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I remember placing my daughter in her car seat for the first time. Although it was an infant car seat, it still seemed like I was placing her tiny body in a giant contraption. Despite the seat belt straps that held her, she never seemed snug. So, I rolled her swaddle blankets and placed them around her body, and for added protection, I kept my hands and arms near her teeny head. You could say, I was terribly — I mean, just a bit — anxious.
So, why don’t people talk about the first ride home? There are so many things to consider — the car seat position, the snugness factor, the use of blankets, and the list goes on.
To calm your fears a bit, let's hear what the experts and experienced mothers have to say about how to put a newborn in a car seat.
How to practice car seat safety: Your newborn's first car ride
Before we even get to the part where your newborn is inside the car seat, let’s discuss all of the ways the car seat needs to be situated and positioned.
- Purchase a rear-facing car seat. Twenty-three states mandate infants and those under 2 years old to be placed in a rear-facing car seat, according to the GHSA. In the event of an accident, a rear-facing car seat keeps our littles the safest.
- The middle seat of the second row is best. “For children newborn to 3 years old and all installs being equal, sitting in the center rear seat is 43% safer than sitting on the side in the back, ” mom and CPST Aime Durocher shared on her website Safe Ride 4 Kids.
- Be sure that the recline of the car seat is no more than 45 degrees. “Most newborns will require a 45-degree angle to keep their head well-positioned and their airway open,” recommends the website The Car Seat Lady. To help with this, many car seats have built-in angle indicators for identifying the right position.
- Make an appointment with a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). CPSTs can be found at your local fire department, a local hospital, or a nearby general medical facility. Be sure to call ahead to make an appointment with your local CPST.
How to place a newborn in a car seat correctly
Now that you have the car seat installed, let’s get your new baby safely strapped in. Here are ways to make sure that she is comfortably nestled in the car seat.
- Allow the head to rest to the side and avoid repositioning it forward. A side-resting position for your little one’s head is safer than a slouched-forward head as that can cause an airway restriction.
- Make the harness snug and chest clips at armpit level. When buckling your little one in their car seat, it should be snug enough to keep her upright. Crying, back-arching, gagging, or the like are signs of distress. Check the tension of the straps and seek professional assistance for further concerns.
- Avoid placing blankets behind the head and avoid thick jackets. Yes, tightly rolled blankets can be around the body of your baby to keep her comfortable. However, blankets must be kept from behind her head as that could restrict her airway. And, mamas, when it is cold, keep the blankets and jackets on top of the straps and not under them. The padding lessens the effectiveness of the car seat straps.
How long can my newborn be in a car seat?
Newborns should not be placed in a car for longer than they have to be.
“Infant car seats have been designed and tested not only to protect your baby in a collision but also to ensure that if your baby does fall asleep in the seat, the risks of slumping down chin to chest and blocking airflow are low,” Emily A. Thomas, Ph.D., and CPST, advised. Thomas is an automotive safety engineer and specializes in pediatric injury biomechanics for Consumer Reports. “Still, car seats aren’t appropriate for extended, unobserved sleep,” she further cautioned.
For the safety of your infant, follow the two-hour rule: Throughout a 24-hour period, a baby should only be in the car seat for a couple of hours.
*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
