Car-Seat Safety

Securing Baby in the Seat

The big moment has finally arrived. Baby is going home, and he's ready to ride in his new seat. Points to remember:

The harness straps should be tightened so that you can't get more than two fingers between the harness and the child's collarbone.

The harness retainer clip should be at the level of Baby's armpits.

The seat should be reclined at a 45 degree angle. Many infant seats come with a level indicator, which shows you when the seat is reclined at the right angle. If your infant's head is flopping forward, the seat may not be reclined enough. There are a few tricks that can help you achieve the right angle if your seat doesn't have a level indicator. If you're using the detachable base that comes with the seat, try installing the seat without it (check the manufacturer's instructions). Don't worry; the seat is just as safe used alone as it is with the base. If the seat is still too upright, wedge a tightly rolled towel under the end of the seat closest to the rear of the car.