How to Install and Remove a Newborn Insert

Most infant 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 correctly as your child grows out of it.

Your child seat's manual will provide clear guidelines on when to remove the padding for head support. This is typically around five or six months.

What is what is a Newborn insert?

A newborn insert is an additional cushion that keeps your baby secure and safe in their car seat. It's typically installed in the lower part of the car seat. It provides additional support for babies that weigh less than 5 pounds. The newborn insert will help your baby to sit in an easier position and will encourage them to sleep better in the car.

The majority of infant car seat newborn car seats and convertible car seats are equipped with a newborn insert. The insert is designed to raise your baby's height in the v-shaped space of the seat, allowing them to fit more comfortably without compromising safety. The insert can also reduce the distance between the shoulder and bottom straps of the rear-facing seat, allowing the harness to rest lower than the shoulders of your child.

Newborn inserts for strollers are also available, making outings even more convenient and comfortable. If you're considering using your infant car seat with a stroller, make sure to check out the specific guidelines to determine when it is safe to remove the infant insert. You can tell if your baby is growing out of their insert when they get squished into the seat, or struggle to get in and out. If you aren't sure then contact the car seat manufacturer. You may also request an appointment with a Child Passenger Safety Technologist (CPST).

Rolling blankets can be used as an alternative to inserts for infants, but you should avoid making them too bulky or tight around your baby's neck. Roll the blankets along the body of your child not just around the head. Double them around the top of the head to prevent them rubbing against their chin.

It's also an excellent idea to remove the insert from your car seats newborn seat when your baby has stopped using it. The goal is to help your child build up their strength and muscle enough to stay straight in their own seat. Unless there's an age or weight restriction indicated by the car seat manufacturer it should be possible remove the insert when your baby is able to remove it.

How do you install a Newborn Insert

Inserts for newborns are a great way to get an accurate car seat fit for your infant. They offer extra padding to keep your baby safe and comfortable in their seat. Many parents are confused about how to use an insert or when it's safe to remove it. This guide will help you securely install and remove your infant insert so that your child can travel safely!

Before you do anything else, make sure to read the manual of your car seat carefully. The manufacturer has crash tested the car seat and insert. Their instructions should be the first place you go to for any concerns regarding your child's safety. It is also important to have the proper tools to put in your newborn insert. You'll require an appropriate socket or wrench to loosen the screw on the base, as well as a flathead screwdriver that can pry the upholstery off. The foam insert can then be placed into the base of your car seat once the upholstery has been removed. Once the infant insert is in place, it is important to adjust the harness straps so that they are centered on the baby's shoulders. The crotch should also be aligned within the infant insert.

It is important to remember that babies have floppy feet and can move about their seat. It is essential to check regularly for proper positioning, and that the chest clip is located at armpit height (it is not "tummy" clip).

Some car seats have an indicator that will show blue or green if the straps are properly aligned and yellow or red in the event that they are not. This is a useful instrument, especially if the car seat is at home and is not using the assistance of a CPST or a skilled nurse.

When your baby is no longer using the infant insert, you can remove it from the car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child face backwards in their car seat until they reach a particular weight or height. This will usually happen before the child has outgrown their car seat.

When to Remove a Newborn Insert

A car seat that is designed for infants should be easy to operate and come with an insert for babies. The insert is a small pillow which goes under the baby's head and adds an additional cushion. The head support is needed by newborns who have problems with muscle development. The baby insert keeps them secure in their seat by making it easier to keep their heads up straight.

The insert for newborns may help you secure your infant properly in the harness straps of the car seat. The padded insert helps you secure the shoulder straps on the harness by lifting the baby. This is especially important for babies. It is recommended to use only the insert included with the car seat for your baby. Making a makeshift solution or using an insert that's not designed for your car seat can interfere with how your baby is secure and may compromise their safety.

Another reason why you should only use the infant insert that came from the car seat your baby is that it has been tested and crash-tested as a part of the car seat itself. Trying to create your own insert for your baby or using an insert made by a different brand could disrupt the way your baby's car seat is tested and might not meet the rigorous safety standards that the seat has already gone through.

Typically the manual for your car seat will include information about the best time to remove the infant insert. This information is usually dependent on the baby's weight or length reaching the weight or length of a certain amount and can differ slightly from one seat to the next.

If your baby is too large for the newborn insert You should make sure to keep it in place until your car seat manufacturer's suggested timeframe. This will ensure your baby is safe and comfortable as they grow into the car seat.

Tips for Safety

Every new parent is concerned about the security of their child's car seat, but this is especially relevant for parents who plan to use an infant or convertible seat. Many of these seats have many different features to help keep your baby safe, including adjustable harness straps, recline options, various headrest heights, and removable padding, also known as the newborn insert. It is crucial to know how and when these inserts are required, and also to know when it's the right time to remove them.

Most group 0+ infant car seat rear facing car seats come with infant inserts, and some even offer a cushioned headrest to provide additional security and comfort. The reason they are so popular is because they stop newborns from falling into the risky chest-to-chin position in the car seat which can block their airways and cause serious medical problems such as positional asphyxia.

Research shows that a baby with their head pushed downward in this position is at a greater risk of being deficient in oxygen as in comparison to a baby who sits upright and without support. This can happen in the car, bouncy seats or even the swing.

Utilizing the newborn insert in your child's car seat newborn insert seat helps prevent this but it's also a good idea to dress them in thinner layers rather than heavy winter coats while they're sleeping or in their car seat. A heavy blanket or coat can compress in the event of a crash, leaving the straps of the harness loose and put your child at risk.

Doing a "pinch-test" prior to driving is another method to ensure that your baby is as safe as they can in the car seat. You can do this by pinning the slack that is at the shoulder of the harness strap to make sure it is tight enough. It is also advisable to make sure that the buckle is securely in place to stop it from being pulled through the belt pathway. Consult a pediatrician or your child's passenger safety expert (CPST) for advice from an expert if you have any concerns.