April 2007
Preparing your baby for a safe and comfy ride
Once you have correctly installed a car seat, follow these tips to sure your child is correctly secured in the seat:
Have your baby ride rear-facing. Babies should ride rear-facing until at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds. If your baby outgrows his infant car seat before age 1, install a convertible car seat in the rear-facing position. Don't place an infant seat in a forward-facing position; it always stays rear-facing.
Take off the wraps. If you need to keep your baby warm, place blankets or thick coats over her after you strap her into an infant or convertible car seat. Don't wrap your baby up in a blanket, thick coat or other bulky garment and then strap her into a restraint system. That may affect the restraint's integrity.
Position the harness. The harness chest clip should be fastened and positioned at your child's mid-chest or armpit level, which keeps the shoulder straps from slipping. Harness straps should be snug and straight (not twisted). If a harness is properly snug, you should not be able to insert more than one of your fingers behind it. Position rear-facing harness straps at, or slightly below, your child's shoulders. (On forward-facing convertible and booster seats, harness straps should be positioned at, or slightly above, your child's shoulders.)
Have your baby ride rear-facing. Babies should ride rear-facing until at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds. If your baby outgrows his infant car seat before age 1, install a convertible car seat in the rear-facing position. Don't place an infant seat in a forward-facing position; it always stays rear-facing.
Take off the wraps. If you need to keep your baby warm, place blankets or thick coats over her after you strap her into an infant or convertible car seat. Don't wrap your baby up in a blanket, thick coat or other bulky garment and then strap her into a restraint system. That may affect the restraint's integrity.
Position the harness. The harness chest clip should be fastened and positioned at your child's mid-chest or armpit level, which keeps the shoulder straps from slipping. Harness straps should be snug and straight (not twisted). If a harness is properly snug, you should not be able to insert more than one of your fingers behind it. Position rear-facing harness straps at, or slightly below, your child's shoulders. (On forward-facing convertible and booster seats, harness straps should be positioned at, or slightly above, your child's shoulders.)
