Car Seat Newborn Infant car seats provide an ideal and secure fit for babies. Most are "click in and snap" models that make them very convenient. The chest clip should be positioned between your baby's armpits. If the manufacturer of the seat allows the use of a tightly-rolled receiving blanket to fill in any gap between your baby's crotch strap and their bottom, to prevent sliding. Safety Seat Labels When shopping for a car seat or other baby items make sure you be sure to read the labels carefully. These labels will give you a good idea of how to use the product safely and how to take care of it properly. They can also be used to identify products that aren't legal or not authentic. Beware if, for example, you notice a marked-down price on the car seat for children. This lower price could indicate that the car seat has been played with, isn't in compliance with U.S. standards, or was designed for an overseas market. In these cases the lower price could make the car seat less secure and could result in serious injury to the child in the event of an accident. Labeling requirements for car seats are very specific. They must be met in order to pass inspections, and also to be sold legally in the United States. This includes a white label with black and red lettering that indicates the seat meets federal requirements, and an additional label on the side of the seat that lists the model number, serial number, date of manufacture and the instruction on how to use the car seat. A valid car seat also includes a manual and registration card that verify that the seat was purchased from an authorized dealer. The label of the car seat also contains information about the maximum weight and height of the child. These limits will tell you if the seat is right for your child. For instance, if your child is small and weighs under 22 pounds, then you'll need to get a rear-facing car seat. Certain seats, especially convertible seats, come with the label that tells you how to recline it correctly. It may be a line that aligns your seat with the floor or a ball in the slot of a particular. This is very important since reclining a seat could put your child at risk for injury in the event of an accident. The warning label is usually placed on the edge of the cushion. This location is preferred because it is visible when the child is riding in the seat. It is also easily readable and will not be obscured by clothing or other objects that might obscure the message. Harness Straps Whether your child is in a stroller, car seat or other carrier that is used for transport, you must ensure that their harness straps are secure and properly positioned. This is especially important in the case of infants, who are prone to slip out of the harness and be removed from the seat in the event of a crash. The 5-point harness is designed in a way it is able to connect five different points on your child's body, including the shoulders, hips, and the crotch between. This allows you to spread the force of a crash equally. Ideally, the straps should be comfortable but not too uncomfortable or tight. If you aren't sure about the fit, use the "Pinch Test". Utilizing your thumb and fingers to pinch the strap on your infant's shoulder. If the strap is tight enough that it causes discomfort, then it needs to be loosen. Many parents believe that their child's harness isn't enough tight. However, this can be more dangerous than straps that are too loose. A strap that is loose could move around the torso of your child in a crash, compressing down on their spine and potentially leading to injury or even death. If your child is a forward-facing infant the harness straps must be placed comfortably above or below the shoulders. A strap placed below the shoulder can cause the child's torso be pushed forward in a crash. This could result in them being thrown out of the car seat, or into the windshield. This can also cause them to hit their head against the shoulder restraint causing grave injuries or even death. If the chest clip of your child is located above their armpits, it's recommended to put a blanket or washcloths next to the baby as a head and neck support. This will stop them from squirming on the back seat and catching their neck in the chest clip which could lead to strangulation in the event of a car crash. Chest Clip One of the most misunderstood car seat features is the chest clip. Many parents are led to believe that it is used to secure the child in the car seat and even when properly placed, it could be a source of fear. myths associated with it (low chest clips that puncture stomachs, for example). The chest clip is not sufficient to protect your child in a crash. The crotch clip is responsible for this, so it is important to buckle the harness at your crotch rather than the chest. If a chest clip is too low, it can cause the harness straps to slide off the shoulders during a crash and possibly result in the ejection of the seat. It is recommended that the chest clip is placed at armpit height, as most car seat instructions recommend. Chest clips are designed to function as a pre-crash positioning device to help keep the harness straps on a child's shoulder and in line with their arms. When a collision occurs, it's not uncommon for a chest clip to break or slide down due to the amount of force that is applied to it during the accident however, this shouldn't affect your child's safety in any way, as long the harness is securely fastened at the crotch buckle. If your child wears blankets or jackets, be sure to remove it prior to putting on the harness since it can make it difficult for the harness straps to be being able to properly rest on their shoulders. Also, any bulky outer clothes should be kept at home if you are taking your toddler or infant for a ride in the car seat. A chest clip that is not positioned correctly may also hinder your child's ability to reach the seat belt buckle. This could be risky when they attempt to escape their seat while you're driving, and could cause them to not buckling themselves properly in a sudden stop, or a crash. Installing a buckle Guard to your car seat will deter your child from pressing the release button and releasing their chest clips. https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk/categories/baby-car-seats can be found below the baby's shoulders (when in a rear facing car seat) or above their shoulders (when in forward facing car seat). It should be as close to their body as it is possible and positioned between their legs. Baby's floppy legs are usually tucked in the crotch and do not sit in the proper position. This can impede their airway and cause them to choke or even become unresponsive in a crash. Using a crochet pattern for the buckle cover can help keep their legs in the proper place. The pattern should not contain any loose threads around the buckle. The cover should be constructed of a stretchy, soft material. For more information about your model and how to secure it you might consider consulting a child passenger safety expert. Even if you carefully follow the instructions included with your car seat, there is more to be learned. Infant car seats are specifically designed for babies and smaller infants. They are attached to a base that stays in the vehicle and can be easily removed with a single click. They are equipped with several safety features, such as an inbuilt recline indicator to ensure that the baby is sitting up straight. Many parents choose to use an infant car seats because they are convenient and portable, especially when traveling. However, it's important to note that they are only safe for use until your child reaches the maximum height and weight limits of the seat. If your baby grows out of the infant car seat, they must be able to switch to a convertible car seat. These seats are safe and have great features, such as side impact protection as well as a five-point harness. But, they're harder to move from vehicle to vehicle and take up more space than infant car seats. A large hook and size five crochet thread are needed to make a crotch buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover must be constructed to fit over the buckle of the car seat with an additional couple of inches left to drape over the edge of the car seat. Begin by making a standing sc on the first chain at the bottom of the belt. Work in sc all around the strap including the chains of the previous row. Repeat the process at the opposite end. Secure the strap and weave in ends.