How to Install and Remove a newborn car seat Insert

The majority of infant car seat for travel car seats come equipped with a newborn insert that is designed to keep small babies safe and secure in the car seat. It is crucial to remove the insert in a timely manner when your child is out of it.

The child seat's manual will give you clear guidelines on how to remove the padding for head support. It is typically between five to six months.

What is an Newborn insert?

A newborn insert is an additional cushion that keeps your baby snug and secure in their car seat. It's usually located at the lower part of the car seat and offers extra support for babies weighing less than 5 pounds. The newborn insert can help your baby sit in a more natural position and encourage them to sleep more comfortably -- which is likely to be exactly what you would like them to do while driving!

The majority of portable infant car seat car seats and convertible car seats are equipped with an insert for newborns. The insert is designed to allow your baby to be elevated in the v-shaped area of the car seat. This allows them to be able to fit comfortably, but without compromising safety. The insert can also shorten the distance between the seat's bottom and the shoulder straps which ensures that the harness is placed at or below your baby's shoulders in the rear-facing car seat.

Newborn inserts are also available for strollers, which can make the time spent with your baby even more comfortable and enjoyable. If you are planning to use your infant car seat in a stroller, be sure you read the instructions on how to take off the newborn insert. You can tell when your baby is growing out of their insert when they squish into the seat, or are unable to get out and in. If you're not sure you should get in touch with the manufacturer of your car seat. You can also book an appointment with a Child Passenger Safety Technologist (CPST).

Some parents prefer using blankets rolled up as an infant insert substitute but be mindful not to make anything heavy or tight around your baby's head. Roll the blankets along the body of your child not just around the head. Double them around the area of the head to avoid them pushing down on their chins.

Once your baby has stopped using the insert it's recommended to take it out of your car seat. The goal is to help your baby build up their strength and muscle enough to stand upright in their seat. If the manufacturer of the car seat has not specified an age or weight limit, you should be able without a problem to remove the insert once your child is ready.

How to Install an insert for a Newborn insert

Inserts for newborns are a great way to get an accurate car seat for your baby. They can provide additional padding to ensure your baby is snug and secure in their seat. Many parents are confused about how to use an insert, or when it's safe enough to remove it. This guide will help you understand how to safely install and remove the infant insert, so that your child can travel safely.

Before you do anything else, make sure to read the instructions for your car seat carefully. The manufacturer has crash-tested the car seat and insert, so their instructions should be your go-to for all questions regarding your child's safety. It is also important to have the appropriate tools to set up your infant's insert. To remove the upholstery, you'll need a flathead screwscrewdriver and an appropriate wrench or socket to loosen the screw at the base. The foam insert can then be placed into the seat's bottom once the upholstery has been removed. Once the infant insert is in place it is crucial to adjust the harness straps so they are placed on the baby's shoulders. The crotch strap must be placed in the middle of the insert for the infant.

It is important to keep in mind that newborns often have floppy legs and may wander around in their seats. It is essential to check regularly for proper positioning and to ensure that the chest clip is located at armpit height (it is not a "tummy" clip).

Certain car seats have an indicator that shows green or blue if the straps are correctly aligned and red or yellow in the event of a misalignment. This is a handy feature to have, particularly when you're using your car seat at home and don't have the support of an experienced nurse or CPST aiding you.

If your baby is outgrowing the infant insert, you can remove it from the car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child sit in their car seat until they reach a particular weight or height. This is usually before the child is out of their car seat.

When to take off a Newborn Insert

A car seat that is designed for newborns should be easy to use and include the insert for a baby. The insert is like an infant pillow that fits under the baby, and provides additional padding around their heads. Newborns typically have issues with muscle development that make them require additional head support when they sit upright. The baby insert keeps them secure by making it easier for them to keep their head up straight.

The insert for newborns can assist you in securing the harness straps of your car seat correctly. The padded insert lifts the baby so that you can securely fasten the straps on the shoulders of the harness. This is essential for infants. It is important to remember to only use the insert for newborns that was included in your baby's car seat. Making up a substitute or using an insert that doesn't belong to your car seat may interfere with the way that your baby is secured in the car seat and compromise their safety.

It is recommended to use only the insert that came with your baby's car seats because it will be tested and tested for crash as a component of the seat. Making your own insert for your baby or using an insert made by a different brand could affect the way that your baby's car seat is tested, and could not meet the rigorous safety standards that the seat has been through.

Typically the manual for your car seat newborn insert seat will provide information on the best infant car seat time to remove the infant insert. This information is typically dependent on the baby's weight or length reaching a certain weight or length and can differ little from one car seat to the next.

Keep the newborn insert in position until the manufacturer's recommended timeframe. This will ensure your baby is secure and comfortable as they grow in the car seat.

Tips for Safety

Car seat safety is a top priority for all new parents and especially for those who will be using an infant car seat or convertible car seat. These seats come with many features to help to keep your child safe like adjustable harness straps, reclining options, different headrest heights and the removable padding known as the newborn insert. It is essential to understand when and how to use these inserts, as well as when to remove them.

Almost all group 0+ infant car seats have an insert for newborns and some include an optional cushioned head support to provide additional security and comfort. The main reason these inserts are so popular is because they stop newborns from falling into the dangerous chin-to-chest posture in the car seat which can block their airways and lead to serious medical issues like positional asphyxia.

Research has shown that a baby with their head lowered in this position could be at a higher risk of suffering from oxygen deprivation than a newborn who is sitting upright unsupported. This can be seen in the car, in a bouncy seat or even a swing.

Using the newborn insert in your child's car seat helps keep this from happening however it's a good idea to dress them in thinner layers rather than heavy winter coats while they're sleeping or riding in their car seat. The weight of a blanket or coat can cause it to be compressed in a crash, leaving the straps on the harness loose, could put your infant at risk of injury.

Doing a "pinch-test" before driving is another way to ensure that your child is as secure as it can be in the car seat. This is when you pinch the slack of the harness strap on the shoulder to ensure it's snug enough. It's recommended to regularly check that the buckle is in the proper place so it won't get pulled through the belt path. If you're unsure consult a pediatrician or your child passenger safety technician (CPST) to seek professional guidance.