(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/7007/1482/nania-beline-car-seat-group-1-2-3-9-36kg-with-side-impact-protection-and-pillows-made-in-france-minnie-1482.jpg)Car Seat Inserts For Newborns
Car seat inserts for newborns are included in the majority of convertible and infant car seats to allow babies to get a better fit and feel more comfortable in the car. They can be removed after the child has reached a certain weight limit in the manual for the car seat.
Use only the inserts included with your car seat. Anything else can be unsafe, causing your baby to be squeezed and the harness straps not to be at the proper height.
Increase your baby's sit-up posture
A car seat insert for infants lets your baby to sit higher up in the car seat. This helps you fasten the harness straps properly and securely and also stops slouching that can put your baby at risk of injury in the event of collision. This padding lifts 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 can hinder airflow).
If you're using a convertible car seat the infant insert can be removed once your child hits a specific weight or height limit. This typically occurs between 5 and 6 months old. Make sure you read the manual for guidance regarding this, and make sure the harness straps for your child are still level with or below their shoulders. They might need to be adjusted after you have removed the infant insert.
Some head inserts, including those included in infant seats, can actually make the child's head tilt forward. This could impede their airway and put their safety in danger. Read the instructions in the manual for your car seat or on the site of the manufacturer to see when and how these head supports should be used.
Make sure to use only the insert that came along with your child's car seat. Do not use a substitute solution, like burp cloths or a rolled-up blanket on top of their head. Every car seat and its components are thoroughly tested to function as a system and using any other insert could hinder the process and compromise your child's safety.
Remember, the most secure method to ensure your baby is comfortable in their car seat is using the “pinch test”: you should not be able to pinch any slack between your finger and the harness at their shoulder. If you aren't sure, contact a Child Passenger Security Technician or the customer service number of the manufacturer of your car seat.
Helps support your baby's neck and head
A newborn insert is made to help your baby's neck and head. This is essential because muscles that allow infants to stand up on their own haven't yet occurred. Newborn car seat inserts lift your baby's head up so they can get to the lowest set of shoulder strap slots and also help prevent their head from sagging forward (which could hinder their airways).
Some infant seats include newborn inserts. Other companies also sell head supports designed for use in car seats. Before you add any padding to your child's car seat review the directions of the manufacturer to ensure that you are using the newborn insert or the head support properly.
Infant inserts and head supports included in most car seats are designed to provide extra padding for newborns and tiny babies. This can be a pair of separate items to provide more flexibility or a single item 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 likely 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 infants because they could hinder the proper placement of the infant's neck and head, putting them at risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Many parents believe, untruly, that the pillow-like inserts in some infant seats and those sold separately will keep their baby safe in an accident by preventing a chin to chest position. It's not the case. In fact, research indicates that adding an insert or head support to the infant's seat can cause the head to sag forward, placing it in an unsafe position. A soft object, such as an unrolled receiving blanket or burp cloth could also void the warranty of your infant car seat.
Keeps your baby's head in its natural position
If you've ever held a newborn, you know they need additional head support in order to keep their heads up. This is why infant car seats come equipped with a padded newborn insert that can help your baby sit in a comfortable position. The newborn inserts are mini pillows that fit inside the seat to provide a comfortable seat for your baby. This is particularly important when traveling for long distances as it will make it easier for your child to fall asleep and stay awake during the trip.
The insert for newborns will ensure that your baby's head is placed in a healthy, natural way. This is especially important in rear-facing car seats, where allowing the infant's head to slump forward can hinder their breathing. The insert raises the child's head, allowing them reach the shoulder strap slots. It also pushes the head back to reduce the chance of getting choked. It is important to note that you should always consult the manual of your car seat for specific instructions on when to remove the infant insert and when to remove it, as it may stipulate an age or weight limit.
As your baby gets older, they'll naturally outgrow the newborn car seat insert. They'll grow taller and build the muscle strength to hold their heads without the assistance of an insert, which is when you can consider taking the padding off their seat.
When you take the newborn insert out of the car seat for your baby, it is crucial to make sure that the harness is still tight enough to be safe. You can test this by doing a pinch test. In this test, you put your finger in the gap between the shoulder strap and your baby's chest. If the gap is large or there's lots of slack you need to put the infant insert back in.
There are numerous car seat inserts on the market for your newborn. However, it is best car seat to select the one provided by the manufacturer of your car seat for newborn seat. They are specifically designed to fit in your baby's car seat and will keep them safe during travel.
Make sure your baby is comfortable
The insert for newborns is an infant car seat accessory that ensures babies are secure and comfortable. It's a layer of padding that lifts your baby's height to ensure that the harness straps are on or below their shoulders (if they're in the rear facing infant car seat-facing car seat). Without an insert, your baby may not sit up high enough for their harness to be properly adjusted.
A newborn insert can also be a good idea, since it will make it more likely for your baby's chin off their chest. Many parents believe that the pillow-like insert included with certain carseats, or the rolled-up receiving blanket or burpcloth suggested by friends to put on their child's face will shield the baby's brain during the event of a crash. However, these additional padding pieces could actually make the chin-to chest positioning more difficult, as they expand during a crash.
Car seat accessories for newborns are a great way to help keep your baby comfortable while driving, and they're easy to use as well. They're typically a piece of foam or cloth that is inserted under the car seat to lift up the bottom of the seat. Some include a head hugger and a cushion which both are placed under the child's head to lift them up while others are merely head huggers on their own.
Car seat inserts for newborns can be removed once the baby is large enough to fit in without them. The majority of manufacturers have a suggested weight or height. This information is available in the manual of the car seat.
It's best car seats for infants to consult an expert if uncertain whether your baby is at the point of removing the newborn car seat insert. A CPST can provide valuable guidance to ensure that you are using the correct car seat for your baby, so they'll be as secure as they can be. A consultation can be added to your registry to give your beloved ones peace of mind while you travel with your child in the back seat.