Car seats are necessary for transporting babies in safety, but they can be clunky and heavy. A car seat holder might help, especially for parents who are juggling a baby and all the other responsibilities of day-to-day life. Car seat holders can take the weight off your shoulders, back and neck. They can also make it easier to carry a car seat through doorways and other tight spaces.
The first time you take your infant out in their car seat, you may be intimidated by its size and heft. But once you figure out the best way to carry it, it can be your friend for years. It can help you navigate the day-to-day milestones that will lead up to your child’s first big trip, whether that’s your drive home from the hospital, going on a coffee date with friends or heading out for your first Christmas family photo.
A flat H-shaped metal item that clips the lap and shoulder seat belt webbing together at a free-sliding latchplate to create a fixed length of webbing, locking it so that it won’t slip loose. The locking clip is only used with older cars and is rarely needed today since most car seats have built-in belt-locking features or lock-off straps.
There are a number of ways to hold a car seat when not in use, but a simple hack might save you a lot of back and neck pain in the long run. Instead of propping it up against your arm, or balancing it on your hip, try wrapping your hands around the base of the seat, holding it on both sides like you’re giving it a hug. This distributes the weight more evenly and is much less clunky than balancing it on your hip or putting it in front of you.
You can also use a car seat holder to snap your infant carrier into a stroller, which lets you keep your little one asleep during the transition between vehicles. This is a great option for anyone who travels by plane, trains and automobiles. Many car seats come with a matching stroller base, or you can buy them separately and use an adapter to connect them.
A person who has successfully completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standard child passenger safety certification program and helps families install and secure their car seats for safe traveling. Certified car seat technicians often volunteer their services in their community. For more information about becoming a certified car seat technician, click here. You can also visit the NHTSA’s certified car seat technician search to find a local expert who can help. A certified technician can teach you how to properly install your car seat and ensure it’s secured in your vehicle using the vehicle’s lower anchors and tethers or seat belt. They can also help you decide which type of installation is better for your needs and car, as well as recommend a suitable child seat for your child.