Easy Steps On How To Install Baby Car Seat For Maximum Safety?
Part of the preparation for a newborn is planning for outdoor trips. You need a good car seat for the first doctor’s appointment or adventure trip. However, even the best seats sometimes come with unclear directions on installation. Some manufacturers offer no manuals on how to install baby car seats.
An unclear manual is not a good reason to throw away a good infant seat.
Read on for instructions on how to install an infant car seat in different positions.
How To Install Baby Car Seat Without Base?
Most car seats come with a base. Such seats give a clicking sound when you install them properly.
However, you will find a few safe models without a base.
The most important thing when installing such seats is to position the belts properly.
Try placing the seat at different positions, that is, both sides and at the center. Get a position where the seat is stable.
Pull out and secure both the shoulder and lap belts into position.
Ensure that each belt lies flat. Activate the locking mechanism on the shoulder belt and then buckle the seat belt.
Trying pushing and pulling the seat on all sides to ensure that it is firmly installed.
If the infant car seat installation process is right, the seat should not move for more than an inch to all sides.
How To Install Infant Car Seat With Seatbelt?
Parents often struggle with finding a secure position for an infant seat because of the car seat’s design.
Hence, the right position when using a seatbelt to install an infant car seat will depend on the car seat.
Ensure that the surface and base of the infant seat contacts the car seat as much as possible.
Adjust the infant seat to the best reclining position before installation. Tipping it when installing will make the seat unstable.
Place the shoulder belt around the top or head area of the baby’s seat.
Use the lap seat belt to hold both sides in position. The seat belt should give an audible click when installed properly.
One major challenge with relying on the seat belt for infant car seat installation is incompatibility.
Hence, when choosing a baby car seat, look for a design that is compatible with your vehicle’s interior design.
How To Install Rear Facing? Baby Car Seat?
The first place to start when installing a car seat is to read the manual.
If you buy from a reliable supplier, you will have an idea on the best position for a rear-facing position.
Place the infant seat in this position and then buckle the seat belt through the belt path at the back.
Any infant seat that supports a rear-facing position should have a belt path at the back.
If not, avoid using the seat in this position. Buckle and lock the seat belt in a comfortable reclining position.
Press the belt down on the baby seat and confirm its tight position.
The seat should not move more than inch front-to-back and from side-to-side.
For a safe rear-facing position, most suppliers add built-in angle indicators.
The indicators help you the right position for infant car seat installation that keeps the baby breathing properly.
A semi-reclined position is recommended for infants. You will adjust the angle, as the baby grows older.
How To Install Front Facing Infant Car Seat?
Most parents prefer the front-facing sitting position because they can easily monitor the baby while driving.
The rear-facing position is safe but difficult to check on the baby.
However, with the front-facing position, it is easy for babies to topple over while trying to reach for stuff in the car.
A baby can also slide off the seat when the car brakes suddenly.
Hence, extra caution is necessary when installing the car seat in this position to avoid accidents.
Always read the manual from the manufacturer before installing the seat.
The main difference when installing the baby car seat in the front-facing position is the position of the seat belt.
In the rear-facing position, you want the belt to fall outside the car seat to keep it in position.
However, for the front-facing position, you need to buckle the seat belt in a way that the latch belt falls inside the car seat.
Manufacturers recommend that you use one or two knees to sink the baby car seat into the vehicle’s seat.
Do not remove the pressure from the knee until you finish the infant car seat installation process.
The result is that the baby seat sinks into the car seat and sits in a comfortable reclining position.
The position is safe for the baby even in cases of emergency braking or playing during the trip.
How To Install A Toddler Rear Facing Car Seat?
As the infant matures into a toddler, the traveling needs change.
A toddler will not remain in the same reclining position for a long period unless while sleeping.
Hence, you must consider the movements when installing a toddler car seat.
If the seat is not fastened properly, the toddler will fall off even in the rear-facing position.
The advantage of the rear-facing position is that you limit the toddler’s movements.
As is the case with a baby car seat, the seat belt should fall outside the toddler’s seat. Ensure that you get the reclining position right.
Test the seat with the toddler in and without the toddler. Besides, create enough space between the front seats and back seats of the car.
Most toddler car seats are bulky and require enough space to recline.
Check for stability in the same way as with the infant car seat installation.
The seat should not move more than an inch and the belt should give an audible click when in position.
Conclusion
Traveling with an infant or toddler is only enjoyable if you have the right car seat.
However, you can purchase the right seat but risk the infant’s life if you do not know how to install it right.
Most suppliers give a manual for infant car seat installation. However, it is advisable to research further and discover the best installation process that suits your car model.
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