Car Seat Installation
Tips for Bringing Home Baby
Having a car seat installed safely is one of the biggest concerns of a new parent. Rightly so, since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (or NHTSA) reports that 80% are installed incorrectly.
These incorrectly installed car seats are a huge factor in why automobile accidents are the number one killer of children younger than 14.
Here are some general installation guidelines, but keep in mind that the best way to make sure that your baby’s car seat is installed correctly is to have it checked by a Certified Car Seat Technician.
Location, Location, Location
The safest place for anyone to ride in your car is the center of the back seat, but anywhere in the back seat is safe. Never put the baby in the front seat if you can help it and NEVER put a rear facing infant seat in front of a passenger side airbag!
Protect my Car Seat
Stores sell “seat protectors”, but they are slippery and make a proper car seat installation nearly impossible. If you need to have your seat protected, you can put down one layer of kitchen shelf liner (the kind that has holes in it), and then install the car seat on top.
How’s the Tilt?
When installing a car seat, you need to make sure that the angle is at 45 degrees. Most car seats have an angle indicator–read your car seat manual.
The LATCH system: decide if you will install your child’s car seat with the seatbelt or the LATCH system. Either is fine, but chose one or the other, not both. If your car has it, the LATCH system is often easier to use. LATCH stands for “lower anchors and tethers for children”–and is simply car manufacturers and car seat manufacturer’s attempt to make all car seats fit in all cars. Check your car manual, then look in the backseat. Near the buckles, you should find “U-hooks” inside the seat. All new infant car seats are equipped with the LATCH system, just attach the hooks (facing down) to the LATCH “U-hooks” in your car, and then pull to tighten.
The Seat Belt
In cars without the LATCH system, you can use the seat belt. For most types of seat belts, you pull the seat belt completely out, and it changes to a “locking” mode. Once this is pulled out, follow directions on the car seat for the path of the seat belt. Buckle it, then release the seat belt and pull to tighten. Refer to the car manual, because not all cars have this type of seat belt system.
How does the baby go in there?
Loosen the straps in the car seat and place the baby in the seat. Put the baby’s arms through the straps and buckle between the legs. Tighten the straps, then clip the retainer clip (this is the chest buckle), then tighten further. The retainer clip should fall at the nipple line. The straps should be so tight that you can’t pinch them. You should be able to get one finger under the strap at each shoulder.
Other “Stuff”
Car seats are “crash tested” just like cars. They are tested only with what comes with the seat. Don’t add any extras to your car seat. This includes extra padding or headrests. The same goes for your baby. No puffy snowsuits or blankets behind the baby. Your baby should be dressed in regular clothing when they are put into the car seat. In a crash, any extra padding that is on or behind the baby can compress and make enough room in the straps that the baby could be ejected from the car seat! Any technician will also recommend that you don’t use a mirror or window cover in your car–in a crash both turn into projectiles and could kill you or your baby!
Going Home
You need to have a car seat if you are taking a baby home from the hospital in a car. You should have your car seat checked or installed by a Certified Car Seat Technician. Find a local fitting station and call for an appointment 3-4 weeks before your due date.
Purchasing and learning how to use an infant car seat can be overwhelming, but with a little knowledge and practice, even the newest parent will soon feel confident in taking care of this very important part of parenthood!
TIPS
There is no “best” or “safest” car seat! The “best” one is the one that you use correctly all the time and that fits your car. When you are shopping for a car seat, here are some things to think about:
- Read the box! Make sure that you are getting a car seat that is appropriate for your child’s height, weight, and age. If you already have a seat, it should be labeled on the side with height and weight maximums. If you haven’t purchased one (or registered for one) yet, read the box and make sure that you are getting the correct one.
- Know the law! In most states, it is the law that infants ride rear facing until 20 lbs AND 1 year old. This means that if you have a 9 month old that weighs 24 lbs, they should continue to face backwards until at least age 1. This also means that if you have a 15 month old that only weighs 18 lbs, they should still face rear.
- Know the history! Never use a car seat that you don’t know the history. For Example, one from a tag sale or consignment shop—it may have been recalled or in an accident and may not be safe!
- Try it out! Many stores will let you take the car seat out to your car so you can see if it will fit. Play with the floor model and see if it’s easy to use. It may have a cute pattern, but if it’s hard to use, you may regret your purchase. You can also go online and see reviews of the car seat.
- Think ahead! If your child grows out of the infant carrier seat, the next one to purchase is a “convertible seat”. These seats will face rear, and then convert to forward facing when the maximum rear-facing weight has been reached. Some people try to use this type from the beginning, but most people find these very difficult to use for a new baby.
