Mom Blogger. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances. The Pinch Test is the best way to determine whether your childs car seat or capsule harness is tight enough. For rearward facing restraints, the harness should be fitted through the slots or positioned as CLOSE TO AND ABOVE the childs shoulders, NEVER BELOW. There are a few things you should consider before you install your new car seat. Also, if their legs are straight out, they could receive significant fractures to the legs and pelvis if a force pushed them into the seat ahead of them. Step 3: Position the car seat flat on the vehicles seat, then thread the seat belt through the appropriate belt path (depending on whether youre installing a forward-facing or rear-facing seat). This may be the case if: If you meet any of these above scenarios, dont sweat it: Baby can still enjoy a perfectly safe ride. But dont feel like you have to use LATCH. Many car seats can be installed with LATCH up until 40-45lbs. This path is probably behind where babys back will rest, rather than under his bottom. The top tether is the webbing that comes from the top/back of the seat and has a metal hook on the end which is attached to the vehicle anchorage point. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program, Car Seat Installation Information: Seat Belts & LATCH, How to Install a Rear-Facing Only Infant Car Seat, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. Dr. Rachel is a car seat safety tech and loves helping families with their gear! When threading the seatbelt through the belt path, put your knee and some weight into the seat to ensure its pushed into the vehicle seat before your clip in the seatbelt. Our. For forward facing restraints, the harness should be fitted through the slots CLOSEST to the childs shoulders. If your restraint is fitted with a Top Tether it is essential that it is used, and used with an approved vehicle anchorage point. No matter what position, you can always recline for relaxing journeys. In 2014, AxissFix brought you 360-degree rotation. The straps are easily twisted when putting children in and out of their seats. (If you want to start using a convertible car seat from the get-go, many offer newborn inserts.) Booster seats (with or without 5-point harness) raise the child to the appropriate level on the seat so that their legs drape over the vehicle seat and the shoulder belt can lay safely across their chest. In this article: Step 4: Attach the LATCH clip on one side of the base to the corresponding lower anchor of the vehicles seat; then do the same for the other side. When the straps are too loose, there is a risk that the child could slip out of his/her car seat in the event of a sudden impact, resulting in injury of death. Step 5: Find the tether strap on the top of the car seat and clip it into your vehicles tether anchor, usually found on the back of your vehicles seat or on the ceiling. It can be very daunting to install a new car seat in your vehicle. Is It Safe for Babies to Sleep in Car Seats? If your family owns two cars, its a good idea to add a second seat base to your baby registry: Installing a car seat base in each car saves you the hassle of moving one base back and forth between cars every time you and baby want to go for a ride. Once your toddler reaches the weight limit for riding backwards in his convertible car seat, youll need to reinstall it as a forward-facing seat. Pediatric and Webster Pregnancy Certified Chiropractor. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Child Passenger Safety Technician. Your email address will not be published. Installing a car seat can be tricky, especially for first-time parents, and more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly. Look for cracks, loose parts and defects in the belts and clips. But a word to the wise: Dont save the car seat installation for the last minute. So read our list below (in no particular order), and avoid making these easy to correct mistakes. A cocooning newborn inlay means you can use Mica Pro Eco & Mica from your first drive home from the hospital. For that reason, the shoulder strap height should be AT or slightly ABOVE the shoulder of the child. We're a 4th generation, 100% Australian owned and operated family business. [CLICK HERE] for a list of certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in your area. Most will do a safety check for you for free. - Last but not least, and yes were still talking harnesses! Plus more from The Bump, Car Seat Safety Tips: Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. From our first groundbreaking rearward-facing car seat launched in 1984, weve innovated our range to make every journey easier. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your seat belt doesnt lock, youll need to purchase a locking clip. Also our Facebook Group can be very helpful! As 70% of accidents are frontal collisions, its safest for children to travel rearward-facing until their muscles and bones have properly developed. Its important that the seat moves no more than 2.5cm side to side at the belt path. The first sustainable car seat of its kind; Safety is always our number one goal, and G-Cell 2.0 Side Impact Protection technology in the. Choose Mica Pro Eco for best-in-class sleep comfort while travelling! Manufacturers dont recommend using a tether with a rear-facing car seat, so its okay for the base to move up and down, just not side to side or back and forth. They are cocoon-shaped to further protect your child. Are their legs long enough to bend over the vehicle seat at the knee? In 2007 Axiss was the first rotating car seat, with a 90-degree turn. A clip that is too low might allow for the child to be ejected from the seat. What you need to know is this: Your childmust be6 years old AND 60 lbsto even startthinkingabout not using a booster seat, and it is highly recommended to wait until your child is8 years old AND 80 lbs. Step 7: Perform the one-inch test. Wiggle the base from side to side and backward to forward. Check your vehicle manual or car seat manual to see when using the LATCH method of installation is no longer allowed. our editorial and medical review policies. The position of the chest clip is crucial in ensuring that your child is fully protected in the event of a collision. Terms of Service apply. Suzanne Chan, D.N.P., C.P.N.P., C.P.S.T., pediatric nurse practitioner, New York Presbyterian Hospital, NY. If it does, its not installed tightly enough. If they arent in this position, consult your car seat manual, which will show you how to properly thread the attachments through the rear-facing belt path. Good advice! Fret no more! (Dont feel like doing the math? [FRIDAY FAVORITE] Hours of fun. WHAT TYPE OF STROLLER IS THE BEST FOR MY FAMILY? You must then switch to a vehicle seat belt installation method. These little labels are super important and it's good to know why they exist, and how to use them properly! When you choose a rotating car seat youre opting for the ultimate combination of safety and convenience. Baby Logic may earn a small commission for any endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Our goal is to empower parents and allow them to make informed decisions regarding their baby gear. Their bodies are not developed enough or strong enough to withstand such extreme forces. If the clip is too high, the child may choke or have their airways blocked or injured during an impact. Id rather have less force throughout my entire body, wouldnt you? If you CANT pinch the fabric together, your child is secured properly. Carried 50 million babies home from hospitals. We want what is best for our own children, and that hard-wired protective nature drives everything we do. Is it safe for my child to wear a jacket in their car seat? The problem? Bottom line: The safest position for babys car seat is wherever you can install it snugly, either with the LATCH system or seat belt, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)and that may be in the outboard seats instead of the middle. When adjusting the harness straps and tightening, try removing the slack from the hip area first by pulling both straps up towards the shoulders, prior to pulling the adjuster strap to tighten. While some vehicle models have dedicated lower anchors (metal bars that LATCH-compatible car seats can connect to) for the middle seat, most only come with one set in each outboard seatand its not safe to borrow a lower anchor from the two outboard seats. Being in a rear-facing position distributes the forces of the crash across the ENTIRE body of the child, minimizing the impact and damage. 2022 InfaSecure It ensures a 5th point of contact and will help properly secure your child. What type of car seat should my child be in? Once your child exceeds that weight, it is NO LONGER SAFE to secure your seat and child using that method. In vehicles made after 2014, lower anchors can be used for rear-facing seats as long as the combined weight of your child plus the seat itself is less than 65 pounds. Adults can have a VERY difficult time healing and moving past injuries that may have occurred. When the child is rear-facing, most typically in an infant seat or a rear-facing convertible seat, the shoulder straps prevent the child from sliding up in the seat during an impact. Look for cracks, loose parts and defects in the belts and clips. After all, trying to properly install a car seat while catching your breath and trying not to pee isnt fun. The dropbox link below shows two videos, one tightening straps without removing the slack and one after removing the slack. For forward-facing car seats, the combined weight of the child and car seat should be less than 69 pounds. Press your knee into the base or kneel on top of the base as you pull the belt as tight as you can. You may find when performing the pinch test, the straps are tight enough. Always make sure that your seat is level by using the level indicators on your car seat back, or bottom of your seat. Even though you hear the click, make sure your straps are properly positioned on your child and tighten the straps a bit more to be sure you have the best fit. If its expired toss it. Still cant get that last twist out no matter how many times you flip the straps? We all know that installing and using car seats correctly can be overwhelming and challenging. Youre installing the car seat in the middle of the back seat. You can use a pool noodle or foam roller to help adjust the level of your seat if it does not include a self-adjusting mechanism. For that reason, the shoulder strap height should be AT or slightly BELOW the shoulder of the child. If you can pinch the webbing, then the harness is too loose and will need to be tightened. We're just like you - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Both Mica Pro Ecos and Micas flexible 360-degree rotation means it has never been easier to get ready to go. The chest clip needs to rest on the strongest part of the chest, the sternum. Find a car seat inspection station near you through the, Keep in mind that only a certified car seat safety technician is likely to be up-to-date on all the latest recommendations, so for peace of mind search for one in your area through the. - We also want you to enjoy using our car seats for longer. Its not broken! That said, there are a few instances where baby isnt better off in the middle: If you want to use the LATCH system. Just because your child has met the minimum requirements for their big boy or big girl seat, doesnt mean that theyve necessarily reached the maximum height and weight for their current seat. 110-114 Old Bathurst Rd., Emu Plains NSW 2750, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google No matter what I do I cannot tighten the belt by pulling on the cord whilst my son is buckled in. Having trouble? Most of the time, theyre only safe to be used in the outboard positions or if there are dedicated extra anchors for the middle seat. If youre a LATCH devotee, youll probably need to install the car seat on one of the outboard seats. Step 7: Perform the one-inch test. Remember, because a rear-facing seat shouldnt be tethered, movement at the back of the seat isnt a problemits any jiggling from side to side or front to back thats of concern. They are designed to do that to take forces away from your child. In most cars, the tether anchors are located on the back of the vehicle seat or on the ceiling. Also, dont worry if your infant seat seems like it can flip up towards the back of your seat. If youre nearing the end of your pregnancy, you probably still have a mile-long list of things to do. If a harness is loose, the childs head and upper body can move too far forward, and they have the potential to be ejected in an impact. For any restraint certified to the AS/NZS 1754 standard, this is correct. This puts stress on the head and neck, which can lead to serious injury. Small, narrow spaces, uneven seat surfaces and a lack of available LATCH anchors or a seat belt are several reasons why manufacturers suggest you avoid placing a car seat in the center. When adults get into an accident, the force of the crash is distributed across our chests (with the shoulder belt) and across our laps (with the lap belt). If your cars manual advises against it. Mom of 3 Boys. A quick test is to do a pinch test once your child is secured. If you have questions about child passenger safety laws or need help installing a car seat, participate in a local car seat clinic or inspection event. Check out this video here for our untwisting hack! This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. */. - A shoulder belt that hits the child in the face can cause significant injury during a crash. Well, if you have a convertible car seat, it is most likely suitable to rear-face from 5-40 lbs. How can i secure the shoulder belts ,as my 2 year old is able to remove it from the shoulders, inspite of how secured i keep it .Where can i get the product to avoid this and name pls. Check with your local police or fire station, baby store or car dealership. Also, always check the expiration date of your seat. Both will advise you on the best location and best way to secure your car seat to your vehicle seat. Does the seat belt cut into their neck? - Using one means your baby and child travel in the safe rearward-facing position and its quick and easy to get them strapped in and ready to go. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Car seat installation is notorious for being a painbut it doesnt have to be. Learn more aboutour editorial and medical review policies. Step 6: Make sure the car seats angle is correct: Rear-facing seats should recline at a 30- to 45-degree angle. Making sure the harness is tight is half the job done. GET YO, hahaha same mama, same. 5 tips to help you avoid ever leaving your child in a hot car. Again, rear-facing seats should recline at a 30- to 45-degree angle. Its easy to overlook some seemingly small errors when installing your seat or securing your child in the seat. If youve got loose straps and once buckled in you go straight to pulling the strap, this makes it much more difficult to adjust due to the excess friction. The safest installation method is the one that you can perform correctly time and time again and the one that you are the most comfortable with. - DO NOT WORRY IF THE OTHER END OF THE SEAT (the non-secured end) WIGGLES MORE THAN THAT. As your child grows, its imperative that you follow both your car seat manufacturer and vehicle manufacturer instructions to determine how long you can use LATCH for, says Nicholas Krukowski, a certified child passenger safety technician and owner of Adiona Safety Seats in Loudoun County, Virginia. Keep reading below for more safety tips and car seat information. Before you begin your car seat installation, give your car owners manual and the car seat instructions a read. Most children will go through a phase of undoing / escaping their car seat harness and there are a few How to check your child's harness (in a pinch!). As the name implies, the system is made up of lower anchors, which are the metal U-shaped bars at the base of the vehicles seat, and a tether, which is a strap thats usually found at or near the top of the car seat and connects to the vehicles tether anchor. Note that this test doesnt apply to up-and-down movement. - You can use a locking device on the seatbelt to ensure this install stays tight. We recommend using the Lockie, SafeGrip, or Gated Buckle. Your email address will not be published. Getting a tight install of your car seat can be difficult. SHE WANTS TO SEE THE WORLD. Children travelling forward-facing can be thrown forwards in a head-on collision. Thanks for sharing! Heres how to tackle a rear-facing convertible car seat installation: Step 1: Carefully inspect the convertible car seat for any defects. And were sure youve seenmany children with loose straps that fall off their shoulders or sag while youre out and about. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. Your purchase helps support our work in bringing you real and logical information about parenthood and babies. Step 6: Perform the one-inch test. In this case, the test applies to any up-and-down movement (in addition to side to side and front to back), since the car seat should be tethered using the tether clip. Make sure you always check your vehicles instruction manual, as well as the instruction manual of your car seat. You can also check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for help finding a car seat inspection station. I have the achieve premium seat And you can do it all without leaning over and straining your back. I have pulled in short motions up down left right straight and nothing has changed Here is where I throw in my professional opinion. Your child exceeds the recommended weight limit for the LATCH system. This is probably one of the most widely debated topics regarding car seat safety. - Required fields are marked *. Not to preach to the choir, again, but it is HIGHLY recommended that your child stay in their current seat until they have reached the maximum allowance for it. You can also leave your question in the comments section and well help you navigate your seat. - How to install a car seat using the LATCH system It shouldnt move more than one inch in any direction. If they do meet these requirements, make sure you do afit test. 2022Everyday Health, Inc, All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. The Pinch Test should be done every time you put your child in their seat. Step 3: Attach the LATCH clip on one side of the base to the corresponding lower anchor of the vehicles seat; do the same for the other side. Laws and recommendations are constantly changing and its almost impossible to stay on top of the latest research and guidelines. How to clean your (gross) buckles! Use this step-by-step guide: Step 1: Stow or securely fasten any LATCH attachments, since they wont be used. When you're installing a rear-facing infant car seat, follow these steps to make sure your little one is as safe as possible. The LATCH system also has its own set of weight limits for when lower anchors can be used. The car seats LATCH clips should be facing the back of the vehicles seat where the lower anchors are located. These guides give you a good sense of where to install the car seat, whether the seat is a good match for your vehicle and whether your car has any quirks you need to be aware of, says Libby Nye, a certified child passenger safety technician with Saving Loudouns Littles, a nonprofit dedicated to car seat safety. Once baby reaches the weight limit for LATCH, the seat belt is the safer car seat installation option. Counterfeit Car Seats Are Flooding the Market, Heres How to Spot the Fakes, 11 Best Toddler Car Seats to Keep Your Traveling Tot Safe, Target Is Bringing Back Its Popular Car Seat Trade-In Program, 8 Best Booster Seats to Keep Kids Safe While on the Go, Parents Are Still Making These Key Car Seat Mistakes, Survey Says, Australian Dad Hopes His Simple Device Will Help Prevent Hot Car Deaths, Parents Are Transitioning Their Kids From Car Seats Too Soon, Survey Says, 8 Car Seat Mistakes Most Parents Are Making, What to Look for When Picking Out a Car Seat, National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program. Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news (to some of you), but according to new research and to leading car seat safety experts, children should remain in their current seat UNTIL THEY OUTGROW IT for that particular facing position. The infamous question being WHEN CAN MY CHILD FORWARD-FACE. Let us know in the comments if youve come across any other issues or have any helpful tips for combating misuse in car seats! Step 3: Visually inspect the belt and LATCH clips to ensure there are no tangles or twists in the belts. Step 4: Pull the strap on the LATCH attachment to tighten the seat as much as possible. Plus, you may want to leave time to have your installed car seat inspected (for free!) - Car crashes are one of the leading causes of injury and death among children, but car seats save lives every day. The lower anchors are convenient, but despite what people often think, they arent any safer than the seatbelt as a method of car seat installation, Nye says. |Shipping Policy. From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. By that time, hopefully, their bodies are developed and strong enough to withstand forces during a collision. Are you sure your info on harness height is correct? Some cars just arent designed to accommodate a car seat in the middle of the back seat. This tether is important for proper installation, because without it, there can be serious ramifications in an accident (or even braking hard). If your child is travelling rearward-facing, the car seat spreads the forces across the whole back, protecting the delicate head and neck. Founder of Baby Logic. Then, try to pinch the harness strap on the childs shoulder/collar bone. One of the issues I see most often is people using the lower anchors in the center position when theyre not allowed to be used for that position, Nye says. Step 2: Because convertible car seats can be used either forward- or rear-facing, they have two entirely different belt paths for the LATCH clips. But in the meantime, keep them rear-facing to give them that advantage. Do you know why rearward facing is the safest way for babies and younger children to travel? And when it comes down to it, installing a car seat using a seat belt is pretty simple. Step 5: Pull the strap on the LATCH attachment to tighten the seat as much as possible.