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. Inserts can be removed when the child reaches the weight limit specified in the instruction manual for the car seat.
Always make sure you use the inserts that come with your car seat--anything else is risky and could cause your baby to be squeezed or have harness straps that aren't the proper level.
Boost your baby's sitting posture
A car seat insert for newborns allows your tiny baby to sit higher up in the car seat. This insert aids in securing the harness straps, and prevents slouching, which can put your baby at risk of injury if there's a crash. The padding raises your child's head and reduces the distance between the bottom of the seat and the lowest harness strap slot. It ensures they are safe in a rear-facing vehicle and their head is not too close to the crotch (which can restrict the airflow).
If you have a convertible car seat, you can remove the newborn insert once your child has reached an appropriate weight or height limit. This usually occurs between five to six months of age. Be sure to check the manual for instructions on this, and also make sure your child's harness straps remain level with or below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after removing the infant insert.
Certain headrests for car seats or even those that come with the infant seats - could actually make your child's head move forward, which can restrict their airway and potentially put their safety at risk. So, ensure that you always read the manual for your car seat and the site of the manufacturer for instructions on when and how to use these types of head supports.
You should only use the insert included with the car seat of your child; never create makeshift solutions, such as putting a rolled up blanket or burp cloth behind their head. Every car seat is tested to ensure that all components work together. Using any other insert may hinder this testing and compromise your child's security.
The most secure way to ensure that your baby is secure in their car seat is applying the "pinch test" and you should not be able to pinch any slack between your finger and the harness on their shoulder. If you're not sure you are not sure, call a Child Passenger Security Technician or the customer service number of the manufacturer of your car seat.
Helps support your baby's head and neck
The newborn insert is designed to support your baby's neck as well as head. This is because infants aren't yet able to develop the muscles that will allow them to raise their heads on their own. Car seat inserts for newborns raise the neck of your baby so that it can fit into the lowest set shoulder strap slots and prevent their head from sliding forward (which could block airways).
Some infant seats come with inserts for babies and other companies also offer head support products that are specifically designed to be used in car seats. Before you add any padding to your child's car seats, check the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure that you are using the infant insert or head support in a safe manner.
Infant inserts and head support that come with most car seats are designed to provide extra padding for infants and small babies. They could be two distinct items that offer more flexibility in adjustment, or one unit that is more compact to support.
If you choose to use a head support for your infant or insert, keep in mind that your child is likely to outgrow it before they reach the weight and size that is appropriate for their car seat. Never use blankets or cloth burps to create a car seat insert for babies. They could interfere with the proper positioning of the baby's neck and head and could cause injury in a crash.
Many parents believe that the pillow-like head inserts included in some infant seats or sold separately will help their newborn to stay safe in a crash, by aiding in preventing a chin-to-chest position. However, this is not the case. In actual, research has shown that using an infant insert or head support could actually cause your baby's head to slide forward in a dangerous position. Additionally using a soft item such as a rolled receiving blanket or a burp cloth in place of the infant car seat insert could end the warranty of your infant's seat.
Keeps your baby's head in a natural position
If you've ever held a baby you're aware that they require extra head support to keep their tiny heads elevated. This is why infant car seats are equipped with a padded newborn insert that allows your baby to sit in a safe position. Newborn inserts are similar to mini pillows that fit into the seat and provide a comfortable cushion for your child. This is essential, especially when traveling for long distances. They will help your baby sleep and remain awake throughout the journey.
The newborn insert also ensures that the neck of your baby is positioned in the most natural, healthy way that is possible. This is particularly important in rear-facing cars, where the head of the infant can become obstructed if it slumps forward. The insert raises the child's head and allows them to reach the lowest set shoulder strap slots. It also pushes the head back to reduce the chance of being choked. It's important to note that you should always consult the manual for your car seat to find specific instructions on how to remove the infant insert in order to specify an age limit or weight limit.
As your child grows, the insert used for the car seat for newborns will naturally become too small. As car seat newborn grows, they'll naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert.
It is essential to examine the harness when you remove the infant insert from the car of your baby. You can check this by performing the pinch test, in which you place your finger in the space between the shoulder strap and the chest of your baby. If the gap is big or there's a lot of slack, you need to put the newborn insert back into.
Although there are different car seat accessories available on the market to apply to your newborn however, it's best to stick with the newborn insert provided by the manufacturer of your car seat. They are specifically designed to fit in your baby's car seat and ensure their safety during travel.
Helps keep your baby comfy
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 raises 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). Your baby may not be able to sit tall enough so that their harness can be adjusted appropriately without an insert.
A newborn headband can be a good idea because it makes it more likely for 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 of their child's face can protect the brain of their child in the event of a crash. These additional padding pieces however, can actually make the chin-to-chest position worse when they compress during the event of a crash.
They are easy to use and an excellent way to keep your baby at ease while driving. They're usually a piece of foam or cloth that is inserted under the car seat in order to lift up the bottom of the seat. Some come with a cushion and a head-hugger to go under the child, while others are just the head-hugger.
Car seat newborn inserts can be removed once the infant is old enough without them, and many manufacturers have a weight or height recommendation for this. It is recommended to follow the directions in your car seat's manual for this information.
It's best to consult an expert if uncertain about whether or not your baby is ready to quit using the infant car seat insert. A CPST can offer valuable advice to ensure you're using your baby's car seat correctly, so they'll be as secure as they can be. Include a consultation on your registry is a simple way to give your loved children security when driving with your baby in the back seat!