in the car seat that faces rearwards and that their head doesn’t get too close to the crotch strap (which can hinder airflow).
If you’re using a convertible car seat the insert for your newborn can be removed when your child reaches a certain weight or height limit. This is typically around 5-6 months old. Be sure to check the manual for guidelines on this, and make sure the harness straps for your child remain level with or below their shoulders – they may need to be re-adjusted after removing the infant insert.
Some head supports for car seats – and even some that are included with infant seats themselves – could actually make your child’s head move forward, which can restrict their airway and put their safety at risk. Therefore, make sure you always refer to the car seat manual and the site of the manufacturer for instructions on when and how to use these types of head supports.
Make sure to use only the insert that came with your child’s car seat. Do not use a flimsier solution, like an old burp cloth or rolled up blanket behind their head. Every car seat is tested to make sure that all components function. Utilizing any other insert could hinder the testing process and could compromise your child’s security.
Remember, the most secure method to ensure that your baby is comfortable in their car seat is applying the “pinch test” and you must not pinch any slack between your finger and the harness at their shoulder. 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 top rated baby car seats‘s head and neck
A newborn insert is a tiny cushion designed to help your baby’s head and neck. This is because infants do not yet have the muscles that will allow them to lift their heads on their own. Car seat inserts for newborns raise your baby’s neck in order that it can reach the lowest set shoulder strap slots and also keep their head from slouching forward (which could cause obstruction to airways).
Some infant seats have inserts for newborns. Other companies offer head supports specifically designed for use in car seat. Before adding padding to your child’s car seat review the directions of the manufacturer to ensure you are using the newborn insert or head support in a safe manner.
Infant inserts and head supports that are included in the majority of car seats are designed to provide extra padding for infants and small babies. They can be two separate items that provide greater adjustability or one unit that is more streamlined for support.
If you choose to use an infant insert or head support, remember that they are intended to be used only in rear-facing mode, and that they’ll likely outgrow them before they reach the maximum weight and height permitted for their car seat. Do not use burp or blanket cloths as makeshift car seat inserts to infants as they can interfere with the proper placement of the infant’s neck and head which could put them at risk for injury during a crash.
Many parents mistakenly believe that the head support pillows included in some infant seats or sold separately can help their newborn to stay safe in a crash by aiding in preventing a chin-to-chest position. This is not true. Research suggests that the addition of an insert or head support to your infant’s car seat could cause the head to sag forward, putting it in an unsafe position. In addition, using a soft object like a rolled receiving blanket or a burp cloth in place of the infant car seat insert could cause the infant seat to lose its warranty.
Keeps your baby’s head in its natural position
If you’ve ever held your baby, you know that they need extra support to keep their heads up. This is why infant car seats come with a padded infant insert that can help your baby sit in a safe position. Newborn inserts are similar to mini pillows that fit into the seat and provide a comfy cushion for your child. This is particularly important when traveling for long distances as it will make it easier for your baby to fall asleep and remain awake throughout the journey.
The insert for babies will ensure that your baby’s head is placed in a natural and healthy way. This is especially important for rear-facing cars, where the infant’s head can become obstructed if it slumps forward. The insert raises the child’s head, allowing them reach the lowest set shoulder strap slots. It also pushes the head back, reducing the risk of getting choked. It is recommended to always read your car seat’s instruction manual for instructions on how to remove the infant insert. It is likely to specify the weight limit or age limit.
As your baby gets older they’ll naturally outgrow the infant car seat insert. They’ll get taller and build the strength and muscle to hold their heads without the help of a seat insert. This is the time to think about eliminating the padding from the seat.
When you take the newborn insert out of your baby’s car seat, it is crucial that you check that the harness is secure enough to be safe. You can test this by conducting the pinch test, in which you put your finger in the gap between the strap for your shoulder and your baby’s chest. If the gap is large or there’s plenty of slack, you must put the newborn insert back into.
There are numerous car seat inserts for your baby. However, it’s best to use the one provided by the manufacturer of your car seat. This is because they’re designed specifically for your baby’s specific car seat and will be the most effective in keeping them safe while traveling.
Keeps your baby comfortable
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 raises your baby so that harness straps can reach their shoulders or below (if they are in a rear facing car seat). Without an insert, your child might not sit high enough to allow their harness be properly adjusted.
A newborn headband can be a good idea, because it makes it more likely that your baby’s chin away from their chest. Many new parents believe that the head pillow included in some car seats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth that people suggest they place on their child’s head, will protect their child’s head in a crash. These additional padding pieces however, could actually make the chin to chest positioning worse as they compress in an accident.
They’re easy to use and are a great way to keep your baby at ease while driving. They’re typically made of fabric or foam that is inserted under the car seat to lift up the bottom of the seat. Some include a head-hugger and a cushion that both sit under the child to lift them up while others are simply a head hugger on its own.
Car seat newborn car seat insert inserts can be removed once the baby is old enough to fit without them. Most manufacturers have the weight or height guidelines for this. Always follow the directions in the manual for your car seat for this information.
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. A CPST can provide you with helpful advice to ensure that your baby is safe in their car seat. Include a consultation on your registry is an easy way to give loved children peace of mind when you’re driving with your baby in the back seat!