Car Seat Newborn

Infant car seats provide the perfect fit and comfort for infants. They also offer convenience since the majority of them are a "click-in and -snap" model.

Make sure that the chest clip is centered at your baby's armpits. If the seat manufacturer allows, use a tightly rolled receiving blanket to cover any gap between your baby's crotch strap and their bottom to prevent slouching.

Safety Seat Labels

Be sure to go through all the labels before purchasing a car seat for newborns or other baby products. The labels will give you a good 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 compliant or counterfeit.

Beware if, for example you spot a reduced price on the child safety car seat. This lower price could indicate that the car seat was altered and is not compliant with U.S. safety standards, or is designed for an international market. In these instances, a lower price may make the car seat less safe and could result in serious injury to a child in an accident.

Genuine car seats have specific labeling requirements which must be met to pass inspections and be legal sold in the United States. This includes a white label with black and red lettering that indicates that the seat is in compliance with federal standards, and an additional label on the side of the seat that lists the model number serial number, date of manufacture and the instruction for the use of the car seat. A valid car seat will also include a user's manual and a registration card to prove that the seat has been purchased from a licensed dealer.

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

Some seats, particularly convertible seats, have the label which will show you how to recline it correctly. It may be a line that aligns your seat with the floor or a ball in a specific slot. This is vital, as improperly reclining a seat can put your infant at risk of injuries in the event of an accident.

The warning label is usually located on the edges of the cushion. This is because it is visible while the child is in the seat. It is also easily readable and won't be obscured by clothing or other objects that could obscure the message.

Harness Straps

Always ensure that the harness straps of your child's car seat, stroller, or other transporter are securely and correctly placed. This is especially important when it comes to newborns, who could easily escape from the harness and be ejected from the seat in an accident.

The 5-point harness is designed to touch five different points on your child's body (shoulders, hips and between the crotch) to distribute evenly any impact forces. The ideal is for the straps to be comfortable but not too uncomfortable or tight. If you aren't sure about the fit, try the "Pinch Test". Using your thumb and finger, pinch the strap at the shoulder of your child. If the strap is tight enough that it causes discomfort, it needs to be loosen.

It's also common for parents to believe that their baby's harness straps are too tight, but this can actually be more hazardous than a strap that is too loose. A loose strap can move along with your child's torso during a crash and cause spinal compression which can cause injury or death.

If your child is a forward-facing infant, the harness straps should be placed snugly AT or ABOVE the shoulders. A strap that is positioned below the shoulder could cause the child's torso to move forward too much during a crash. This could cause them to be thrown out of the car seat, or even into the windshield. This can cause them to hit the shoulder restraint with their head, causing serious injury or even death.

If the chest clip of your child is higher than their armpits, it's recommended to put a blanket or washcloths next to the baby to provide neck and head support. This will prevent them from squirming down the back seat and getting their neck caught in the chest clip which could cause strangulation in the event of a car crash.

Chest Clip

The chest clip is one of the most misunderstood features of car seats. Many parents believe that the chest clip keeps the child in the seat. Even if it's properly positioned, it could still have some scary myths that are associated with it (lower chest clips puncturing the stomach, for instance).

First of all the chest clip isn't able to physically hold your child during an accident. This is the role of the crotch buckle, that's why it's vital to always buckle the harness at the crotch and not at the chest. If the chest clip is set too low, the harness straps can slide off the shoulders in an accident. This could result in ejection from the car seat. This is the reason it's recommended to place the chest clip at armpit level as well as the position that most car seat instruction manuals recommend placing it.

Chest clips act as a pre-crash positioning device, helping to keep the harness straps aligned and on the child's shoulders. When a collision occurs, it's not uncommon for a chest clip to break or move down due to the force applied to it during the crash however, this shouldn't affect your child's safety in any way, as long as the harness is secured at the crotch buckle.

If your child wears blankets or jackets, be sure to remove it prior to putting on the harness as this can hinder the harness straps from being able to properly rest on their shoulders. When putting your child to the car seat, leave bulky outer clothing at home.

A chest clip that isn't placed correctly could also hinder your child from being able to reach their seat belt buckle and unfasten the buckle. This can be dangerous especially when your child is trying to get out from their seat while driving. It can also lead to the buckle to be unfastened in a stop or crash. The best solution is to install a Buckle Guard on your car seat. This will stop 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 rear facing car seat) or above their shoulders (when in forward facing car seat). It should be as close to their body as is possible and placed between their legs.

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

Using a crochet pattern for the buckle cover can help keep their legs in the right place. The pattern should be straightforward and not have any loose threads around the buckle. The cover should be made from a soft, stretchy material.

It is recommended to speak with a child safety technician (who is an expert in the car seat industry) for more details about your particular model and the best car seats for newborns way to secure it. Even if you follow the instructions that come with your car seat, there is still more to learn.

Car seats for infants are specially designed for babies and smaller infants. They attach to the base of the vehicle, and can be removed with just a single click. They are equipped with several security features, including an integrated recline indicator that makes sure the baby is sitting up straight.

Many parents prefer infant car seats because of their convenience and portability particularly when traveling. It's important to remember that these seats are only safe for use until your child has reached the maximum weight and height limits of the seat.

Once your baby outgrows the infant carrier seat car seat, they should be moved to convertible car seats. These seats have excellent safety features, including side impact protection as well as a five-point harnesses. They are more difficult to move from one vehicle another and require more space than newborn car seat insert seats for infants.

To create a crotch buckle cover for your convertible car seat a large hook and size 5 crochet thread is needed. The cover must be constructed to fit over the buckle of the car seat with an additional couple of inches of space left to drape over the edge of the car seat. Begin by making 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 same process at the other end. Fasten off and weave ends.