A New Beginning

Car Seat Instructions and Safety Information

All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the seat’s manufacturer. Most convertible seats allow children to ride rear-facing for 2 or more years. Because their spine is still developing and their head is large compared with the rest of their body, your new baby is at a high risk for injury in a car crash. The safest place for your baby is securely strapped into a rear-facing car seat . These car seats cradle their head, neck, and spine. So they’re protected if the car is involved in a frontal crash — the most common type of car crash. The “best” car safety seat is the one that fits your baby and is installed correctly in your car. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the most expensive seat made — if it’s not installed properly, it may not protect your baby.

HOW TO PROPERLY SECURE YOUR BABY IN A REAR-FACING SEAT

• Your baby’s head must be 1 inch below the top of car seat shell with their back flat against the car seat. • Place harness straps over your baby’s shoulders. The straps should be snug, lie flat (not twisted), and be placed through the slots at or below your baby’s shoulders. • Buckle the harness and chest clip and tighten until snug. The harness is snug enough when you cannot pinch any extra material at the shoulder. • Bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug harness fit. Always buckle the baby in the seat first, then place coats or blankets over the harness. • Do not attach toys, wraps, etc. to the car seat.

The infant seat should not move more than 1 inch side-to-side at the seat belt pathway.

Tightly install child seat in the car’s back seat, facing the rear.

An infant seat should recline at about a 45-degree angle.

Learn how to choose, install, and keep your baby safe in a car seat at nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats .

HOW LONG SHOULD BABY STAY IN A REAR-FACING CAR SEAT?

Safety Tips:

Your baby should stay in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the top height or weight limits listed on the seat. A rear-facing car seat helps to decrease the risk of injuries in a crash because it protects the head, neck, and spine by distributing the force of a crash over the entire body.

• Only use your car seat for traveling. • Do not place car seat into shopping carts or onto soft surfaces. • NEVER keep your sleeping infant in a car seat when you are through traveling. Take them out of the car seat and place them on their back to sleep.

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A New Beginning