Installing an infant car seat for the first time can take a lot of time and patience. And sometimes, you might find it quite tricky trying to attach the lower anchors or even buckle them in. Moreover, the car seat might slide around a bit once you think everything is in place. Is a moving car seat safe for your little one? Let’s find out the correct way of installing the car seat for a safe and comfortable ride.
Does a Baby Car Seat Move From Side to Side?
It may surprise some parents that a moving car seat is normal. But keep in mind that your baby’s car seat should not move more than an inch on either side.
In the event of a car accident, having some movement in the car seat can reduce the potential impact caused by the collision. Because, during a crash, the car seat will move with force along with the collision. This will lessen the force on your child and greatly reduce injuries.
However, you should not install the car seat too loosely. As that can cause your baby to collide with other parts of the vehicle and increase the risk of injury.
Am I Installing My baby’s Car Seat Correctly?
It’s actually not easy to install a car seat that will be considered too tight. Unless you are using special tools designed to secure the baby car seat firmly. This is because the seat belt is able to stretch a bit when the car comes to a sudden stop. This will protect your baby from feeling the full force of the collisions while they are in the car seat. Furthermore, even if you were able to secure your baby’s car seat very tightly, this can be considered unsafe for them because they will receive more of the force from any collision during that time.
How To Keep Car Seat From Moving
There should be no reason for a baby car seat to be sliding around. Especially if you installed it using LATCH, ISOFIX, or the seatbelt. Check the car seat manual once again to check if you followed every instruction correctly. Most of the time a car seat base can keep it from moving. If your car seat is still moving from side to side, which is a common occurrence with leather baby car seats. Try putting a seat cover/protector or a towel underneath the seat. Check your car seat manual if you can do this.
Installing Car Seat Correctly
According to statistics, 85% of baby car seats that are installed incorrectly. This should not be a problem since most car seats include a feature that will indicate that they are not installed correctly. However, the main problem that parents encounter is that most baby car seats are not fitted or are properly sized for their vehicle. Another reason is the straps which can be too loose or too tight on your baby.
Using a car seat base is a big help since they have features that can indicate if you have installed the seat incorrectly. Remember to check thoroughly. And make sure that your car seat doesn’t move side to side. Check the harness as well and make sure it’s not loose.
Checking Your Car Seat’s Harness
The general rule is that, in order to provide the most comfortable fit, there should be just enough space for two fingers to fit comfortably between the straps and your baby’s body. Another technique for ensuring you have the correct harness tightness for your child is to do the pinch test. Place your fingers on the harness near their collarbone and then try to pinch it. A good pinch should be able to occur if the strap is in between your fingers. If you can’t get a good grip, it’s too loose. If you cannot squeeze the strap between your fingers, then it should be tightened in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Keeping Your Baby’s Head Up
A head slump, also known as “chin-to-chest” or “head falling forward,” is a common symptom of drowsiness and sleep. When babies do this, they usually cannot move their neck or head very well, and so they often stay in this position. When adults do this, they will often wake up or try to bring their heads back, but for babies, it is a much more comfortable position. One of the most concerning aspects is that newborns don’t yet have the muscles in their necks developed and are unable to bring their heads back. For babies who have weakness in these muscles, it can lead to difficulties with respiratory function and could pose a significant medical risk.
Ensure that the car seat is reclined around 45 degrees, this is to make sure that your newborn will now slump their head. Most baby car seats have a feature that has an indicator if your car seat is at the right angle for newborns. Remember to always check if their head and neck are properly supported and secured with the harness. This is to avoid any accidents and trouble.
Car Seat’s Correct Angle
It’s a general rule to have your car seat angled at 45 degrees for newborns. You can adjust this to 30 degrees as your baby gets older. Most car seat manuals have instructions on what degree you should angle your seat for your baby in various stages and throughout their age while using the car seat.
Putting a Blanket In Your Car Seat
If your car has leather seats, the thought of how your child’s car seat damages the material can come across your mind. In some cases, towels or seat protectors can be placed underneath. But make sure to check on the manual first if you can do this. If you are able, it is highly recommended that you lay the towel out flat rather than folding it up. This will make the car seat more stable because the folded towel can cause it to wobble too much and be less of a solid, dependable platform for your child.
Proper Harness For Your Baby’s Safety
- The correct harness can secure your child to the car seat and this limit the impact if ever an accident happens.
- The correct harness can be tightened correctly thus resulting in less risk of your child being ejected from their seat.
- A correct harness that is also correctly positioned can reduce the child’s movement during an accident. These can limit the risk that your child will crash into something inside or outside the vehicle.
