Installing the Infant Car Seat in your Car

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Installing the Infant Car Seat in your Car

By Rachel Lacourciere, edHelperBaby

When Should I Place the Car Seat in My Car?

Placing the infant car seat in your car is yet another important step in preparing for the arrival of your newest family addition. However, as simple a job as it may seem, it should also be recognized as a commonly misunderstood task that needs to be done carefully to ensure the safety of your little one at all times when traveling. The ideal time to place the infant car seat in your car is somewhere during the last 3-6 weeks approaching your due date. This will allow you enough time to get it properly installed and checked by a certified technician (if you desire) before you go into labor.

How to Install the Car Seat in Your Car

       Before installing the infant car seat, be certain you have consulted both the car seat manual and your car's vehicle manual for any additional tips or suggestions specific to your own equipment.

       The first step when installing the car seat is choosing the best spot in your car for it to be placed. Be certain to position it in the back seat where it fits best. Experts recommend placing the car seat in the middle back seat or behind the driver seat if possible. It is important to note that you should NEVER place the car seat in the front passenger seat that has the airbag turned on; should the airbag inflate, it will hit the back of the car seat where your baby's head is resting, potentially causing serious injury or death.

       The second step is to set up the proper angle for the car seat itself. Make sure you consult your car seat manual for information regarding the best angle for your specific car seat. In general, a rear-facing car seat should not be angled more than 45 degrees so that the baby's head does not fall forward while at the same time ensuring the baby does not slip out of the harness entirely.

       Check your vehicle manual to see if you will need to use a locking clip (which comes with most new car seats) with the seat belt to properly secure the car seat. Once you have installed the car seat, test out its range of movement; it should not move more than an inch when properly installed.

Additional Car Seat Safety Tips

Here are few added things to keep in mind with your infant car seat:

As a general guideline, all infants should travel in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least one year old and weigh twenty pounds or more.
For a rear-facing car seat, the harness straps need to be at or below the baby's shoulders. (For an older child placed in a forward-facing car seat, the harness straps need to be at or above their shoulders.)
To test the harness tightness, you should only be able to fit one finger between the shoulder strap and the baby's shoulder; if there is more slack than this, the harness needs to be tightened further.
The chest clip should be clasped and lined up with the baby's armpits.
During colder months, place blankets on top of the locked harness and clasped chest clip; NEVER place blankets underneath the harness and chest clip.
The carrying handle on the infant car seat should be completely down and not in an upright position.
Some hospitals have certified technicians on hand to assist you (or more likely your partner) with ensuring the car seat is correctly installed in your car. Be sure to check with your hospital to see if this is a service they offer.
If you are in an accident with the infant car seat, it is recommended that you get a replacement immediately.

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