Includes: Infant Car Seat (rear-facing only), Convertible Car Seat (used rear-facing), 3-in-1 Car Seat (used rear-facing) and All-in-One (used rear-facing)
Harness
There are 2 types of harnesses found on car seats:
- 5 point: A harness that comes over each shoulder, across both hips, and has one strap between the legs. All 5 parts of the harness come together at a common buckle. 5-point harnesses are considered to be the most protective type of harness.
- 3 point: A harness that comes over each shoulder with the shoulder straps coming together at the buckle on a crotch strap or in the shell of the car seat. These harnesses are found only in rear-facing car seats and are primarily found on older models.
- For use in the rear-facing position, thread the harness straps need through the slots located at or below your child's shoulders.
- Place your child in the car seat with the child's back flat against the car seat.
- Place the harness straps over the child’s shoulders. Harness straps should lie flat, not twisted.
- Buckle the harness, and the chest clip. Tighten the harness until snug. The harness is snug enough when you cannot pinch any extra material on the child’s shoulders.
- Bulky clothing or blankets can prevent a snug harness fit. Always buckle the baby in the seat first, and then place coats or blankets over the harness.
- Place the chest clip at your child’s armpit level. This holds the harness straps in place on the child’s chest and shoulders.
Recline Angle
- Babies need support to keep their airway open. As your child grows the angle may be adjusted, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions. Most car seats have built in angle indicators or adjustors to assist you.
Extra Support
- If your baby needs support, fill the empty spaces with small, rolled blankets on each side of the baby’s shoulders and head.
- If there is a gap between the buckle and your child’s groin (common for young infants), try placing a rolled washcloth or diaper in the space for a more secure fit.
- Thick padding must not be put under or behind the baby unless it is recommended for use by the manufacturer.
Includes: Convertible car seat used Forward-Facing, 3-in-1 car seat used Forward-Facing, All-in-One car seat used Forward-facing, and combination car seat used Forward-Facing with harness.
Harness
There are 2 types of harnesses found on car seats:
- 5 point: A harness that comes over each shoulder, across both hips, and has one strap between the legs. All 5 parts of the harness come together at a common buckle. 5-point harnesses are considered to be the most protective type of harness.
- 3 point: A harness that comes over each shoulder with the shoulder straps coming together at the buckle on a crotch strap or in the shell of the car seat. These harnesses are found only in rear-facing car seats and are primarily found on older models.
- For use forward-facing with a harness, thread the harness straps through the slots located at or above your child’s shoulders.
- Most convertible car seats require use of the top-most slot for the forward-facing position. These slots are reinforced to prevent the seat from failing in a crash.
- Have your child sit with his/her back and bottom flat against the car seat.
- Place the harness straps over the child’s shoulders. Harness straps should lie flat, not twisted.
- Buckle the harness, and the chest clip. Tighten the harness until snug. The harness is snug enough when you cannot pinch any extra material on the child’s shoulders.
- Bulky clothing or heavy coats can prevent a snug harness fit. Always buckle the child in the seat first, and then place coats or blankets over the harness.
- Place the chest clip at your child’s armpit level. This holds the harness straps in place on the child’s chest and shoulders.
When your child is ready for a booster seat you can safely secure your child in a booster seat, using a lap/shoulder seat belt, never a lap belt only. A booster seat raises and positions your child to help make the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt fit properly. Booster seats keep the lap belt from causing injury to the child’s abdomen and keep the shoulder belt in place to give the child upper body protection. In the event of a crash, an adult seat belt that does not fit a child properly can actually cause injury rather than prevent it because it doesn’t fit over the strong parts of the child’s body.
As with car seats, before you use your booster seat, read the instruction manual and the portion of your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Tips for Proper Seat Belt Placement
Make sure the booster seat fits flat on the vehicle seat, in the back seat.
- Have your child sit in the booster seat.
- Pull the seat belt across your child’s body and buckle the seat belt.
- Make sure the seat belt fits your child properly. If the seat comes with seat belt guides, use them to achieve good belt-positioning.
- Adjust the lap belt so it lies snugly across the child’s upper thighs, not across the stomach.
- Adjust the shoulder belt so it rests across the chest.
- Check the fit of the seat belt often.