Car Seat Inserts For Newborns

Car seat inserts for infants are included with most infant and convertible car seats to allow babies to fit better and be more comfortable in the car. They can be removed after the child is at a certain weight limit in the car seat manual.

Always use the inserts included 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 height.

Boosts your baby's sitting position

A car seat insert lets your newborn to sit up higher in the seat. This helps you fasten the harness straps properly and securely, and it also prevents sliding that could expose your child to the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The padding raises your child's height and reduces the distance between their bottom and the lowest set of straps for harness to ensure they're safe in the rear-facing car seat and that their head doesn't get too close to the crotch strap (which can restrict airflow).

If you have a convertible car seat, you can remove the infant insert once your child has reached the weight or height limit. This usually occurs between five to six months old. Make sure you read the manual for instructions on this, and also make sure the harness straps for your child are not sagging below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after removing the infant insert.

Certain head support devices, like those used in infant seats, may make the child's head tilt backwards. This could impede their airway and put their safety in danger. Review the directions in the manual for your car seat or on the manufacturer's site to see when and how these head supports are to be used.

Only use the insert included with your child's car seat. Do not use a substitute solution, such as an old burp cloth or rolled up blanket on top of their head. Each car seat and its components are rigorously tested to work together as a whole and any other insert could disrupt this process and jeopardize your child's safety.

The "pinch test" is the best way to make sure that your child is securely seated in the seat. You should not be able pinch any slack on the shoulder between your finger and harness. If you aren't sure, contact a Child Passenger Security Technician or the customer service number of your car seat manufacturer.

Supports for your baby's neck and head

A newborn insert is a tiny cushion that is designed to your baby's head and neck. This is because infants aren't yet able to develop the muscles that allow them to raise their heads on their own. Car seat inserts for newborns raise your baby's head up so that they can reach the lowest set of shoulder strap slots and they also assist in keep their head from slumping forward (which could restrict their airways).

Some infant seats come with newborn inserts and other companies also sell head supports that are specifically designed to be used in car seats. Before you add any padding to your child's car seat, check the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure you are using the infant insert or head support properly.

Infant inserts and head supports that are included in the majority of car seat newborn insert seats are designed to provide additional padding for newborns and tiny babies. These can be two separate products that allow for greater flexibility in adjustment, or one unit that is more compact to support.

If you decide to use an infant head support or insert, bear in mind that your child is likely to outgrow it before reaching the weight and size that is appropriate for their car seat. Don't use burp cloths as makeshift car seat newborn seat inserts to infants because they could hinder the proper positioning of the infant's neck and head which could put them at risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Many parents mistakenly believe that the pillow-like head supports included in some infant seats or sold separately will help their infant stay safe in a crash, by helping to prevent a chin-to chest position. This isn't the case. In fact, research indicates that the addition of an insert or head support to your infant's car seat newborn seat could cause the head to sag forward, putting it into an unsafe position. A soft object, like an unrolled receiving blanket or burp cloth, may also invalidate the warranty of your infant car seat.

Keeps the head of your baby in its natural position

If you've ever held a newborn you're aware that they require extra head support to keep their heads elevated. This is why infant car seats come equipped with a padded newborn insert that can help your baby sit in a safe position. The inserts for newborns are miniature pillows that fit in the seat to provide a cushion for your baby. This is important, especially when you travel for long distances. It can help your baby fall asleep and remain awake during the journey.

The insert for babies will ensure that your baby's head is placed in a natural, healthy way. This is especially important in rear-facing cars, where the baby's head could become blocked if it is sunk forward. The insert raises the child to allow them to reach the lowest shoulder strap slots. It also pulls the head back, reducing the risk of getting choked. You should always check the manual of your car seat for instructions on how to remove the newborn insert. It will likely specify the weight limit or age limit.

As your child grows, the insert for car seats for newborns will eventually become too small. As your baby grows, they will naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert.

It is important to check the harness when you remove the infant insert from the car of your baby. You can do this by performing the pinch test, in which you insert your finger into the gap between the strap on your shoulder and the chest of your baby. If there is a large gap or a lot of stretch in the strap, you should replace the newborn insert.

While there are a few different car seat accessories on the market to use for your baby however, it's recommended 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 at keeping them safe while traveling.

Keep your baby comfortable

The newborn insert is a car seat accessory designed to keep babies comfy and secure in their infant seats. It's an extra layer of padding that elevates your baby so that the harness straps reach their shoulders or below (if they're in a rear facing car seat). Without an insert, your child may not be sitting high enough to allow their harness be properly adjusted.

A newborn headband can be a good idea, because it makes it more likely that your baby's chin to remain away from their chest. Many parents believe that the pillow-like insert included with certain carseats or the rolled-up receiving blanket or burpcloth to place on top rated infant car seats of their child's face can protect the baby's brain in the event of the event of a crash. However, these additional padding pieces could actually make the chin-to-chest positioning worse, since they compress in the event of a crash.

Newborn car seat accessories are an excellent way to keep your baby comfy during the drive, and they're easy to use too. They're typically made of foam or cloth that is inserted underneath the car seat to raise up the bottom part of the seat. Some have a cushion and a head-hugger that go under the child, whereas others are just the head-hugger.

Inserts for infant car seats can be removed once the infant is old enough without them. Most manufacturers have an appropriate weight or height requirement for this. Always follow the directions in the manual for your car seat for this information.

It's best to consult an expert if uncertain about whether or not your baby is at the point of removing the newborn car seat insert. A CPST can give you valuable advice to ensure your baby is safe in their car seat. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your loved ones peace of mind while you drive with your baby in the back seat.