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Infant Car Seat Safety Guide
by Darin McGilvra
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Overview
The safety of an infant should be paramount for any parent, so it is somewhat surprising that three out of four car seats on average are improperly installed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Installation is integral to the proper use of an infant car seat.
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Location
An infant car seat, or any car seat, should never be used in the front seat. Front-seat airbags are dangerous for children and can seriously injure or even kill children. Even without airbags, the front seat is too dangerous for a car seat. Place the infant car seat in the middle of the back seat. This is the safest place for the infant in the car.
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Installation
Always read the manufacturer's instructions before installing a car seat. The best way to install a car seat is to use a LATCH system, which has been required in cars that have been made after 2001. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The car seat should come with a strap for LATCH systems. It will have a hook on each end. Attach a hook to one of the anchors, which are found between the seat back and bottom cushion. Thread the strap through where the seat belt is supposed to go and then hook the other side to another anchor. Tighten the strap. The car seat or the base for the car seat should not move more than 1 inch in either direction.
Most cars made before 1996 don't have LATCH and their seat belts don't lock in place unless the car comes to a sudden stop. In this case, you will need a locking clip for the seat belt. This looks like a giant paper clip and comes with most car seats. This will lock the seat belt in place to keep the car seat secure.
If you're still unsure if the car seat is properly installed, have it inspected (see Resources).
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Usage
Since newborns have difficulty holding their head up, they should have padding around their heads to prevent them from flopping side to side. Pads for this purpose can be bought at a baby store, or you can roll up a cloth diaper, small towel or blanket and place it around the head.
If the baby's head is flopping forward, a folded towel or some other firm support can be wedged underneath the car seat to push the feet up.
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How Long?
An infant should be allowed to use a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. The baby should be at least one year old and 20 pounds before moving him to a front-facing car seat.
