Car Seat Newborn Insert

Car seat newborn inserts are designed to cradle your infant’s tiny frame, providing comfort and safety for every ride. They help shorten the distance between the bottom of the seat and the shoulder strap slots, ensuring that the straps are at or below your baby’s shoulders in rear-facing mode. This helps to reduce the amount of force exerted on your baby’s head in the event of a crash, which is crucial for their safety.

The best newborn inserts are made from high-quality materials that will ensure your child is comfortably positioned and secure in their car seat. These materials are padded to cushion your child’s head and body and can absorb energy from impact, protecting them in the event of a crash. Infants are especially vulnerable in car crashes because their heads account for up to 25 percent of their body weight and aren’t strong enough to support themselves in the event of a collision.

To use a newborn insert, start by thoroughly reading your car seat’s manual. The manufacturer will provide essential guidance on how to properly use your car seat, including how to install the newborn padding and when it’s safe to remove it. The instructions will also specify what size of infant the car seat is designed to accommodate.

After reading the manual, place your infant in the car seat and thread the buckle through the center slot. Then, position the harness straps over and around the insert’s side panels to secure them in place. Make sure the top of the insert isn’t interfering with the shoulder strap slots, as this could compromise your baby’s safety. Then, carefully tighten the harness, using the manual’s guidelines to determine how tightly to secure the straps. Finally, perform a “pinch test” to verify that the harness is securely fastened.

Once your baby outgrows the infant insert, it’s important to keep their rear-facing until the seat’s maximum weight or height limit. You can then switch to front-facing or high-back booster mode, depending on your child’s age and growth. If you’re unsure of when to remove the newborn insert, consult your car seat’s manual or schedule an appointment with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) to receive expert guidance. You can find a local CPST in your area by visiting the National Child Passenger Safety Administration’s website. CPSTs can teach you how to safely use your baby’s car seat and help you decide whether or when it’s time for your child to move up to a different stage of the car seat.