car seat inserts for newborns (click for more)
The majority of infant and convertible car seat inserts are included to help the baby fit better in the car and to be more comfortable. They can be removed once the child has reached a certain weight limit in the manual for the car seat.
Only use the inserts that come in your car seat. Anything else could be unsafe, causing your child to be squished and for the harness straps not to be at the correct height.
Encourage your baby’s sitting posture
A car seat insert designed for newborns allows your tiny baby to sit higher up in the car seat. This insert assists in securing the harness straps and stops slouching, which can put your baby at risk of injury in the event that there’s an accident. This padding lifts up your child and decreases the distance between the bottom of the seat and the lowest harness strap slot. It ensures they are safe in a rear-facing car and their head is not too close to the crotch (which could hinder airflow).
If you have a convertible car seat, you can take out the infant insert once your child reaches the weight or height limit. This is typically around five to six months old. Be sure to check the manual for guidelines on this, and also make sure your child’s harness straps are not sagging below their shoulders – they may need to be re-adjusted after you have removed the infant insert.
Some car seat head inserts or even those that are included in the infant seats themselves – could actually cause your child’s head to move forward, which can restrict their airway, and could put their safety in danger. Review the directions in the manual of your car seat or on the website of the manufacturer to determine the best infant carrier car seat time and method for using these head supports are to be used.
Make sure to use only the insert that came along with your child’s seat. Do not use a flimsier solution, such as burp cloths or a rolled-up blanket on top rated infant car seats of their head. Each car seat is tested to make sure that all components work. Any other insert could interfere with this testing and affect your child’s safety.
Remember, the safest way to ensure that your child is comfortable in their seat is by applying the “pinch test”: you should not be able to squeeze 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 the car seat manufacturer.
Supports for your baby’s neck and head
A newborn insert is a small cushion designed to help your baby’s head and neck. This is due to the fact that infants aren’t yet able to develop the muscles that will allow them to raise their heads on their own. Car seat inserts for newborns raise your baby’s head to ensure they can reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots, and also help keep their head from slumping forward (which could hinder their airways).
Some infant seats come with inserts for babies and other companies also offer head supports specifically designed to be used in car seats. However, before you add any type of padding to your baby’s car seat review the instructions of the manufacturer for more specific instructions regarding how to use the insert for newborns or head support in your specific travel infant car seat seat.
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. This can be a pair of separate items to provide more flexibility, or a single piece 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 reaching the maximum weight and size for their car seat. Do not use burp or blanket cloths as car seat inserts for infants because they could interfere with the proper placement of the neck and head of the infant, putting them at risk of injuries in a crash.
Many parents believe that the head support pillows included in certain infant seats or sold separately will aid their baby to remain safe in a crash, by aiding in preventing a chin-to-chest position. But this isn’t the case; in fact, research has shown that adding an infant insert or headrest can actually cause your baby’s head to sag forward into a compromising position. In addition using a soft item like a rolled reception 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 a newborn you’ll know that they need additional head support in order to keep their little heads elevated. Car seats for infants come with a padded insert for newborns that helps keep your baby in a secure, upright position. The inserts for newborns are miniature pillows that fit in the seat to provide a comfortable seat for your baby. This is important, especially when traveling long distances. It will aid your child to sleep and stay awake throughout the journey.
The insert for newborns will also ensure that your baby’s neck is placed in the most natural, healthy way possible. This is particularly important in rear-facing car seats where allowing the infant’s head to lean forward can restrict their airways. The insert raises the child’s body, allowing them reach the shoulder strap slots. It also pulls the head back to lessen the risk of getting choked. It is recommended to always read your car seat’s instruction manual for instructions on how to remove the newborn insert. It will likely specify the weight limit or age limit.
As your child grows, the insert used for car seats for newborns will naturally become too small. They’ll get taller and develop the muscle strength needed to hold their heads without the aid of an insert, which is the time to think about eliminating the padding from the seat.
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 using your finger between the shoulder straps and the chest of your baby. If there’s a large gap or a lot of slack in the strap, you need to replace the newborn insert.
Although there are various car seat accessories on the market that you could apply to your newborn but it’s recommended to stick to the rotating infant car seat insert supplied by your car seat’s manufacturer. They are specifically designed to fit into your baby’s car seat, and will ensure that they are safe while traveling.
Keeps your baby snug
The newborn insert is an accessory for car seats that is designed to keep babies comfy and secure in their infant seats. It’s an extra layer of padding that raises your baby so that the harness straps reach their shoulders or are below (if they are in a rear facing car seat). Your baby might not be able to sit high enough so that their harness can be adjusted correctly without the insert.
A newborn insert is a good idea because it increases the chances that your baby’s head will remain in the crotch strap position (to keep their chin away from their chest). Many new parents think that the head pillow included in some car seats or the rolled receiving blanket or burp cloth that people suggest they place on their child’s head, will protect the head of their child in an accident. These additional padding pieces, however, can cause the chest to chin position worse when they compress during the event of a crash.
Car seat accessories for newborns are a great way to help keep your baby comfortable when driving, and they’re easy to use as well. They’re typically a piece of foam or cloth that is inserted under the car seat to raise up the bottom part of the seat. Some include a head hugger and a cushion that sit under the child to lift them up while others are simply a head hugger on its own.
Inserts for newborn car seats can be removed when the baby is old enough to fit without them, and many manufacturers have the weight or height guidelines for this. Always follow the instructions in your car seat’s manual for this information.
It is best to talk to an expert if uncertain about whether or not your baby is ready to quit using the car seat insert for newborns. A CPST can provide valuable guidance to ensure that you’re using the car seat properly for your baby, so they’ll be as safe as possible. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your beloved children peace of mind as you drive with your baby in your back seat.