Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
The majority of infant and convertible car seat inserts are included to help the baby sit better in the car and feel more comfortable. They can be removed when the child has reached a certain weight limit in the manual for the car seat.
Always use the inserts that come with your car seat–anything else is dangerous and could cause your baby to be squished or have harness straps that aren’t at right level.
Encourage your baby’s sitting posture
A car seat insert designed for infants lets your baby to sit up higher in the seat. This insert helps you secure the harness straps and stops the slouching that can put your baby at risk of injury if there’s an accident. This padding supports your child and reduces the distance between the bottom of the seat and the lowest strap slots. It makes sure that they are secure in a car that is rear-facing and that their head isn’t too close to the crotch (which could restrict airflow).
If you have a convertible seat you can take out the infant insert when your child reaches the weight or height limit. This usually occurs between five to six months of age. Make sure you read the manual for guidance on this, and also make sure that the harness straps of your child are still level with or below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after you have removed the infant insert.
Some head inserts, including those that come with infant seats, could push the child’s head forward. This could limit their airway and put their safety in danger. Check the instructions in the car seat manual or on the manufacturer’s site to find out the best time and method for using these head supports should be used.
Make sure to use only the insert that came along with your child’s car seat. Do not use a flimsier solution, such as a burp cloth or rolled-up blanket behind their head. Each car seat and its components are thoroughly tested to ensure that they function as a unit and using any other insert can hinder this process and threaten your child’s safety.
The “pinch test” is the most effective way to ensure that your child is safely seated in the seat. You shouldn’t be able to squeeze any slack at the shoulder between your finger and harness. If you have any doubts seek out a certified child Safety Technician for Passenger Safety or call your car seat manufacturer’s customer service number to seek help.
Helps support your baby’s head and neck
A newborn insert is made to help your baby’s neck and head. This is because newborns aren’t yet able to develop the muscles that allow them to lift their heads on their own. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby’s head to ensure that they can reach the lowest set of shoulder strap slots, and also help keep their head from slumping forward (which could restrict their airways).
Some infant seats come with inserts for newborns. Other companies offer head supports specifically designed for use in car seat. Before adding any padding to your child’s car seat, consult the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure that you are using the newborn insert or head support safely.
Infant inserts and head supports that come with most car seats are designed to provide additional padding for newborns and small babies. This could be a pair of separate items for more flexibility or a single item with a more streamlined support.
If you choose to use an infant insert or head support, keep in mind that they should only be used in a rear-facing orientation and that they’ll outgrow them before your baby reaches the maximum weight and height allowed for their car seat. Do not use blankets or cloth burps to make an insert for car seats for babies. They can impede the proper position of the baby’s neck and head which could result in injuries in the event of a crash.
Many parents mistakenly believe that the head support pillows included in some infant seats or sold separately will aid their baby to remain secure in a crash by aiding in preventing a chin-to-chest position. It’s not the case. Research suggests that adding an insert or head support to the infant’s seat could cause the head to slump forward, putting it into a dangerous position. Additionally using a soft item like a rolled reception blanket or a burp cloth instead of the newborn car seat insert could potentially cause the infant seat to lose its warranty.
Keeps your baby’s head in its natural position
If you have ever held the baby, you be aware that they require extra support to keep their heads straight. Infant car seats are equipped with a padded insert designed for newborns that helps keep your baby in a safe, upright position. Newborn inserts are like miniature pillows that can be inserted into the seat and provide a comfy cushion for your child. This is particularly important when traveling for long distances because it makes it easier for your child to fall asleep and stay awake during the trip.
The insert for babies will ensure that your baby’s head is positioned in a healthy, natural way. This is especially important in rear-facing vehicles, where the baby seat‘s head could be blocked if it slouches forward. The insert raises the child’s body to allow them to reach the shoulder strap slots. It also pulls the head back to lessen the chance of choking. You should always check your car seat’s instruction manual for instructions on how to remove the infant insert. It will likely specify an age or weight limit.
As your child grows, the insert for a newborn car seat will eventually become too small. As your baby grows, they will naturally outgrow the infant car seat insert.
When you take the insert for newborns from your baby’s car seat, it is crucial that you check that the harness is tight enough to be safe. You can test this by using a pinch test, which involves placing your finger between the shoulder straps and your baby’s chest. If the gap is big or there’s plenty of slack, you should put the newborn insert back in.
While there are a few different car seat accessories on the market that you can apply to your newborn however, it’s recommended to stick with the infant insert offered by the manufacturer of your car seat. They are designed to fit your baby’s car seat and keep them safe during travel.
Helps keep your baby comfy
The newborn insert is a car seat accessory designed to keep babies comfortable and secure in their infant seats. It’s an additional layer of padding that lifts your baby up a little to ensure that the harness straps are at or below their shoulders (if they’re in the rear-facing car seat). Without an insert, your child may not be sitting high enough to allow their harness to be adjusted correctly.
A newborn insert could be a good idea as it will make it more likely for your baby’s chin to remain away from their chest. Many new parents believe that the pillow-like head piece that comes with some carseats or the rolled receiving blanket or burp cloth friends suggest they put alongside their child’s head, will shield the head of their child in the event of a crash. These additional padding pieces, however, can make the chin to chest positioning more difficult as they expand in the event of a crash.
They are easy to use and are a great option to keep your baby happy while driving. They’re typically made of foam or cloth that is placed underneath the car seat to raise up the bottom of the seat. Some have a cushion and a head-hugger that go under the child, while others have just an head-hugger.
Inserts for newborn car seats can be removed when the infant is old enough to be able to fit without them. Most manufacturers have a weight or height recommendation for this. This information is available in the manual for car seats.
It’s best to consult a professional if you are uncertain whether your baby is at the point of removing the newborn car seat insert. A CPST can provide helpful advice to ensure that you’re using your baby’s car seat correctly and that they are as safe as is possible. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your loved children peace of mind as you travel with your baby in the back seat.