New-borns in car seats – 6 things to prepare for the drive
Are you going to be parents for the first time? In this article, we have collected our best tips for preparing for the first trip you will take with your baby.
Questions answered in this article:
- Why practice installing the car seat beforehand?
- What is a good outfit for your baby when leaving the hospital?
- How do you put in and fasten your baby correctly in the car seat?
- How do you adjust the car seat to fit your child?
- Why will a Travel System make your life easier?
1. Practice installing the baby car seat in the car before the child is born
You have probably already chosen a baby car seat by now – but if not, you can read more about BeSafe’s baby car seats here. BeSafe’s baby car seats have two installation options. The first option and the one we recommend is an ISOfix base. This is an easy and flexible option that saves time every time you get in and out of the car. Alternative two is to belt the baby car seat with the car’s 3-point belt. Both options are equally safe if everything is done correctly. Whatever you choose, we recommend that you practice the installation before the baby comes so you feel safe with how to do it when you leave the hospital. Remember to always turn off the airbag if you install the baby car seat in the front seat of the car!
2. Plan what the baby should wear when leaving the hospital
If your baby is due during the colder months of the year, it might be good to plan what the baby should wear when leaving the hospital. Babies should never wear thick outerwear in their baby car seats. Rather let them wear regular clothes and use a footmuff (adapted to be used in baby car seat without compromising on safety). Footmuffs are available in different variants, we recommend the crash-tested Voksi® Move during the winter months and during the warmer months Voksi® Move Light or the Voksi® Baby Wrap, which is a baby blanket designed to use in baby car seats. Voksi® is BeSafe’s sister brand and you will find more information about their products on their website.
3. How to place and fasten the baby correctly
- If you have a baby car seat with belt magnets, start by releasing and loosening the belts of the seats completely (as shown in the user manual), open up the buckle and hang the belts onto the magnets, so that you have plenty of free space to place your baby in.
- First tighten the hip belts by pulling the shoulder belts upwards. Then pull the central belt strap straight outwards to tighten the shoulder belts. While tightening, use your other hand to keep the shoulder belts close together, so that they cannot slip off the newborn’s shoulders. The seat belt should be tight over the baby’s chest, and you should not be able to fit more than one finger between the seat belt and the baby (1 cm).
- Fasten the seat belts tightly! It is more dangerous if the child is too loose if an accident occurs. A padded 5-point belt is the best, it stabilizes the baby and keeps them safe.
4. Adjust the baby car seat to fit your child
All children are different, and therefore we at BeSafe have developed baby car seats that adapt as your baby grows. For example if you use our BeSafe iZi Go Modular i-Size, some children don’t need the extra head cushions when they are newborn or can only use them for a few weeks/months while others have them for several months. Certainly remove the cushion inserts on both sides from the headrest when the child is older than approx. 3 months or if the head is not fitting between them comfortably anymore. These cushion inserts can be removed by opening the velcro on the back of each headrest side. Remove the baby cushion (bottom part) when the child is taller then 60 cm, or over 4 months. Remove the baby cushion (bottom part) and body hugger (upper part) when the child is taller than 65 cm, or over 6 months. Also, remember that you can raise the seat belts as the child grows and they should always be at 90 degrees in relation to the child’s shoulders. But remember, as all children are different, these numbers are all just approximate – adapt to your child so it’s as comfortable and safe as possible.
5. How long will a baby be able to sit in their baby car seat?
One question we often get is how often to stop and let the baby take a break from sitting in the baby car seat. Newborn babies should not sit for more than approx. 1 hour in a baby car seat, older babies not more than approx 1 1/2 – 2 hours to avoid them sitting in the same curved position for too long, as their muscles are not fully developed yet. If you are unsure about your specific situation, we recommend you to always consult with your midwife.
6.Use your baby car seat with a Travel System
You can easily turn most baby car seats into a Travel System by using adapters that allow you to click the baby car seat onto your pushchair chassis. To find out which adapter fits your pushchair, please contact your pushchair manufacturer. A Travel System can make everyday life easier during the child’s first months, allowing you to hop in and out of the car when running errands without having to move them between the car and the pushchair. But do of course keep in mind not to keep them in the baby car seat for too long – a Travel System should not replace a pushchair!
Thanks to these six tips, we hope you will feel better prepared for the first trip with your baby. Follow us on Instagram for more tips!
Checklist – What you will need during your baby’s life regarding safety in the car:
- Pregnancy belt – From week 8 until the baby is born. Read more about why you should use a pregnancy belt >>
- Baby Car Seat – From when the baby is born until approx. 6-12 months. Read more about how to know when is time to change car seats >>
- Toddler Car Seat – From approx. 6 months until approx. 4-5 years. Read more about why you should let your child travel rear facing as long as possible>>
- High Back Booster Seat – From earliest 4 years until approx. 12 years. Read more about high back booster seats >>
