Car Seat Inserts For Newborns

Car seat inserts for newborns are included with most infant and convertible car seats to help babies fit better and be more comfortable in the car. They can be removed after the child has reached a certain weight limit in the manual of the car seat.

Only use the inserts that come with your car seat. Anything else could be unsafe, causing your baby to get squished and the harness straps to not be at the right height.

Boost your baby's sitting posture

A car seat insert lets your baby to sit higher in the seat. This insert helps you secure the harness straps, and prevents the slouching that can expose your baby to the risk of injury if there is a crash. 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 car seat that faces rearwards and that their head isn't too close to the straps that connect their crotches (which could restrict airflow).

If you're using convertible car seats, the newborn insert can be removed when your child reaches a certain weight or height limit; this is typically around 5-6 months old. Check the manual to see whether there are any specific instructions. Also, ensure that the harness straps of your child are at or just below their shoulders. They may have to be adjusted after removing the insert.

Some head inserts, including those included in infant seats, can actually push the child's head backwards. This could limit their airway and put their safety at risk. Review the directions in the car seat manual or on the manufacturer's site to see the best time and method for using these head supports should be used.

It is best car seats infant to use the insert included with your child's car seat; do not create improvised solutions, like placing the blanket in a roll or a burp cloth over their head. Each car seat is tested to make sure that all components work. Any other insert could hinder this testing and compromise your child's safety.

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

Supports for your baby's neck and head

A newborn insert is made 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. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby's head to ensure they can get to the lowest set of shoulder strap slots and they also help to keep their head from sliding forward (which could restrict their airways).

Some infant seats include newborn inserts. Other companies sell head supports specifically designed for use in car seats. However, before you add any type of padding to your baby's car seat consult the manufacturer's instructions for specific information about how to safely use the insert for newborns or head support in your particular infant seat.

The portable infant car seat inserts and head support that come with many car seats are designed to provide extra padding needed for newborns and babies of smaller sizes. This could be a pair of separate items to provide more flexibility, or a single piece with a more compact support.

If you decide to use a head support for your cheap infant car seats 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 inserts for newborns as they can interfere with the proper positioning of the infant's head and neck, putting them at risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Many parents believe, wrongly, that the pillow-like inserts included in some infant seats as well as those sold separately will keep their child safe in an accident by preventing a chin to chest position. However, this is not the case; in fact research has proven that adding an infant insert or head support can actually cause your baby's head to slump forward into a compromising position. In addition using a soft item such as a rolled receiving blanket or a burp cloth in place of the infant car seat insert could potentially end the warranty of your infant's seat.

Keeps your baby's head in its natural position

If you have ever held your baby, you be aware that they require extra support to keep their heads elevated. Car seats for infants are fitted with a padded insert for newborns to keep your child in a safe upright position. The inserts for newborns are miniature pillows that fit inside the seat to provide a cushion for your baby. This is important, especially when you travel for long distances. It will help your baby sleep and remain awake throughout the journey.

The insert for newborns will ensure that your baby's neck is placed in the most natural, healthy way that is possible. This is particularly important in rear-facing car seats where allowing the infant's head to slide forward could block their airways. The insert lifts the child which allows them to reach the lowest set of shoulder strap slots, and then pushes their head backwards and reduces the chance of choking or restricting their breathing. It's important to note that you should always check the manual for your car seat to find specific instructions on when to remove the insert for your newborn, as it will likely stipulate an age limit or weight limit.

As your baby gets older, they'll naturally outgrow the infant car seat insert. They'll increase in height and build up the muscle strength to hold their heads up without the help of an insert. This is when you should consider taking the padding off their seat.

When you take the insert for newborns from the car seat of your baby it is vital to make sure that the harness is still snug enough to ensure safety. You can check this by performing the pinch test, in which you put your finger in the space between the strap on your shoulder and your baby's chest. If the gap is wide or there's plenty of slack, you should put the newborn insert back in.

Although there are different car seat accessories available on the market that you could use for your baby however, it's best to stick with the newborn insert provided by the manufacturer of your car seat. This is because they're made specifically for your baby's specific car seat and will be most effective in keeping them secure during travel.

Keep your baby comfortable

The newborn insert is a car seat accessory designed to keep babies comfy and safe in their infant seats. It's an extra layer of padding that raises your child so that the harness straps are at their shoulders or are below (if they are in a rear-facing car seat). Your baby may not be able to sit up high enough so that their harness can be adjusted appropriately without the insert.

A newborn headband can be a good idea as it will make it more likely that your baby's chin to stay off their chest. Many new parents think that the head pillow that comes with some carseats or the rolled reception blanket or burp cloth that friends suggest they put alongside their child's head, will shield their baby's head during the event of a crash. However, these extra padding pieces can actually make the chin-to-chest positioning worse, as they compress in the event of a crash.

Newborn car seat accessories are an excellent way to keep your baby comfy while driving, and they're easy to use as well. These are usually pieces of fabric or foam that are inserted under the car seat to raise the seat's bottom. Some include a head hugger and a cushion which both are placed under the child's head to raise them up, while others are just a head hugger on its own.

Car seat newborn inserts can be removed once the infant is old enough without them, and most manufacturers have an appropriate weight or height requirement for this. This information is found in the car seat manual.

It is recommended to speak with a professional if you are unsure whether or not your baby is at the point of removing the infant car seat insert. A CPST can provide valuable guidance to ensure you're using the car seat properly for your baby and that they are as secure as they can be. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your precious children peace of mind when you drive with your baby in the back seat.