How to Install and Remove a Newborn Insert

Most infant car seats come equipped with a newborn insert, specifically designed to keep infants safe and secure in the car seat. When your baby grows out of the insert, however, it's important to remove it properly.

The child seat's manual will provide precise guidelines on when to take off the padding for head support. It is typically between five to six months.

What is an Newborn insert?

A newborn insert is a cushion that helps keep your baby safe and secure in their car seat. It's usually placed in the base of the car seat. It provides additional support for babies who weigh less than 5 pounds. The newborn insert will allow your baby sit in a a more comfortable position, and will help them sleep better in the car.

Most infant car seats, as well as convertible car seats include a newborn insert. The insert is designed for your baby to be elevated in the v-shaped area of the car seat. This allows them to fit comfortably, but without compromising safety. The insert also can reduce the distance between the bottom of the seat and the shoulder straps to ensure that the harness is at or below the shoulders of your child in the rear-forward facing infant car seat car seat.

Inserts for newborns are also available for strollers, which can make the time spent with your baby even more convenient and comfortable. If you're planning to use your infant car seat in conjunction with a stroller, make sure to follow the specific guidelines to determine when it is safe to remove the newborn insert. You can tell if your child is outgrowing their insert if they get squished into the seat, or struggle to get in and out. If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to contact the car seat manufacturer or book a consultation with a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST).

Rolling blankets are a great option as an alternative to infant car seats cheap inserts However, you should be careful about making them too bulky or tight around the neck of your baby. Roll the blankets around the body of your child not just around the head. Double them at the area of the head to avoid them pushing down on their chin.

When your child is no longer using the insert, it's an ideal idea to remove it from your car seat. The goal is to help your child build up their strength and muscle enough to be able to stand straight in their own seat. Unless there's an weight or age restriction specified by the manufacturer of the car seat, you should be able to remove the insert once your baby is able to remove it.

How do I Install a Newborn Insert

Inserts for babies are a great way to get an exact car seat for your baby. They can provide additional padding to keep your baby snug and secure in their seat. Many parents are unsure of how to use the insert or when it's safe to remove it. This guide will show you how to safely remove and install the insert for infants, so that your child can travel safely.

First things first, be sure you read the car seat manual thoroughly. The manufacturer has tested the car seat as well as the insert, and their instructions should be your primary source for all inquiries regarding your child's safety. It is also important to have the right tools for installing your newborn insert. You'll need a socket or wrench to loosen the screw on the base, and an flathead screwdriver to cut the upholstery off. After the upholstery has been removed then the foam insert can be put in the base of the car seat. Once the insert is in place it is essential to adjust the harness straps so they are placed on the baby's shoulders. The crotch strap needs to be centered in the middle of the insert for the infant.

It is crucial to keep in mind that newborns have floppy feet, and they may be able to move around in their seats. It is crucial to regularly check for proper positioning, and ensure that the chest clip is located at armpit height (it is not a "tummy" clip).

Some car seats come with an indicator that indicates blue or green when the straps are properly aligned and red or yellow otherwise. This is a handy feature to have, especially in the case of using your car seat at home and don't have the benefit of a trained nurse or CPST to assist you.

When your baby has outgrown the infant insert, you can remove it from the car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that your child face rearwards until they attain an appropriate weight or height that usually occurs before they reach the age of their car seat.

When to take off a Newborn insert

A car seat that's designed for babies is easy to use, and they usually come with a baby insert. The insert is a small pillow that goes under the baby and provides additional padding around their heads. Newborns typically have muscle development problems that require extra head support when they sit upright. The baby insert keeps them secure by allowing them to keep their head up straight.

The newborn insert may also aid in securing your baby correctly to the car seat's harness straps. The padded insert lifts the infant up so that you can securely secure the straps that attach to the shoulders of the harness. This is important for newborns. It is important to remember to only use the infant insert that was included in your baby's car seat. Making up a substitute or using an insert that's not suitable to your car seat may hinder the way your baby is secure in the car seat and could compromise their safety.

It is recommended to use only the insert included with your baby's car seat because it is crash-tested and tested as part of the seat. Making your own insert for your baby or using an insert made by a different brand could interfere with the way that your baby's car seat is tested and might not meet the rigorous safety standards that the seat has been through.

Typically the manual for your car seat will provide information on the best car seats for newborns time to remove the newborn insert. This information is typically based on your baby reaching the weight or length of a certain amount however, it may differ slightly from one seat to the next.

Keep the newborn insert in position until the manufacturer's recommended timeframe. This will ensure that your baby is secure and comfortable in the car seat as they expand, and ensure that they have all the essential features of an infant car seat of high-quality that you can trust.

Tips for Safety

Safety of the car seat is a top concern for all parents who are expecting particularly for those who will be using an infant car seat or convertible car seat. These seats are equipped with a variety of features that will help keep your child safe like adjustable harness straps, reclining options, different headrest heights, and the removable padding known as the insert for newborns. It's important to understand how and when these inserts are required and also know when it's the right time to remove them.

The majority of group 0+ car seats come with a baby insert. Some include an optional cushioned support for the head to offer additional safety and comfort. These inserts are popular due to their ability to prevent newborns from falling into the danger of the chin-to-chest position in the car seat. This could cause obstruction to their airways, which can lead to serious medical issues like the asphyxia caused by position.

In fact, research has proven that a newborn who has their head pushed down in this position can be at greater risk of oxygen deprivation than one that is sitting upright unsupported. This could occur in the car, in a bouncy seat or even a swing.

Using the newborn insert in the car seat of your child helps prevent this however it's recommended to dress them in thinner layers instead of heavy winter coats while they're sleeping or in their car seat. A thick coat or blanket can cause a collapse in a crash, leaving the straps of the harness loose and possibly putting your child at risk of injury.

Another way to keep your child as secure as possible in their car seat is to conduct a "pinch test" prior to driving. You can do this by pinching the slack on the shoulder of the harness strap to ensure that it is secure enough. It is also advisable to make sure that the buckle is in place to stop it from being pulled through the belt path. Talk to a pediatrician or your child's safety expert (CPST) for advice from an expert if you have any concerns.