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. The problem? Many car seats will include a LATCH system, yet they can also be installed using your vehicles seat belt. I have pulled in short motions up down left right straight and nothing has changed Privacy Policy and This path is probably behind where babys back will rest, rather than under his bottom. Pediatric and Webster Pregnancy Certified Chiropractor. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By checking the harness every time, you can minimise the amount and type of twists that occur. 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. Always make sure that your seat is level by using the level indicators on your car seat back, or bottom of your seat. Where is the safest place for a car seat? Let us know in the comments if youve come across any other issues or have any helpful tips for combating misuse in car seats! You can check this by wiggling the seat at the base closest to the belt path (not the top of the seat it is normal for this area to move more than 2.5cm). The LATCH system also has its own set of weight limits for when lower anchors can be used. In this particular seat, it would be HIGHLY recommended that your child remain rear-facing until 40 lbs. How to install a car seat using the LATCH system, How to install a car seat using a seat belt. 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. Being in a rear-facing position distributes the forces of the crash across the ENTIRE body of the child, minimizing the impact and damage. You can check out how to perform the pinch test here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3cOIurDwl8. And by extreme, I mean even an impact at 25MPH can cause significant injury to those involved. Id rather have less force throughout my entire body, wouldnt you? our editorial and medical review policies. And as both car seats fit your child up to four years old, youll look forward to many adventures in the car together. 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!). If the clip is too high, the child may choke or have their airways blocked or injured during an impact. If your fingers slip on the webbing and you arent able to pinch it, then its tight and secure.In case youre not familiar with the Pinch Test, check out this helpful video here to make sure you are doing the check correctly. While the LATCH system was invented to limit the hassle of car seat installation, you may not always be able to use LATCH with your car seat or vehicle. You can also check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for help finding a car seat inspection station. Which is the safest position for a car seat? When you're installing a rear-facing infant car seat, follow these steps to make sure your little one is as safe as possible. 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. Are you sure your info on harness height is correct? Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. Adults can have a VERY difficult time healing and moving past injuries that may have occurred. 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. Technically, as of right now, the law (in most states, but not all) is that a child can face forward if they are 1 year old AND 20 lbs although it is HIGHLY recommended that your child rear-face until they are at least 2 years old or until they outgrow the rear-facing guidelines of their seat. - The car seat should have a sticker that specifies the maximum child weight for lower anchor use.) Have your child sit in your vehicle seat, with their back on the back of the vehicle seat. Dont beat yourself up if you come across a few of these in your car, were here to help and theres always time to fix them! 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. Even better: These seats are considered to be safer for babys head and neck than infant car seats. If your seat does move more than 2.5cm or feels loose, you should reinstall the seat more firmly. Where is the safest place for a car 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. Once baby reaches the weight limit for LATCH, the seat belt is the safer car seat installation option. Step 7: Perform the one-inch test. Wiggle the base from side to side and backward to forward. Step 5: Check that the seat belt has locked properly and that the angle of the car seat is within the proper range (rear-facing seats should recline at 30 to 45 degrees; forward-facing seats should ride upright). Look for cracks, loose parts and defects in the belts and clips. You may find when performing the pinch test, the straps are tight enough. Once your child exceeds that weight, it is NO LONGER SAFE to secure your seat and child using that method. Good advice! Check your vehicle manual or car seat manual to see when using the LATCH method of installation is no longer allowed. Consult the car seats manual for the exact weight, but it tends to be around 45 pounds. Children travelling forward-facing can be thrown forwards in a head-on collision. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Last but not least, and yes were still talking harnesses! Suzanne Chan, D.N.P., C.P.N.P., C.P.S.T., pediatric nurse practitioner, New York Presbyterian Hospital, NY. Kids dont usually think car seats are cool. Plus, you may want to leave time to have your installed car seat inspected (for free!) 2022 InfaSecure The Ergobaby carrier was a lifesa. A shoulder belt that hits the child in the face can cause significant injury during a crash. 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. Mom Blogger. Step 2: Position the car seat base flat on the vehicles seat. Fret no more! 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. I am also a Chiropractor and have seen and treated my fair share of patients that have been involved in auto accidents. Always follow the directions outlined in your car seat and vehicle manuals. In most cars, the tether anchors are located on the back of the vehicle seat or on the ceiling. If youre nearing the end of your pregnancy, you probably still have a mile-long list of things to do. No matter the model of vehicle or car seat you have, follow these steps when installing an infant car seat. Having trouble? Make sure the lap belt lies low across your childs thighs and that the shoulder belt crosses the middle of your childs chest and shoulder. Turn to face you to easily place your child in or they can climb in themselves. So if youre hauling double or even triple the precious cargo, always put your youngest, most fragile rider in the middle. Their bodies are not developed enough or strong enough to withstand such extreme forces. They are cocoon-shaped to further protect your child. Do their legs stick straight out? Also, always check the expiration date of your seat. If it does, its not installed tightly enough. But in the meantime, keep them rear-facing to give them that advantage. Making sure the harness is tight is half the job done. -, [FRIDAY FAVORITE] Make sure your kids stay hydrate, Amen mama.give yourself some grace As 70% of accidents are frontal collisions, its safest for children to travel rearward-facing until their muscles and bones have properly developed. 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). Check out this video here for our untwisting hack! Step 3: Visually inspect the car seats belt and LATCH clips to ensure there are no tangles or twists. -, [FRIDAY FAVORITE] Rashguards/sun shirts are my abs, SALE ALERT! If your child is travelling rearward-facing, the car seat spreads the forces across the whole back, protecting the delicate head and neck. 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. |Refund Policy Guaranteed. Note that this test doesnt apply to up-and-down movement. - - Youre installing the car seat in the middle of the back seat. We also want you to enjoy using our car seats for longer. Laws and recommendations are constantly changing and its almost impossible to stay on top of the latest research and guidelines. It only takes a few seconds, and it could save your childs life in an impact! If your seat belt doesnt lock, youll need to purchase a locking clip. Step 6: Make sure the car seats angle is correct. You must then switch to a vehicle seat belt installation method. Assuming your infant seat and vehicle are a good match, heres how to skip the frustration and nail the proper car seat installation with ease. - The position of the chest clip is crucial in ensuring that your child is fully protected in the event of a collision. 2022Everyday Health, Inc, All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Press your knee into the base or kneel on top of the base as you pull the belt as tight as you can. If you think of your vehicle seatbelt and how it sits on you in the car its not super tight, simply the slack has been taken out. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. No matter what position, you can always recline for relaxing journeys. 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. I have uninstalled and changed the inclines. It might come to a surprise to many parents and caregivers that the height of the shoulder straps matters and changes whether the child is rear-facing or forward-facing. This tether is important for proper installation, because without it, there can be serious ramifications in an accident (or even braking hard). But dont feel like you have to use LATCH. Are their legs long enough to bend over the vehicle seat at the knee? Some car seat manufacturers (like Britax) are now including an audible click to advise parents when the straps are tight enough. Carried 50 million babies home from hospitals. When checking that the harness is tight, its also important to check for twists in the straps. Both infant and convertible seats are concave to embrace the spine and shelter it during an impact. These are the points that their 5-point harness touch. 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. If you can pinch the webbing, then the harness is too loose and will need to be tightened. Step 5: Pull the strap on the LATCH attachment to tighten the seat as much as possible. Also our Facebook Group can be very helpful! 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. Many car seats can be installed with LATCH up until 40-45lbs. Your email address will not be published. Step 3: Visually inspect the belt and LATCH clips to ensure there are no tangles or twists in the belts. 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. Required fields are marked *. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. It helps stabilise the top of the car seat, and prevents it from rotating over.If youre not sure where your anchorage points are, you should check your vehicle owners manual, or contact the manufacturer. - This puts stress on the head and neck, which can lead to serious injury. Heres how to tackle a rear-facing convertible car seat installation: Step 1: Carefully inspect the convertible car seat for any defects. Does the seat belt cut into their neck? Try this trick: Place a pool noodle or rolled-up towel against the bottom of your vehicles back seat to adjust the car seats angle. We recommend using the Lockie, SafeGrip, or Gated Buckle. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array();window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0] = 'EMAIL';ftypes[0] = 'email';fnames[1] = 'FNAME';ftypes[1] = 'text';fnames[2] = 'DUEDATE';ftypes[2] = 'date';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt never a lap-only belt. Thanks for contacting us! SHE WANTS TO SEE THE WORLD. Again, rear-facing seats should recline at a 30- to 45-degree angle. 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. - A cocooning newborn inlay means you can use Mica Pro Eco & Mica from your first drive home from the hospital. Founder of Baby Logic. Find advice, support and good company (and some stuff just for fun). Please help this seat was so expensive and I hate it so much its so hard to use. Is It Safe for Babies to Sleep in Car Seats? Step 4: Buckle the seat belt and press down or kneel on the car seat to compress the seat cushion as much as possible. And when it comes down to it, installing a car seat using a seat belt is pretty simple. What type of car seat should my child be in? This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Most car seats provide space for this. We often hear parents ask how tight they should pull the straps on their childs car seat to properly secure it. We have compiled a list of the TOP 6 MOST COMMON CAR SEAT MISTAKES. 5 tips to help you avoid ever leaving your child in a hot car. Mom of 3 Boys. So, what does that mean? When you choose a rotating car seat youre opting for the ultimate combination of safety and convenience. If you cannot afford a new seat, most cities have programs in place to help issues new, safe seats to families in need. 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. After all, trying to properly install a car seat while catching your breath and trying not to pee isnt fun. Is it safe for my child to wear a jacket in their car seat? Baby Logic may earn a small commission for any endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. 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. Step 6: Make sure the car seats angle is correct: Rear-facing seats should recline at a 30- to 45-degree angle. We're a 4th generation, 100% Australian owned and operated family business. So read our list below (in no particular order), and avoid making these easy to correct mistakes. Do you know why rearward facing is the safest way for babies and younger children to travel? 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. Here is where I throw in my professional opinion. I have the achieve premium seat Dr. Rachel is a car seat safety tech and loves helping families with their gear! To check the harness, start by buckling your child in their car seat. 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. Car seat installation is notorious for being a painbut it doesnt have to be. A quick test is to do a pinch test once your child is secured. Its an exciting moment but you could be unknowingly doing your child a disservice. If you CANT pinch the fabric together, your child is secured properly. Your purchase helps support our work in bringing you real and logical information about parenthood and babies. Then, try to pinch the harness strap on the childs shoulder/collar bone. - 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. 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. 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. Their car seats are their major means of protection and stabilization during a crash. Thanks for sharing! Heres how to install a car seat base using the LATCH system: Step 1: Remove the bucket seat from the base and carefully inspect the base for any defects. Child Passenger Safety Technician. 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. If you CAN pinch some fabric together, then tighten the straps and re-test. Our. You can use a locking device on the seatbelt to ensure this install stays tight. Installing or adjusting a carseat can be a bit tricky sometimes, and we know youre reluctant to read that enormous (but very helpful) instruction manual. Once your seat is secured in your vehicle, it should not move more than1 INCH at thebelt path. - 110-114 Old Bathurst Rd., Emu Plains NSW 2750, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google We all know that installing and using car seats correctly can be overwhelming and challenging. |Shipping Policy. Its easy to overlook some seemingly small errors when installing your seat or securing your child in the seat. Are they tall enough so that the vehicle shoulder belt drapes across their shoulder and chest? Another common question is How long does my child need to be in a booster/car seat for? Installing a car seat can be tricky, especially for first-time parents, and more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly. Step 4: Attach the LATCH clip on one side of the base to the corresponding lower anchor of the vehicles seat. Your child exceeds the recommended weight limit for the LATCH system. For that reason, the shoulder strap height should be AT or slightly BELOW the shoulder of the child. Check out this video here for our untwisting hack! LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is a car seat installation system that relies on anchors and tethers that are built into the car itself. They should be no further than 2.5cm distance from the shoulder in either direction. You probably know by now that baby should always be placed in the back seatbut even here there is a sweet spot thats considered safest. For any restraint certified to the AS/NZS 1754 standard, this is correct. DO NOT WORRY IF THE OTHER END OF THE SEAT (the non-secured end) WIGGLES MORE THAN THAT. - 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. Our goal is to empower parents and allow them to make informed decisions regarding their baby gear. Step 2: Check your vehicles seat belt to find out where it locksit will either be at the retractor (where the seat belt retracts into the car upon release) or the latch plate (the plastic part where you buckle the belt). It ensures a 5th point of contact and will help properly secure your child. And you can do it all without leaning over and straining your back. How to install a car seat using the LATCH system If your restraint is fitted with a Top Tether it is essential that it is used, and used with an approved vehicle anchorage point. Use this step-by-step guide: Step 1: Stow or securely fasten any LATCH attachments, since they wont be used. Easy-in harness makes strapping up quick and easy! by a technician from the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program to make sure everythings lined up correctly and ready to transport baby safely home. The Pinch Test should be done every time you put your child in their seat. 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.