Research shows that 46% of car seats and booster seats are used incorrectly. This is usually not due to negligence, but parents just don’t know all the details of properly installing and buckling their child into their seats. Correct car seat use is essential for all ages, but especially for newborns. If not placed in a car seat correctly, not only will a newborn not be optimally protected in a crash, but their head may fall into the chin-to-chest position that puts the baby at risk of positional asphyxia.
This probably all sounds a little scary, but don’t worry! Answering these car seat questions is exactly what Safe in the Seat is for. We provide car seat and vehicle safety information that parents can trust to have peace of mind on every single ride, even the first drive home from the hospital with your newborn. So, today, we’re sharing your guide on properly positioning your newborn in their car seat!
What’s the Correct Newborn Car Seat Position?
Newborns are delicate, and positioning the car seat correctly is essential for a safe ride every time. Getting the right position isn’t hard at all, but you need the right information to get the job done!
How To Position Newborn In A Car Seat
Step 1: Confirm your seat is a good fit for your newborn.
The first thing you need to do is confirm your car seat is a good fit for your newborn! An infant car seat is going to be a pretty safe bet, but there are other options you may encounter. Some parents choose to go straight to a convertible car seat since it’s still a rear-facing car seat and is usually marketed to work for newborns. However, not all convertible car seats actually fit small infants well! You can check out our car seat reviews to confirm your convertible seat will work well for your newborn.
(Also, if your child is born prematurely, they may need a car seat that is good for preemies or a special car seat. Your doctors will likely discuss this with you if it’s medically necessary.) Here’s more on how to choose the right car seat for your newborn.
Step 2: Become familiar with your car seat’s adjustment options.
Some car seats have more adjustment options than others. It’s important you know your car seat’s capabilities before your newborn even arrives. Read your manual to find out how/when to use the infant inserts, if the straps can be shortened, if the crotch buckle can be moved, etc.
Step 3: Ensure their back and bum are against the car seat with no gapping.
Before buckling or adjusting the straps, place the infant in the car seat with their back and bum flush against the back of the car seat. You don’t want any gapping that may cause your newborn to slouch or slide, impacting fit and baby’s head positioning.
Step 4: See if car seat harness strap covers can be removed.
Some car seats come with harness strap covers. These covers are often “nice-to-have” but not required, so check your manual to see if you can remove them. Sometimes, this will give a better fit for newborns.
Step 5: Adjust to the correct recline position based on the manual.
Some infant car seats and all convertible car seats have different recline options. These recline angles are essential for keeping your newborn in a safe position while riding. An infant needs to be leaned back further than an older child to keep the head back and the airway open. Check the manual and follow the weight and height guidelines for the appropriate recline position.
Step 6: Thread the straps at or just below the shoulders.
The harness straps should be threaded at or below your child’s shoulders. This may require you to remove the straps and re-thread them, or, in a no-rethread seat, you can adjust the height by moving the headrest. Check your manual for instructions, and double-check that the height is correct!
Step 7: Place the crotch buckle as close to the baby as possible.
If there are multiple crotch buckle position options, choose the one that puts the buckle as close to the child as possible. Check your manual for specifics about crotch buckle placement.
Step 8: Buckle the crotch buckle and move the chest clip to the armpit level.
Buckle the crotch buckle, then buckle the child’s chest clip and ensure it sits at the armpits. You may have to pull it down, so when you tighten the straps, it rises to the armpits but doesn’t press against the newborn’s neck. If you struggle to get the right height for the chest clip, removing those covers can be helpful if the manual allows them to be removed.
Step 9: Ensure the straps are snug around the legs too.
Before pulling on the adjuster strap to tighten the harness, ensure the straps near the child’s legs are snug. Do not worry about where these straps fall. They may be on the leg or the hips. Where they end up will change as the child grows. The important thing here is to avoid having extra slack in this area.
Step 10: Tighten until the straps pass the pinch test.
Tighten the shoulder harnesses until you can’t pinch the harness at the shoulders. If it’s too loose, the child may slide out of the proper position, causing positional asphyxiation and it is also dangerous in a crash.
Step 11: Shorten straps if necessary and possible.
If you can’t tighten the harness until it passes the pinch test, see if you can shorten the crotch buckle strap or harness straps to get a better, tighter fit. As always, it’s best to consult the manual or contact a Car Seat Safety Technician!
Newborn Car Seat Safety Tips
Here are some additional newborn car seat safety tips for your growing family:
- Ensure you remove the newborn insert when instructed by the manual.
- Do not use aftermarket car seat products like harness covers and head inserts.
- Look at the manual to confirm the correct positioning for the carrying handle.
- Never let your baby sleep in the car seat carrier outside of the vehicle.
- Take a break every 2 hours of driving.
- Place child in the middle back seat if possible.
- Safely swaddle your baby in the car seat if they need comfort or warmth.
- Never put your child in bulky clothing under the harness straps.
Take steps to safely position your newborn in their car seat.
Your child’s safety is the number one priority. Every drive is risky and dangerous for any vehicle occupant, but especially for a newborn baby! So, to reduce the risk of injury and keep your baby comfortable, confirm you’re positioning, strapping, and buckling your infant into their car seat correctly.
If you’re still nervous or unsure, book a consult with one of our CPSTs to have the ultimate confidence boost! For more essential car seat safety information, check out the Safe in the Seat blog.
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