One of the most important things you can do to keep your baby safe is to install their car seat into the vehicle correctly.
Here are some tips for installing your first car seat:
Don’t skip the car seat manual. The manual will have specific instructions for installing your car seat in your vehicle.
Opt for the LATCH installation method, which is designed to make installation a bit easier for newbies compared to seatbelt installation methods.
Install the car seat on a flat and level area of ground, not an inclined driveway. This allows you to check the recline level accurately, which changes depending on baby’s age. Your car seat manual will guide you on the proper recline positioning for your seat.
Once your baby is here, prepare to understand how to safely secure them in their car seat, which should be rear-facing. The crotch buckle should be in the innermost slot, and the shoulder straps should come from below or at the level of their shoulders.
Certified technicians can help you install your car seat correctly and answer any questions about your baby’s unique fit in their seat.
Here are some additional tips that may not be intuitive:
Do not use a car seat that has been in a crash, even if it is minor. Always call your car seat manufacturer to see if they want to replace it.
Do not accept a car seat secondhand when you do not know the history of how it was maintained or if it was involved in a crash. Consider how car seats also have expiration dates, which vary by brand and model.
Never assume you can use soap or submerge your car seat in water to clean it, which can ruin your car seat’s ability to protect your baby in the event of a crash. Check your manual for proper cleaning instructions.
Additional resources to bookmark:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website: The NHTSA website has a car seat installation guide and a search tool for finding certified child passenger safety technicians in your area.
Safe Kids Worldwide is a non-profit organization that works to prevent injuries to children. Their website has a car seat installation guide and other resources for parents.