Car Seat Newborn

Infant car seats provide an ideal and secure fit for babies. Most are "click in and snap" models which makes them easy to use.

The chest clip should be positioned between your lightweight baby car seat's armpits. If the seat manufacturer allows the use of a tightly rolled receiving blanket to cover any gaps between your baby seat's bottom and their crotch straps to prevent them from the slouching.

Safety Seat Labels

Make sure you go through all the labels before purchasing a car seat for newborns or other baby products. Those labels can provide you with an idea of how to use the product safely and how to care for it in a safe manner. They can also be used to identify products that aren't legal or not authentic.

Be cautious if, for instance, you notice a marked-down price on the car seat for children. The lower price could mean that the car seat was modified or is not in compliance with U.S. safety standards, or is designed to be sold internationally. In these instances the lower cost could make the car seat less safe and could result in serious injury to the child in the event of an accident.

Labeling requirements for car seats are very specific. They must be met to pass inspections, and to be legally sold in the United States. The label must be white with red and black letters to show that the seat is in compliance with federal regulations. It must also include an indication on the seat's back that contains the model number, serial numbers, date of manufacture and instructions for use. A valid car seat should also come with a manual and registration card to verify that the seat has been purchased from an authorized dealer.

The label of car seats also include information on the maximum weight and height of the child. These limits help you determine if the seat is right for your child. If your child is short and weighs less than 22 pounds, you'll need a rear-facing seat.

Some seats, including convertible seats, will have a label that tells you how to recline the seat in the correct way. This could be an indication of how to align the seat to the ground or a ball which needs to be placed in a particular slot. This is important as the seat that isn't properly reclining could result in injuries to your child in the event of an accident.

The majority of manufacturers place the warning label centered on the front of the cushion. This is because it will be readily visible while the child is riding in the seat. It is easy to read and won't be hidden by clothing or other items.

Harness Straps

Always ensure that the harness straps on your child's car seat or stroller carriers are secure and correctly positioned. This is especially important when it comes to newborns, who could easily slip out of a loose harness or be removed from the seat in an accident.

The 5-point harness is designed so that it contacts five different areas of your child's body. These include the hips, shoulders, and the crotch between. This helps to distribute any crash force evenly. Ideally, the straps should be snug but not tight or uncomfortable. If you're unsure of the fit, you can try the "Pinch Test". Use your fingers and thumbs to pinch the strap on the shoulders of your child. If the strap feels so tight that it causes discomfort, it's too tight and should be released.

Many parents believe that their child's harness is too tight. But, this could be more risky than straps that are loose. A strap that is loose could move with your child's torso during the event of a crash, and compress their spinal column, causing injury or even death.

If your child is a forward-facing child, the harness straps must be placed snugly AT or ABOVE the shoulders. A strap placed below the shoulder could cause the child's body to move too far forward in the event of a crash. This could result in them being forced out of the car seat, or into the windshield. This could cause them to hit the shoulder restraint with their head, causing severe injuries or even death.

If the chest clip of your child is located above their armpits, then it's recommended to place a couple of blankets or washcloths beside the baby as a head and neck support. This will prevent them from squirming on the back seat and getting their neck caught in the chest clip which could lead to strangulation if the car crashes.

Chest Clip

One of the most misunderstood of car seat features is the chest clip. Many parents are led to believe that it is used to secure the child in the car seat and even if it is properly positioned, it can have some scary myths attached to it (low chest clips piercing stomachs, for instance).

The chest clip isn't strong enough to hold your child in an accident. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle, which is why it's important to buckle the harness at the crotch and not at the chest. If the chest clip is set too low, the harness straps may slide off of the shoulders during the event of a crash. This could result in being thrown from the car seat. This is the reason it's recommended to place the chest clip in the armpit, which is also the place where the majority of car seat manuals recommend placing it.

Chest clips serve as a pre-crash positioning device and help keep the harness straps aligned and on the child's shoulders. In the event of a crash it's not uncommon for a chest clip to break or slide down due to the force applied to it during the crash however this won't impact your child's safety in any way as long as the harness is secured at the crotch buckle.

If your child wears a jacket or blanket make sure you remove it before you secure the harness. This could prevent the straps from fitting properly on the shoulders. When putting your child to the car seat, you should leave bulky outer clothing at home.

A chest clip that's not correctly positioned could hinder your child's ability to reach the buckle on their seat. This could be risky if they are trying to escape their seat while driving. It could result in them accidentally unbuckling themselves in a sudden stop, or crash. The best infant seat solution is to put a Buckle Guard on your car seat, which stops your child from pressing the release button and opening their chest clip.

Crotch Buckle

The crotch buckle is situated below the baby's shoulders (when in a rear facing car seat) or above their shoulders (when in a forward-facing car seat). It should be as close to their body as it is possible and positioned between their legs.

Newborns' floppy legs are often tucked in the crotch, and they do not sit in the correct position. This can limit their airway and cause them to choke or even become unresponsive in the event of a crash.

The cover for the buckle can be made using a simple crochet pattern to keep the legs in place. The pattern should not have any loose threads around the buckle. Ideally, the cover should also be constructed using a stretchy, soft yarn.

It is recommended to speak with a child passenger safety technician (who is an expert in the car seat industry) for more details about the specific model you have and the best method to secure it. Even if you've followed the instructions for your car seat there is always more to learn than what is apparent.

Infant car seats are specially made for newborns and small infants. They attach to the vehicle's base and can be removed with a single click. They come with a variety of characteristics that make them safer than the larger convertible car seats and include a recline indicator to ensure the baby is sitting upright.

Many parents choose infant car seats because of their portability and convenience, especially when travelling. But, it's important to note that they're only safe to use up until your baby reaches the maximum height and weight limits of the seat.

If your top rated baby car seats grows out of the infant car seat (look at more info), they should be switched to a convertible car seat. These seats offer excellent safety features, like carefully engineered side impact protection as well as a five-point harness. However, they are more difficult to change between vehicles and take up more space than infant car seats.

A large hook and size five crochet thread are needed to make a crotch-buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover should sit over the buckle on the car seat, with some inches of fabric to drape over the edge. Start with a standing sc in the first chain from the end of the strap. Work in sc across the entire strap including the chains from the previous row. Repeat the process at the other end. Attach the strap and weave in ends.