The road to Hana is the curviest drive. Lombard Street is the steepest drive. The autobahn is the fastest drive. But the first ride home from the hospital may just be the safest drive you will ever experience in your life. As you scoot along at five miles an hour below the speed limit, driving takes on a whole new significance. There is a new life riding on each acceleration and new emotions at every intersection.
Here is how to ensure your baby is safe within their car seat for every mile on the road.
How to Install the Car Seat
Before securing your baby into a car seat, you must first install the car seat base into your car. To do this you can either use a seatbelt or an anchor strap connected to the anchors built into your car’s seating in the gaps near the seat belt buckles. Each car seat and automobile is different.
As you do this, pay close attention to the angle of the car seat base in order to ensure it matches the required angle for the car seat. It is important to read the instructions and safety recommendations for your particular car seat as well as the owner’s manual for your vehicle for more specific information. You can find some helpful additional information from the CDC in their helpful article on Child Passenger Safety.
Steps to secure your baby in a Car Seat
Place your child in the car seat. The child's back must be flat against the car seat.
Place harness straps over the child’s shoulders. Harness straps should enter the slots in the car seat at or below your child’s shoulders. Make sure they are not twisted.
Buckle the harness and the chest clip. Next, pull the harness snug. When the harness is snug you should not be able to pull any extra material at the shoulder.
Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a secure fit. Always buckle the baby in the seat first and then add coats or blankets.
If there are gaps or a need for additional support, fill the space on each side of the baby’s shoulders and head with small, rolled blankets.
If there is a gap between the buckle and your child’s groin (common for young infants), try placing a rolled washcloth or diaper in the space for a more secure fit.
Do not put padding under or behind the baby unless it is recommended by the car seat manufacturer.
Shift the chest clip to armpit level so that the harness straps stay in place on the child’s chest and shoulders.
Pro-parenting Tip
One day your baby will outgrow their car seat. When you up-size, upgrade to a convertible, all-in-one car seat. You can initially install this seat in the rear-facing position and once your child grows even more, turn the seat around to be forward facing.
If you are feeling confident in your car seat knowledge, try this quiz from the Harvard Medical School about all things car seats.
The beginning of a new baby’s life is full of firsts. Some of those can be a bit nerve-wracking, but buckling up your baby does not have to be one of them. With a little time, most parents can attest that this will become as familiar as tying your shoes, but probably a lot more important.