Car seat inserts designed for infants are included with most infant and convertible car seats to allow babies to get a better fit and feel more comfortable in the car. The inserts can be removed when the child is at the weight limit stated in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Use only the inserts included with your car seat. Anything else is unsafe, causing your baby to get squished and the harness straps to not be at the correct height.
Helps to increase your baby’s sitting posture
A car seat insert allows your infant to sit up higher in the seat. This insert assists in securing the harness straps and prevents sliding, which could expose your baby to the risk of injury in the event that there is a crash. This padding lifts up your child’s head and reduces the distance between the bottom of the seat and the lowest harness strap slots. It makes sure that they are safe in a rear-facing vehicle and that their head isn’t too close to the crotch (which could restrict airflow).
If you’re using a convertible car seat the insert for your newborn can be removed when your child has reached a certain weight or height limit. This typically occurs between 5 and 6 months old. Be sure to read the manual for instructions on this, and make sure your child’s harness straps are still level with or below their shoulders. They might require adjustment after removing the infant insert.
Certain head supports, such as those included in infant car seat in front seat seats, can actually make the child’s head tilt forward. This can limit their airway and put their safety at risk. Read the instructions in the car seat manual or on the website of the manufacturer to determine the best time and method for using these head supports are to be used.
Make sure to use only the insert that came with your child’s car seat. Do not use a flimsier solution, such as an old burp cloth or rolled up blanket behind their head. Each car seat is tested to ensure that all components work. Utilizing any other insert could hinder this testing and affect your child’s security.
The most secure way to ensure that your baby is snugly seated in their car seat is using the “pinch test”: you should not be able to pinch any slack between your finger and the harness at their shoulder. If you are unsure you are not sure, call a Child Passenger Security Technician or the customer service number of the manufacturer of your car seat.
It supports your baby’s neck and head
A newborn insert is a tiny cushion designed to help your baby’s head and neck. This is due to the fact that infants do not yet have the muscles that will allow them to lift their heads on their own. Newborn car seat inserts 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 facing infant car seat (which could block their airways).
Some infant seats come with newborn inserts. Other companies also sell head supports specifically designed for use in car seat. Before you add any padding to your child’s car seat, review the directions of the manufacturer to ensure that you are using the newborn insert or the head support in a safe manner.
The infant car seats best inserts and head supports included in the majority of car seats are designed to provide extra padding needed for newborns and babies of smaller sizes. They could be two distinct items that offer more flexibility in adjustment, or a single piece that’s more compact to support.
If you decide to use an infant insert or head support, keep in mind that these are only suitable for use in a rear-facing position, and that they’ll likely outgrow them before reaching the maximum weight and height permitted for their car seat. Never use blankets or cloth burps to create an insert for car seats for infants. They can impede the proper positioning for the baby’s neck and head, which could lead to injuries in a crash.
Many parents believe, incorrectly that the pillow-like inserts found in certain infant seats and those sold separately will keep their child safe in case of an accident by preventing a chin to chest position. This is not the case; in fact research has proven that the addition of an infant insert or head support can actually cause your baby’s head to sag forward, putting them in a vulnerable position. A soft object, like an unrolled receiving blanket or burp cloth, could also void the warranty of your infant car seat.
Keeps your baby’s head in a natural position
If you’ve ever held a baby, you will know that they need extra support to keep their heads straight. Car seats for infants are fitted with a padded insert designed for newborns that keeps your baby in a secure upright position. Inserts for newborns are like miniature pillows that fit inside the seat and provide a comfy cushion for your child. This is important, especially when you travel for long distances. They will help your baby sleep and remain awake throughout the journey.
The newborn insert will also ensure that your baby’s head is set in a healthy, natural way. This is particularly important in rear-facing vehicles, where the head of the infant can become obstructed if it slumps forward. The insert raises the child’s head to allow them to reach the lowest shoulder strap slots. It also pushes the head back to lessen the chance of getting choked. Always check 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 baby gets older they’ll naturally outgrow their newborn car seat insert. As your baby grows, they will naturally outgrow the infant car seat insert.
When you take the insert for newborns out of the car seat of your baby it is vital that you check whether the harness is tight enough to be safe. You can check this by conducting the pinch test, in which you place your finger in the gap between the strap for your shoulder and your baby’s chest. If the gap is big or there’s lots of slack you must put the newborn insert back into.
Although there are different car seat accessories on the market that you can use for your newborn but it’s best to stick with the infant insert offered by your car seat’s manufacturer. This is because they’re made specifically for your baby’s car seat and are most effective in keeping them safe while traveling.
Keeps your baby snug
The newborn insert is an accessory for car seats that is that is designed to keep babies cozy and secure in their infant seats. It’s a layer of extra padding that raises your child so that the harness straps reach their shoulders or lower (if they are in a rear facing car seat). Your baby may not be able to sit up high enough to ensure that their harness can be adjusted correctly without the insert.
A newborn insert could be a good idea since it will make it more likely that your baby’s chin to remain away from their chest. Many parents believe that the pillow-like inserts that come with certain carseats or the rolled up receiving blanket or burpcloth that friends suggest to put on their child’s face will protect the brain of their child in the event of a crash. However, these additional padding pieces could actually make the chin-to chest positioning worse, since they compress when a crash occurs.
Car seat accessories for newborns are an excellent way to keep your baby comfortable during the drive, and they’re easy to use as well. They are typically pieces of foam or fabric that are inserted under the car seat in order to raise the seat’s bottom. Some come with a cushion and a head-hugger to go under the child, whereas others just have an head-hugger.
The car seat inserts for infants can be removed when the Lightweight Baby Car Seat is large enough to be able to live without them. The majority of manufacturers have a suggested weight or height. This information is available in the car seat manual.
It is best to talk to a professional if you are uncertain about whether or not your baby is ready to quit using the car seat insert for newborns. A CPST can offer valuable advice to ensure that you’re using your baby’s car seat correctly and that they are as secure as they can be. Include a consultation on your registry is an easy way to give your loved ones peace of mind while driving with your baby in the back seat!