Car Seat Girl Tips

Car seats are a vital piece of baby gear that save the lives of hundreds of children every year. Whether you’re planning to add a baby to your family or you’ve got kids already in the car seat, you probably have questions about what to buy and how to use it. Here are some tips from experts in car safety:

Make sure the seat is snug. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see how to tighten the harness straps and chest clip. You should not be able to pinch the webbing at your child’s shoulder and the chest clip should be at armpit level after you’ve tightened the straps.

If you’re unsure whether your seat is installed correctly, ask your certified car seat technician for help. You can also test for a secure fit by wiggling the seat from side to side and front to back. If the seat moves more than an inch in either direction, it’s not secured and needs to be re-tightened.

Make a habit of buckling up each time you get in the car. It’s an easy way to set a good example and to keep yourself and your family safe. It’s important to remember that even short trips can lead to serious injury if you’re unbuckled.

Keep up with car seat recalls. You’ll find the latest recalls at Consumer Reports. Then, if your car seat is recalled, it will be easier to find a replacement for it.

A rolled washcloth between the harness straps and your baby’s shoulders can help create a safer fit. The car seat’s instruction manual should list specifics, but the rolled washcloth will provide support and prevent the harness straps from resting too high on your baby’s neck and shoulders.

If your child is ready to graduate from the rear-facing infant seat, consider an all-in-one convertible seat with a lower anchor attachment and LATCH installation. These seats can be used from birth in rear-facing mode and then switched to forward-facing (using the harness and top tether) until your kid is at or near the vehicle’s height or weight limits. One of our favorites is the Nuna Exec, which has a 50-pound rear-facing weight limit and a retractable legroom panel that allows you to fit three across in many midsize vehicles.