Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Most infant and convertible car seat inserts are included to help the baby fit better in the car and be more comfortable. The inserts can be removed once the child reaches the weight limit specified in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Use only the inserts included in your car seat. Anything else could be unsafe, causing your child to be squeezed and the harness straps not to be at the proper height.
Boosts your baby’s sitting position
A car seat insert lets your infant to sit up higher in the seat. This insert helps you secure the harness straps and prevents sliding, which could put your baby at risk of injury if there is an accident. The padding raises your child and reduces the distance between the seat’s bottom and the lowest strap slot. It ensures they are safe in a rear-facing car and their head is not too close to the crotch (which could restrict airflow).
If you’re using convertible car seats the infant insert is removed when your child has reached a certain weight or height limit. This is typically around 5-6 months old. Make sure you read the manual for guidelines on this, and make sure the harness straps for your child remain level with or below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after you have removed the infant insert.
Some head supports for car seats or even those that come with the infant seats themselves – can actually make your child’s head move forward, which could limit their airway, and could put their safety in danger. 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 what to do with these types of head supports.
You should only use the insert included with your child’s car seat. never create makeshift solutions, such as putting a rolled up blanket or a burp cloth on their head. Every car seat is tested to make sure 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 make sure that your child is secure in the seat. You should not be able pinch any slack on the shoulder between your fingers and the harness. If you are unsure, consult a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician or dial the customer service line to seek help.
Helps support your baby’s head and neck
A newborn insert is a cushion designed to support your baby’s head as well as neck. This is because infants have not yet developed the muscles that will allow them to raise their heads on their own. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby’s head up so that they can reach 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 inserts for babies. Other companies also sell head supports designed for use in car seats. However, before you add any kind of padding to your baby’s car seats, review the instructions of the manufacturer for more specific instructions about how to safely use the insert for newborns or head support in your particular infant seat.
Infant inserts and head supports included in most car seats are designed to provide extra padding for newborns and tiny babies. They could be two distinct items that offer more flexibility in adjustment, or a single unit that’s more compact to support.
If you choose to use an infant insert or head support, keep in mind that they should only be used in rear-facing mode, and that they’ll likely outgrow them before your baby reaches the maximum weight and height allowed for their car seat. Don’t use burp cloths as makeshift car seat inserts to infants as they can hinder the proper positioning of the infant’s head and neck which could put them at risk for injury during an accident.
Many parents mistakenly believe that the head support pillows included in certain top rated infant car seats seats or sold separately will help their baby to remain safe in a crash by aiding in preventing a chin-to-chest position. But this isn’t the case. In actual research has revealed that adding an infant insert or headrest can actually cause your baby’s head to sag forward, putting them in a vulnerable position. In addition, using a soft object such as a rolled receiving blanket or a burp cloth instead of the infant car seat in front seat best car seat infant seat insert could void your infant seat’s warranty.
Keeps the baby’s head in its natural position
If you’ve ever held a newborn you’ll know that they need extra head support to keep their tiny heads up. This is why infant car seats come with a padded infant insert that allows your baby to sit in a safe position. Inserts for newborns are like miniature pillows that can be inserted into the seat and provide a comfortable cushion for your child. This is crucial, particularly when traveling for long distances. They can help your baby sleep and stay awake throughout the journey.
The newborn insert will ensure that your baby’s neck is placed in the most natural, healthy manner that is possible. This is especially important for rear-facing car seats where allowing the infant’s head to slump forward can block their airways. The insert lifts the child up which allows them to reach the smallest set of shoulder strap slots and also pushes their head backwards and reduces the chance of choking or blocking their breathing. Always check your car seat’s instruction manual for instructions on how to remove the newborn insert. It is likely to specify an age or weight limit.
As your child grows, the insert for car seats for newborns will naturally shrink to a size that isn’t suitable for your child. As your baby grows, they will naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert.
It is crucial to test the harness after removing the newborn insert from your baby’s car. You can test this by conducting a pinch test. In this test, you put your finger in the space between the shoulder strap and your baby’s chest. If the gap is big or there’s lots of slack you should put the newborn insert back into.
There are a variety of car seat inserts on the market for your baby. However, it is best car seats to select the one provided by the manufacturer of your car seat. They are designed to fit your baby’s car seat newborn seat, and will keep them safe during travel.
Helps keep your baby comfy
The newborn insert is an accessory for car seats designed to keep babies comfy and safe in their infant seats. It’s a layer of extra padding that raises your child so that harness straps can reach their shoulders or are below (if they are in a rear-facing car seat). Without an insert, your child might not sit high enough for their harness to be adjusted correctly.
A newborn insert is a good idea because it increases the likelihood that your baby’s head will remain in the crotch strap position (to keep their chin off their chests). Many new parents think that the head pillow included in some car seats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth friends suggest they put alongside their child’s head, will shield their child’s head in a crash. These additional padding pieces however, can make the chin to chest position worse when they compress in a crash.
They’re easy to use and are a great way to keep your baby happy while driving. They’re typically a piece of fabric or foam that is placed underneath the car seat to lift up the bottom part of the seat. Some come with a cushion as well as a head-hugger that go under the child, while others just have a head-hugger.
Inserts for newborn car seats can be removed once the baby is old enough to be able to fit without them, and many manufacturers have an appropriate weight or height requirement for this. This information can be found in the car seat manual.
It is recommended to speak with an expert if you’re unsure whether or not your baby is at the point of removing the newborn car seat insert. A CPST can provide helpful advice to ensure that you are 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 loved ones peace of mind while you drive with your baby in your back seat.