This post is a part of a sponsored series. All opinions are mine.
When I was a new mom, I thought I was doing everything wrong. Feeding her wrong, dressing her wrong, changing diaper wrong, and even putting her in her car seat wrong. I remember when we were leaving the hospital, they had us put her in her car seat and I was terrified. How am I supposed to just know how to do this? I thought to myself.
Truth is, I can’t be the only one. I had friends tell me the same thing and let me tell you, that always makes a mom feel good to know that she isn’t the only one who doesn’t know it all.
Today, with the help of my friends at this friendly Texas Chrysler dealer, we’ve complied a little ‘what not to do’ list when it comes to your children’s car seats.
1. Installing it wrong. It may seem like common sense, but you should always read the instructions when installing the car seat into your car. Many times, manufacturers even have videos on their website, showing you how to install the seat correctly. It is worth the extra few minutes to make sure you are doing it right.
2. Fitting your child’s straps too loose. Your child’s chest and leg straps should be tight enough that when you pull there isn’t slack in the belt that you can pinch together.
3. Installing the car seat itself too loose. If you can jiggle the seat around in your vehicle, it’s likely too loose! Make sure you get it as secure as possible by moving it around and pulling out any slack in the straps.
4. Having your child’s chest (retainer) strap placed incorrectly. When placed correctly, the car seat’s retainer strap should be right at your child’s armpit level, resting on their breastbone. This is the safest place for the clip to rest and do it’s job!
5. Bundling your child in the car seat. Here in Minnesota, it gets cold. It’s very tempting to bundle up your child, and put them in the car seat just like that. But studies show that this isn’t the safest way to do it. In fact, the bulky coats can create extra space in the child’s chest straps making the seat less safe.
6. Transitioning the car seat too soon. Rear-facing is the safest way for children to ride in their car seats. So it’s important that you keep them rear-facing until they are maxing out the height and weight limits for their car seat. Don’t be in a rush to turn the car seat forward-facing or to transition to a booster too soon.
These are just a few of the common mistakes we all make from time to time. But by knowing what the correct procedures are, we can ultimately keep our children safer. Isn’t that the end goal, after all?
What do you have to add to the conversation? Leave a comment below.
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