Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts for newborns are provided with the majority of convertible and infant 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 reaches the weight limit specified in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Only use the inserts provided with your car seat. Anything else can be unsafe, causing your child to be squeezed and the harness straps to not be at the right height.
Increase your baby's sit-up posture
A car seat insert designed for newborns allows your tiny baby to sit higher up in the seat. This will help you secure the harness straps securely and correctly, and it also prevents the slouching that could put your baby at risk of injury in the event of a crash. The padding raises your child up and shortens the distance between their bottom and the lowest set of straps for harness making sure they're secured in the car seat that faces rearwards and that their head doesn't get too close to the straps that connect their crotches (which can hinder airflow).
If you're using convertible car seats, the newborn insert is removed when your child hits a specific weight or height limit; this typically occurs between 5 and 6 months old. Be sure to check the manual for guidance on this, and make sure your child's harness straps remain level with or below their shoulders. They might require adjustment after removing the infant insert.
Certain headrests for car seats - and even some that are included in the infant seats - could actually push your child's head forward, which can restrict their airway and put their safety at risk. Read the instructions in the car seat manual or on the website of the manufacturer to find out when and how these head supports are to be used.
Make sure to use only the insert included with your child's seat. Never use a makeshift solution, such as a burp cloth or rolled-up blankets on top of their heads. Every car seat and its components are thoroughly tested to ensure that they function as a unit and any other insert could interfere with this process and threaten your child's safety.
The most secure way to ensure that your child is secure in their seat is using the "pinch test" You must not squeeze any slack between your finger and the harness at their shoulder. If you are unsure seek out a certified child Passenger Safety Technician or call the customer service number for assistance.
Helps support your baby's neck and head
A newborn insert is designed to support your baby's neck and head. This is due to the fact that infants aren't yet able to develop the muscles that allow them to lift their heads on their own. Push Chairs And Prams raise the neck of your baby so that it can reach the lowest set shoulder strap slots and also keep their head from slouching forward (which could hinder airways).
Some infant seats include newborn inserts. Other companies also sell head supports that are specifically designed to be used in car seat. Before adding any padding to your child's car seat, check the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure that you are using the infant insert or head support safely.
Infant inserts and head support that come with most car seats are designed to provide extra padding for newborns and tiny babies. It could be a set of separate items to provide more flexibility or a single unit with a more efficient support.
If you choose to use a head support for your infant or insert, bear in mind that your child will outgrow it before reaching the weight and size that is appropriate for their car seat. Don't use blankets or burps to create a car seat insert for newborns. They can impede the proper positioning of the baby's neck and head which could result in injuries in an accident.
Many parents are misled into thinking that the pillow-like head inserts included in some infant seats or sold separately will aid their infant stay safe in a crash by helping to prevent a chin-to-chest position. This is not the case. In actual research has revealed that adding an infant insert or head support can actually cause your baby's head to slump forward, putting them in a vulnerable position. In addition using a soft item like a rolled reception blanket or a burp cloth instead of the infant car seat insert could potentially cause the infant seat to lose its warranty.
Keeps the head of your baby in its natural position
If you've ever held a baby you're aware that they require additional head support in order to keep their little heads up. Car seats for infants are fitted with a cushioned insert for newborns that helps keep your baby in a secure, upright position. The inserts for newborns are miniature pillows that fit inside the seat to provide a cushion for your baby. This is crucial, particularly when traveling for long distances. They will aid your child to sleep and stay awake throughout the journey.
The newborn insert also ensures that your baby's neck is positioned in the most natural, healthy manner that is possible. This is especially important for rear-facing car seats, where the baby's head being allowed to slump forward can hinder their breathing. The insert lifts the child up and allows them to reach the bottom set of shoulder strap slots and also pushes their head back to reduce the risk of choking or blocking their breathing. Always check the instruction manual for your car seat for directions on how to remove the newborn insert. It's likely to include an age or weight limit.
As your baby grows older they'll naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert. They'll grow taller and build up the strength and muscle to hold their heads without the assistance of an insert, which is the time to think about eliminating the padding from the seat.
When you take the newborn insert out of your baby's car seat it is vital that you check that the harness is still secure enough to be safe. You can check this by using a pinch test by placing your finger between the shoulder straps and your baby's chest. If there is a large gap or a lot of slack in the strap, you should replace the insert for your newborn.
There are many different car seat inserts that are available on the market for your baby. However, it is recommended to choose the one supplied by the manufacturer of your car seat. They are designed to fit in your baby's car seat, and will ensure that they are safe while traveling.
Keeps your baby snug
The insert for newborns is an infant car seat accessory that ensures babies are at ease and secure. It's an additional layer of padding that boosts your baby up a little so that the harness straps are on or below their shoulders (if they're in the rear-facing car seat). Your child may not be able to sit up high enough so that their harness can be adjusted appropriately without the insert.
A newborn insert is also an excellent idea as it makes it more likely that your baby's head is in the crotch strap position (to keep their chin away from their chests). Many new parents think that the pillow-like head piece that comes with some carseats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth friends suggest they put alongside their child's head will protect their baby's head during the event of a crash. However, these additional padding pieces could actually make the chin-to chest positioning more difficult, as they expand in the event of a crash.
Newborn car seat accessories are a great way to help keep your baby comfortable while driving, and they're easy to use too. They are typically pieces of foam or fabric that are placed under the car seat to raise the seat's bottom. Some come with a head hugger and a cushion which both sit under the child to raise them up, while others are just a head hugger on its own.
Inserts for newborn car seats can be removed once the baby is old enough without them, and most manufacturers have an appropriate weight or height requirement for this. This information is available in the car seat manual.
It's best to consult a professional if you are uncertain whether your baby is ready to stop using the infant car seat insert. A CPST can offer valuable advice to ensure that you're using the car seat properly for your baby and that they are as safe as is possible. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your beloved children peace of mind when you travel with your child in your back seat.